HVAC buying indicator holds steady in February

The share of U.S. consumers who felt it was a good time to buy large household durables — an indicator of HVAC purchasing intent — in February was unchanged compared to the month prior, according to the latest available data. 

What’s happening: In the University of Michigan’s popular consumer survey, when asked whether now is a good or bad time to buy ‘major household items,’ 32 percent of respondents across all ages and income levels in February said it was a good time — the same as January and up from 29 percent in December 2025.

• Meanwhile, the share of respondents who felt it was a bad time to buy during the month also remained flat from January at 65 percent. The remaining three percent of consumers said they were uncertain. 

Of note: The January-February figures mark the highest good-time and lowest bad-time readings since November 2025. 

What they’re saying: The two most-selected reasons among those who felt it was a bad time to buy in February were “Prices are high” and “Times are bad; can’t afford to buy,” while the top two reasons among those who felt it was a good time were “Prices are low; good buys available” and “Prices won’t come down; are going higher.”