AHRI released April 2026 U.S. heating and cooling equipment shipment data, reporting higher combined U.S. shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps, while several water heater and furnace categories declined year over year. Combined shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps reached 837,098 units, up 5.1% from 796,279 units in April 2025.
U.S. shipments of central air conditioners increased 8.0% to 456,210 units, compared with 422,275 units in April 2025. Air-source heat pump shipments increased 1.8% to 380,888 units, compared with 374,004 units a year earlier.
Residential gas storage water heater shipments decreased 1.6% to 361,801 units, while residential electric storage water heater shipments decreased 4.3% to 430,591 units. Commercial gas storage water heater shipments increased 10.4% to 8,814 units, while commercial electric storage water heater shipments decreased 7.8% to 14,602 units.
Gas warm air furnace shipments decreased 4.9% to 251,401 units in April 2026. Oil warm air furnace shipments increased 32.1% to 2,477 units.
Year-to-date combined shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps decreased 3.5% to 2,773,432 units. AHRI said the data represents shipments to customers within the fifty United States and District of Columbia, whether produced domestically or imported.
