ARLINGTON, VA — Shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps reached a record 6,685,481 units in 2000 compared to 6,647,071 units a year earlier, a 1% increase, according to Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) statistics. Heat pump shipments of 1,339,435 units set a new single-year record with a 4% increase over 1999.

For the month of December, combined shipments of 326,537 central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps were down 21% compared to 99. Heat pump shipments for December totaled 88,430, down 4% compared to the previous year.

December factory stocks were down 27,612 units from November, but were up 77,744 units from December 99.

Distributor inventories for December decreased 10,596 units from November; they were up 27,854 units from the year before. December distributor shipments declined 16% from a year ago. For the full year, shipments were up 1%.

Publication date: 02/19/2001