ARLINGTON, Va. - The combined total of U.S. factory shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps in March 2010 was 461,446, 162,971 of which were heat pumps. The March 2010 combined number represented a 2 percent decrease from a revised total of 472,958 units shipped in March 2009, while March 2010 heat pump shipments increased 0.6 percent from a revised total of 161,966 units in March 2009.

However, year-to-date central air and heat pump shipments both showed solid gains. Year-to-date U.S. shipments of central air conditioners increased 6 percent to 645,606 units in March 2010, compared with a revised total of 608,751 units in March 2009. Year-to-date U.S. shipments of heat pumps increased 7 percent in March 2010 to 385,717 units, compared with a revised total of 360,036 units shipped in March 2009.

March 2010 brought major gains for both gas and oil warm air furnaces. Gas warm air furnace shipments increased 17 percent to 186,963 units in March 2010, compared with 160,339 units shipped in March 2009. In March 2010, oil warm air furnace shipments increased 18 percent to 3,958 units, up from 3,337 units shipped in March 2009.

Year-to-date furnace shipments showed substantial growth. Year-to-date U.S. shipments of gas warm air furnaces increased 21 percent to 506,856 units in March 2010, compared with 418,338 units shipped in March 2009. Year-to-date U.S. shipments of oil warm air furnaces increased 33 percent to 13,319 units in March 2010, compared with 9,988 units shipped in March 2009.

Publication date:05/10/2010