Even though the recession was technically over several years ago, and some economic indicators point to a modest recovery, HVAC contractors remain cautious, as evidenced by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)'s December Contractor Comfort Index (CCI), which measured 53.
Weighted and averaged into one number, a CCI of 50 or above reflects anticipated growth. The number for December 2011 was lower than 12 months earlier, when the CCI was 61.

It’s a tough crowd of consumers out there these days, and the uncertain economic climate is certainly playing a role in their behavior. According to distributors, consumer behavior is leading to a drop-off in the replacement market, as well as a drop-off in the high-end market. Yet despite these worrisome trends, distributors are still seeing areas of growth and employing smart tactics to keep their businesses in good shape.