Westport, Connecticut, USA, 5 December 2018: HVACR manufacturers reported positive 2018 sales growth, according to the latest AHR Expo and ASHRAE Journal Annual Economic Outlook Survey, the cosponsors said in a Press communiqué. The AHR Expo is co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI. Last year’s confidence in the industry’s economic outlook is forecasted to carry into 2019, with 87% of respondents anticipating positive business prospects heading into the new fiscal year, the communiqué said.

According to the cosponsors, the report indicates that the HVACR market is primed for continued business growth. Reports for 2018 are at an all-time high, with 44% of respondents reporting a significant sales increase of more than 10% year-on-year; this is up from the 2017 record of 35%, the communiqué said.

Clay Stevens, Manager, AHR Expo, said: “This is considerable data confirming the continued growth of our industry, even amongst market shifts and issues facing professionals. The AHR Expo is a catalyst for this business growth, as engineers, contractors, manufacturers and other professionals from all facets come together to share ideas that advance the industry.”

The communiqué said respondents expect to see steady growth across all market segments, in the areas of: residential, light commercial, heavy commercial, schools, non-school institutional buildings, office buildings, lodging, manufacturing/industrial, data/telecom centers, hospitals/healthcare, restaurants/hospitality and laboratories/cleanrooms. The communiqué further said, of these, lodging is forecasted to experience the fastest growth, with projections up 10% from last year at 64%. The communiqué added that overall sector growth predictions are up in comparison to last year as well, with positive outlooks across all markets at nearly 60% or better forecasts for excellent or good growth projections for 2019.

For the third year, the report shows a shift in potential market drivers for business, with retrofit and renovations taking the lead for 2019 at 36% – up nearly 10% from last year, the communiqué said. Previous years saw prospects for new construction, which was the highest rated in 2018; and maintenance and replacement in 2017, the communiqué further said.

As expected, reliability remains the most important customer requirement when making buying decisions, the communiqué said. Responses indicate a steady rise in energy efficiency and indoor air quality as close second top-rated factors for purchase decision-making, the communiqué further said. Energy efficiency saw the most growth, up 6% to more than 96% of respondents ranking it ‘important’ to ‘very important’ in their considerations, the communiqué also said. This aligns with the responses for most important trend or issue with potential impact for businesses in 2019 – leading the charge is the Internet of Things (IoT) and the rise of connected buildings as they relate to energy efficiency and smart control, the communiqué added.

The communiqué said issues of concern are reported as rising tariffs and the need to hire more professionals across the HVAC industry.