The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) reported that U.S. shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps increased 11.4% in August 2026, reaching 756,739 units compared with 679,378 units in August 2025. The figures were published on October 9, 2026, as part of AHRI’s monthly heating and cooling equipment shipment report.
Central air conditioner shipments rose 17.2% year over year to 418,323 units, compared with 356,930 units in August 2025. Air-source heat pump shipments increased 5.0% to 338,416 units, up from 322,448 units in the previous year.
For January through August 2026, combined shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps reached 6,390,257 units, an increase of 6.2% from 6,019,962 units during the same period in 2025. Central air conditioner shipments increased 6.5% to 3,481,613 units, while air-source heat pump shipments rose 5.7% to 2,908,644 units.
Shipments of gas warm air furnaces declined 4.3% in August to 287,710 units, while oil warm air furnace shipments increased 27.1% to 3,052 units. Residential gas storage water heater shipments decreased 1.9% to 299,710 units, and residential electric storage water heater shipments fell 1.6% to 368,402 units. Commercial gas and electric storage water heater shipments declined 6.9% and 3.8%, respectively.
AHRI compiles its statistics from data supplied by member companies participating in its Statistics Program. The figures cover shipments to customers in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, including domestically manufactured and imported equipment. AHRI defines a shipment as a transfer of ownership and does not provide market forecasts or publicly available state-level shipment data.
