While the Euro crisis continues to affect the air conditioning market here, worldwide sales were up 13 per cent last year, according to a new report from BSRIA.
The world market for air conditioning increased from $78bn in 2010 to US$88.2bn in 2011, Europe struggled to recover, although sales of all splits were up last year. Chiller sales are down though there is an increasing AHU market, says the report, due to a need for more ventilation under EU building regulations requiring increased air tightness. Sales of AHU with heat recovery are also increasing.

The Americas, like Europe, were the worst affected by the economic crisis in 2009 but is now showing signs of recovery. Stronger growth is witnessed in Brazil. Market conditions in the Middle East, Africa and Indian subcontinent continue to remain positive.

Asia Pacific is still the largest world region in terms of air conditioning sales with $48.2bn or close to 55 per cent of the world market in 2011. Within the region, China and Japan represent the biggest markets, with 83 per cent by value of the market.

Apart from the sales, Asia represents the major production hub with around 70 per cent of the world's air conditioners were produced in China in 2011.

More information on the World Market for Air Conditioning can be found at www.bsria.co.uk/wmi