
United States Central Air Conditioning Systems (CAC) Market Trends and Outlook
The U.S. Central Air Conditioning (CAC) Systems manufacturing industry demonstrated remarkable resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, achieving an 8.4% year-over-year growth in production to reach 7.8 million units. This robust performance underscored the industry's adaptability amidst significant challenges. On the supply side, operational restrictions posed hurdles, but strong residential demand sustained growth. Historically low interest rates and rising disposable incomes in 2020 fueled residential construction activity, further boosting industry sales. Many consumers directed increased income towards home improvements, including HVAC upgrades. Conversely, the non-residential construction sector experienced reduced demand for commercial spaces due to the pandemic's impact.
Demand for CAC systems continued to climb in 2021 and 2022, driven by the recovery of both residential and commercial construction and government-led renovation initiatives. Shipments rose by 8.4% in 2021 and stabilized at a 1.4% growth rate in 2022. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022 provided a significant boost, as the legislation introduced $9 billion in home energy rebate programs and a decade-long tax credit for energy-efficient technologies like heat pumps, rooftop solar panels, and high-efficiency HVAC systems. These measures, alongside rising product prices, propelled the value of U.S. CAC shipments to a record $20 billion in 2022.

In 2023, demand softened due to economic uncertainty, escalating construction costs, and higher interest rates, which collectively slowed construction activity across the region. The sharp rise in interest rates, beginning in mid-2022, dampened housing demand, reducing the need for CAC systems. As a result, shipment values declined to $16.5 billion in 2023.
However, the industry rebounded in 2024, with production growing by 8.1% to reach 7.8 million units. Looking ahead, the U.S. unit shipments of CAC systems are projected to grow from 7.8 million units in 2024 to 11 million units by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% during this period. The shipment value is expected to increase at a CAGR of 7.2%, reaching $27.6 billion by 2030. This growth will be primarily driven by heightened sales of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems and heat pumps, reflecting the ongoing demand for energy-efficient cooling solutions.
Major companies operating in the United States Central Air Conditioning Systems market include Carrier Global Corporation, Daikin U.S. Corporation, Johnson Controls Inc (York), Lennox International Inc., Nortek Global HVAC LLC, Rheem Manufacturing Company, and Trane Technologies among others.
United States Central Air Conditioning Systems Market Analysis by Product Segment
The market for United States Central Air Conditioning Systems by product segment analyzed in this report include Direct Exchange (DX) CAC Systems (Split AC Systems, Packaged AC Systems, Heat Pumps), and Central Plant Systems (Chillers, Cooling Towers, Air Handling Units, Fan Coil Units). DX CAC Systems is the largest segment in terms of volume shipments in the United States Central Air Conditioning Systems market with a share of 95.3% in 2024 and anticipated to post a healthy CAGR of 6.2% between 2024 and 2030 in reaching 10.7 million units in 2030, driven mainly by robust growth in Heat Pumps production in the United States. Among Central Plant Systems, Chillers corner the largest share of the United States Central Air Conditioning Systems market in terms of shipments value, estimated at 47.5% in 2024, followed by Air Handling Units.

United States Central Air Conditioning Systems Market Report Scope
This United States Central Air Conditioning (CAC) Systems report analyzes the market size based on annual unit shipments by domestic Central Air Conditioning Systems manufacturers. This market report analyzes US Central Air Conditioning Systems volume shipments and shipments value by product segment and sub-segment for the period 2021-2030. In addition to providing profiles of major companies operating in the United States HVAC industry, the latest corporate and industrial developments have been covered to offer a clear panorama of the United States HVAC industry.
Key Metrics
Historical Period: | 2021-2023 | |
Base Year: | 2024 | |
Forecast Period: | 2024-2030 | |
Units: | Volume Shipments in units and Value market in US$ | |
Companies Mentioned: | 20+ |
United States Central Air Conditioning Systems Market by Product Segment
- DX AC Systems
- Packaged Central Air Conditioning Systems
- Shipments by Cooling Capacity (Btuh)
- Under 33,000 Btuh
- 33,000 to 53,999 Btuh
- 54,000 to 64,999 Btuh
- 65,000 to134,999 Btuh
- 135,000 to 184,999 Btuh
- 185,000 to 249,999 Btuh
- 250,000 to 319,999 Btuh
- 320,000 to 379,999 Btuh
- 380,000 Btuh and over
- Split System Central Air Conditioning
- Shipments by Cooling Capacity (Btuh)
- 27,000 to 32,999 Btuh
- 33,000 to 38,999 Btuh
- 39,000 to 43,999 Btuh
- 40,000 to 53,999 Btuh
- 54,000 to 64,999 Btuh
- 65,000 to 96,999 Btuh
- 97,000 to 134,999 Btuh
- 135,000 to 184,999 Btuh
- 185,000 to 249,999 Btuh
- 250,000 to 319,999 Btuh
- 320,000 to 379,999 Btuh
- 380,000 to 539,999 Btuh
- 540,000 to 639,999 Btuh
- 640,000 Btuh and over
- Heat Pumps
- Air Source Heat Pumps
- Shipments by Type/Capacity (Btuh)
- Packaged:
- Under 27,000 Btuh
- 27,000 to 41,999 Btuh
- 42,000 to 64,999 Btuh
- 65,000 Btuh and over
- Split System:
- 27,000 to 41,999 Btuh
- 42,000 to 64,999 Btuh
- 65,000 Btuh and over
- Ground Source Heat Pumps
- Water Source Heat Pumps
- Central Plant AC Systems
- Chillers
- Centrifugal Chillers
- 200 hp and under
- 201 to 400 hp
- Over 400 hp
- Reciprocating, Screw and Scroll Chillers
- 20 hp and under
- 21 to 49 hp
- 50 to 75 hp
- Over 75 hp
- Absorption Chillers
- Cooling Towers
- Air Handling Units
- Draw-Through Units
- Blow-Through Units
- Fan Coil Units
- Horizontal Units
- Vertical Units
- Vertical Stack Units
United States Central Air Conditioning Systems Market Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
US Central Air Conditioning Systems market in terms of unit shipments is estimated at 7.8 million units in 2024.
Registering a CAGR of 7.2% during 2024-2030 period, shipment value of Central Air Conditioning Systems in US is projected to reach around US$27.6 billion by 2030.
DX AC Systems (consisting of Split AC Systems, Packaged AC Systems, and Heat Pumps) is the leading product segment with a share of 82.6% of total shipments value in 2024.
Heat Pumps are the fastest growing product segment in the United States Central Air Conditioning Systems market, anticipated to post a CAGR of 9.4% in terms of volume shipments during 2024-2030.
Leading manufactures of Central Air Conditioning Systems in the United States include Carrier Global Corporation, Daikin U.S. Corporation, Johnson Controls Inc (York), Lennox International Inc., Nortek Global HVAC LLC, Rheem Manufacturing Company, and Trane Technologies among others.
PART A: THE UNITED STATES CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS MARKET
1. INTRODUCTION
- Product Segmentation
- Central Air Conditioning Systems
- Direct Expansion (DX) Central Air Conditioning Systems
- Components of DX Central Air Conditioning Systems
- Evaporator
- Compressor
- Expansion Valve
- DX AC Systems Equipment Type
- Packaged Central Air Conditioning Systems
- Split System Central Air Conditioning
- Ductless Multi-Split Systems
- Heat Pumps
- Air Source Heat Pumps
- Ground Source Heat Pumps
- Direct Geoexchange Heat Pumps
- Water Source Heat Pumps
- Central Plant/Chilled Water Central Air Conditioning Systems
- Components of Central Plant/Chilled Water Air Conditioning Systems
- Chiller (Central Plant)
- Air Handling Units or Fan Coil Units
- Air Ducts
- Cooling Tower
- Central Plant AC Systems Equipment Types
- Chillers
- Reciprocating Chillers
- Screw Chillers
- Centrifugal Chillers
- Absorption Chillers
- Cooling Towers
- Air Handling Units
- Draw-Through Units
- Blow-Through Units
- Fan Coil Units
- Horizontal Units
- Vertical Units
- Vertical Stack Units
2. ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS
3. KEY MARKET TRENDS
4. INDUSTRY LANDSCAPE
- AAON, Inc.
- Bard Manufacturing Company, Inc.
- BROAD USA, Inc.
- Carrier Global Corporation
- Daikin Applied Americas Inc.
- Daikin U.S. Corporation
- Dunham-Bush Americas
- ECR International Inc
- Evapco, Inc.
- Fujitsu General America, Inc.
- Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. (Daikin)
- Johnson Controls Inc (York)
- Lennox International Inc.
- LG Air Conditioning Technologies
- Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC
- Motivair Corporation
- Multistack LLC
- Nortek Global HVAC LLC
- Panasonic Corporation of North America
- Rheem Manufacturing Company (Paloma Co. Ltd.)
- Trane Technologies
- Yazaki Energy Systems, Inc.
- YMGI Group
5. KEY BUSINESS & PRODUCT TRENDS
6. THE UNITED STATES MARKET OVERVIEW
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
- United States Direct Expansion (DX) Systems Shipments Overview by Sub-Segment
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
- United States Split AC Systems Shipments Overview by Cooling Capacity
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
- United States Packaged AC Systems Shipments Overview by Cooling Capacity
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
- United States Heat Pumps Shipments Overview by Type
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
- United States Air Source Heat Pumps Shipments Overview by Cooling Capacity
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
- United States Central Plant AC Systems Shipments Overview by Sub-Segment
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
- United States Chillers Shipments Overview by Type and Capacity
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
- United States Air Handling Units (AHU) Shipments Overview by Type
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
- United States Fan Coil Unit Shipments Overview by Type
- Unit Shipments Analysis
- Shipments Value Analysis
PART B: GUIDE TO THE INDUSTRY
PART C: ANNEXURE
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- FEEDBACK
AAON, Inc.
Bard Manufacturing Company, Inc.
BROAD USA, Inc.
Carrier Global Corporation
Daikin Applied Americas Inc.
Daikin U.S. Corporation
Dunham-Bush Americas
ECR International Inc
Evapco, Inc.
Fujitsu General America, Inc.
Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. (Daikin)
Johnson Controls Inc (York)
Lennox International Inc.
LG Air Conditioning Technologies
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC
Motivair Corporation
Multistack LLC
Nortek Global HVAC LLC
Panasonic Corporation of North America
Rheem Manufacturing Company (Paloma Co. Ltd.)
Trane Technologies
Yazaki Energy Systems, Inc.
YMGI Group
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