Perhaps the most overlooked, yet potentially troublesome, aspect of the new 13 SEER minimum efficiency regulation, is the fact that some contractors' vehicles will no longer be able to accommodate the larger, higher-efficiency equipment. Some vans, for instance, may have been able to fit smaller, 10-SEER units. But will they fit something 40-percent larger through their doors?
Remember, the size increase is not limited to the main condensing unit. Indoor coils also will be larger, and also will need to be carried to the jobsite. You just plain won't be able to fit as much equipment into your vehicle this time next year, as you have been this year.