Feb. 1, 2006: Unitary Shipments For 2005 Again Break Record
ARLINGTON, Va. - For the fourth consecutive year, HVAC manufacturers shipped a record number of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps, announced the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), exceeding 8.6 million units in 2005, up 16 percent from the just over 7.4 million units shipped in 2004. Annual shipments have exceeded 5 million units every year since 1995.
According to ARI, the strong economy, continued growth in housing starts, and rebuilding in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast all contributed to another record year for America's air conditioning and heat pump manufacturers. December's robust shipment total - more than 590,000 units, a 45 percent increase from December 2004 - was due in part to a last minute flurry of shipments prior to the Jan. 23, 2006 commencement of the new 13 SEER minimum efficiency standard. Manufacturers were clearing out the remaining 10 SEER units to make room for the new, more efficient models.