The big news, though, was the new 13-SEER residential air conditioner minimum efficiencies, for this seemed to have a greater impact on equipment designs and pricing than I had imagined. And while some companies appeared to be ready with new technology, others just made their equipment much larger, and few technical improvements were noticeable.
I went up to one booth to look at the manufacturer's new 13-SEER system and asked the company spokesman, “Is this your 5-ton condensing unit?” And I was shocked when he told me, “Oh no, that's our new 1-1/2 ton unit.”