U.S. Appliance Shipment Statistics: 2nd Quarter 2010 Edition

Moving into the second quarter of 2010, the U.S. major appliance industry had experienced at least six months of unit shipment growth after three years of appliance industry recession. Rebate-stimulated housing and appliance sales, in part, made this period of recovery possible.

During this second-quarter period, most of the U.S. State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs (SEEARP) were launched. Consumer demand for these rebates was so strong that program funds were exhausted within days of inception, many on the same day. An estimated $1.3 billion in consumer spending was stimulated by these rebates.

April 2010 was an extremely strong month for all major appliance and HVAC categories compared to April 2009. Refrigerator shipments were up 37.8% and even microwave ovens, a struggling segment, improved 9.5%. Air-source heat pump and unitary air-conditioner shipments were up 30.1% and 22.3% respectively.

In May 2010, most major appliance segments grew in factory unit shipments compared to May 2009, though only one of four major HVAC categories that showed growth in April still generated growth in May.

Major appliance shipments for the month of June seemed to be a middle ground for the quarter with growth not as strong as previous months. HVAC segments all returned to positive growth territory.

Overall, the first six months of 2010 indicated that the U.S. appliance industry was clearly on a growth track with nearly all AHAM and HVAC categories showing unit shipment growth. Appliance OEMs reported strong U.S. appliance business in the second quarter of 2010. Whirlpool Corp. said sales for their North America business were $2.5 billion, up 4% from the prior year, and shipments increased 7%.

Moving into the third quarter of 2010, the two industry stimulators would essentially be non-factors, making long-term industry recovery difficult to predict. The appliance industry is encouraging Congress to renew SEEARP in order to continue to spur the U.S. economy, promote American manufacturing, and reduce energy use and American dependence on foreign oil.