HVAC equipment market in the U.S.-—forecasts here through 2011. Demand in the U.S. for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is expected to increase 3.2 percent per year to a total market value of $16.8 billion in 2011. Strong gains in nonresidential construction will be a key driver in the HVAC marketplace. 

The report notes that new construction of single-family housing units may drop from 2006 to 2011, but that almost three-quarters of residential HVAC demand is attributable to replacement units.

Shipments of heat pumps will remain strong through 2011, says the Freedonia report.  Heat pump shipments in the U.S. reached $2.1 billion in 2006, and accounted for 43 percent of total heating equipment shipments.

Unitary air conditioners, meanwhile, will remain the leading type of cooling equipment in total shipments through 2011, predict Freedonia analysts.