AHRI reports 6.7% May rise in U.S. AC and heat pump shipments
U.S. shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps reached 919,685 units in May 2026, up 6.7% from 862,129 units in May 2025, according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.
Central air conditioner shipments increased 10.2% to 523,132 units from 474,519 units a year earlier. Air-source heat pump shipments rose 2.3% to 396,553 units from 387,610 units.
For the first five months of 2026, combined shipments declined 1.2% to 3,693,117 units. Central air conditioner shipments fell 3.4% to 1,955,106 units, while heat pump shipments increased 1.4% to 1,738,011 units.
Gas warm-air furnace shipments decreased 6.3% year on year in May to 265,734 units, while oil warm-air furnace shipments increased 12.2% to 1,871 units.
AHRI defines a shipment as the point at which a unit transfers ownership; consignments are excluded. The data covers shipments to customers in the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, including domestically produced and imported equipment.