Originally Posted by
gary_g
Since you run the a/c 3/4 of the year, I would go with the highest EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) that you can get. Note that I wrote EER and not SEER. In Houston, you don't have the fantasy cooling season that is represented by SEER.
An EER of 12 minimum is what you should be looking for regardless of SEER. In my opinion, a 14 SEER / 12 EER provides the best combination of purchase price and true operating costs. If $$ are not an issue, then go for the 16+ SEER as long as the EER is 12 minimum.
Additionally, you want a system that provides full cooling btu's. Example: a 3-ton system should provide 36,000 btus of cooling, not 33,000. Some systems are weak on btus.
Good luck.