Benefiting from energy efficiency upgrades mandated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s SEER standard 13 requirements for residential air conditioners and heat pumps, the HVAC market supply look to surpass $18 billion by 2010, according to market research firm SBI.

The market supply for HVAC equipment experienced great growth in 2005 reaching a value of $13.3 billion and only continues to grow. Unitary air conditioners and ground source heat pumps lead the growth for domestic shipment values.

Continued market growth is projected due primarily to the increase in residential and non-residential construction markets on the up rise. In 2004, while household purchases experienced a small decrease, purchasing rates increased to 14% among people who bought a home the pervious year and 13% among those undertaking a major home improvement.

“Increased energy efficiency in new units and retrofits along with increased interest in newer conditioning modalities such as whole-house ventilation systems, geothermal HVAC systems and underfloor air distribution systems (UFADs) are helping to stimulate interest in the market,” notes Tatjana Meerman, Managing Editor of SBI. “At the same time, the SEER 13 standard and newer technologies are making for superior products, which are winning favor with both consumers and contractors.”