So while I'm sure there are always ways to improve a system I wanted to balance my ROI. I chose the 14 Seer system over the 16 Seer because the ROI would be more than 10 years based on my location. I saw where he was perhaps hoping to upsell based on efficiency but he wasn't able to show the ROI over the long haul and annoyed me in his dwelling on petty code details.
Have to laugh a little. Assuming the 16 SEER was a two stage compressor, NO ONE will ever be able to show you a ROI going from 13/14 SEER to 16 SEER. You sell a two stage system on comfort, not payback.
Here's another hint on 16 SEER equipment. If you have existing ductwork and the contractor is out there for a retrofit and even tries to sell you 16 SEER equipment without going over the duct loss in the existing ductwork, RUN. Chances are, older ductwork (10 years or older) will HAVE to be replaced if you are to utilize the 16 SEER eff.
PB, I am curious, did your contractor do a load calculation on your house?
Also, curious if you went with variable speed? (with 16 SEER it probably would of been a must).
A good HVAC contractor will always do a load calculation on the house he's looking at to determine the correct size system for the house.
A good HVAC contractor sells comfort, not temperature control. There is a difference, believe me.
A good HVAC contractor will also always give you a "good, better, best" scenerio with the equipment line he's selling along with add on accessories (such as zoning, humidifiers/dehumidifiers/whole house air quality/fresh air ventalators...) that may be needed for your particular situation, and explain those differences to you as well as pricing.