HVACR Distributors Report Best Back-to-Back Months in 4 Years

Sales at heating and cooling equipment distributors had their best back-to-back months in four years, according to a trade group survey. Sales rose 7.6% in August, and over the 12 months through July, annual sales were up 3.4%. An industry analyst said part of the August jump came from a simple weather quirk: this August was warmer than normal in most regions, while last August had been cooler than usual, making the year-over-year comparison look stronger.

This is wholesale distribution data, not retail pricing, so it does not directly tell you what a new furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump will cost at your house. But strong demand across the industry can be a sign that equipment and installation availability, and potentially pricing, are shifting, which is worth keeping in mind if you are planning an HVAC replacement or upgrade soon.

The report also tracked how quickly distributors' customers are paying their bills, a measure called Days Sales Outstanding. That figure stayed under 37 days in August, about the same as July and in line with last summer, which the analyst said shows no unusual financial stress in the supply chain. He called the recent sales growth a welcome bit of good news given broader concerns about inflation and interest rates, which can affect financing costs for home upgrades.

There is no new rebate, incentive, or program mentioned here. This is simply a snapshot of how the HVAC supply business is performing right now.