Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 75% of air-conditioning and warm air heating equipment and commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturing businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 5.7%.

75%
5-Year Survival Rate
+0.2%
Net Growth Rate
1,260
Total Firms
73
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing a Good Business to Start?

With a 75% five-year survival rate, air-conditioning and warm air heating equipment and commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturing has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 5.7% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)5.5%
Exit Rate (closures)5.7%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-0.2 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

9.0%
Job Creation Rate
8.8%
Job Destruction Rate
+0.2%
Net Job Growth

The industry is adding jobs faster than losing them — a positive sign for both workers and new business owners looking to hire. Total employment: 147,271 workers across 1,260 firms.

Want to know how much air-conditioning and warm air heating equipment and commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturing businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of air-conditioning and warm air heating equipment and commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturing businesses fail?
Approximately 25% of air-conditioning and warm air heating equipment and commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturing businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 5.7%, with 73 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the air-conditioning and warm air heating equipment and commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturing industry growing or shrinking?
The air-conditioning and warm air heating equipment and commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment manufacturing industry is currently stable with a net job creation rate of +0.2% per year. New businesses are entering at 5.5% while 5.7% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.