Watsco, Inc., Coconut Grove, FL, an independent distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration products, reported sales for the second quarter 2009 were $405 million, down 21% from second quarter 2008. Profit declined 37.5% to $16.3 million.

For the first six months, sales were $696 million, a 22% decline over 2008. Profit decreased 55.2% to $15.1 million.

Lower demand due to economic conditions, new housing declines and a late start to the cooling season offset gains from a richer mix of high-efficiency air conditioning systems.

"We are pleased to see the continued trend toward high-efficiency and environmentally-friendly air conditioning systems, especially in this current economic backdrop," said Albert H. Nahmad, president and CEO. "We experienced higher unit …