A mixed bag: HVAC shipments’ mid-year check

While the release of July’s HVAC shipment figures is due in September, mixed realities across central air conditioner, heat pump, and gas furnace shipments have emerged through June, per the latest available data. 

A quick spot check: 

What’s up: From January through June, manufacturers shipped nearly 2.1 million heat pumps, a four percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to AHRI data.

• Despite being outsold by heat pumps — now for the fourth consecutive year — just over 1.6 million gas furnaces were also shipped during the period, a 13 percent increase from the same months last year. 

What’s down: As of June, manufacturers had shipped roughly 2.5 million central air conditioners, an eight percent drop from the first half of 2024.

• Of note: The combined number of AC and heat pump shipments through May had been positive, compared to last year, primarily due to heat pumps’ growth. 
• But June brought declines in both AC and heat pump shipments — heat pumps’ first monthly drop this year — reversing the trend, dragging the combined six-month figure to a now-three percent decrease versus 2024. 

Why it matters: The release marked the first time since at least 2010 that HVAC manufacturers shipped fewer ACs and heat pumps in June than in May. 

• What’s next: July’s peak-season shipment figures are expected to be released on Friday, September 12.