"Howie" wrote in message
...
I am shopping around for a central air conditioner that will be installed
in
our 850 sq. ft home... any advice?

Howie

Get the best installer you and find. Then the highest seer that you can
afford.
Try this site for comparisons.

http://198.147.238.24/ac_calc/default.asp

Granted you do not have an system now but you can look at cost/savings
pretty easily.

Attic insulation is always a good idea and pretty reasonable compared to
some of the other things a home needs.