The latest quarterly survey by Assoclima - Anima Confindustria federated air conditioning system manufacturers association - for 2021 does not present any surprises and confirms the situation seen in the previous months: All the product categories analyzed show signs of recovery compared to the same period of 2020, with three-digit percentage increases in some cases. The only negative sector is that of transferable air conditioners, which stops at -16.6% in volume and -13% in value.

The most interesting data are recorded in the centralized sector: For air-cooled hydronic equipment, the Assoclima survey reveals overall increases of 154% in volume and 97% in value (cooling + heating). The growth of hydronic heat pumps also continues in the fourth quarter: For models with powers below 17 kW, mainly intended for the residential sector, 2021 closes with increases of 187% in volume and 184% in value. Positive trend also for heat pump machines in the higher power ranges (from 18 to 900 kW), with an overall increase of 166% in volume and 118% in value.

Less striking are the data relating to water-cooled liquid chillers: Assoclima survey reveals growing numbers both for reversible and heating-only heat pumps (+ 15% in volume and + 8% in value) and for cooling and heating versions (+ 13% in volume and + 19% in value).

The trend recorded in the previous months for air handling units was also confirmed in the last quarter of the year, with a 12% increase in value and a 2% decrease in volume, and for residential mechanical ventilation systems (+59 % by volume and + 47% by value). The data relating to standard type fan coils, with and without casing, cassettes and hi-walls, is growing, closing 2021 with + 40% in volume and + 48% in value.

Positive data also for the direct expansion sector, with two-digit incremental percentages for single-split air conditioners (+ 24% in both volume and value), multi-split systems (+ 20% in volume and + 29% in value) and miniVRF and VRF (+ 26% in volume and + 30% in value). 

Packaged and rooftop air conditioners gain a few percentage points compared to the same period of 2020, which recorded growth of 1% in volume and 9% in value at the end of December 2021.