New "Fedral Gummint" AC SEER minimum, etc

Hi,

There was a feature on tv news here last nite, said that
the federal minimum on SEER ratings for AC units would
increase from 10 to 13 as of Jan. 1, 2006. Also implied
or stated the following:

a.) New 13+ SEER units cost lots more.
b.) Are lots bigger (condensing unit).
c.) Folks should consider buying the old stuff now,
to avoid higher cost and "Gawd Knows What Else".
Implies a rush on the old stuff.

Is this accurate info?

I have been out of the AC equipment loop for a
long time:

1.) What refrigerants are used in the old stuff?
2.) What refrigerants are used in the new stuff?

What are the HVAC vendors doing? Pushing the new for
the additional revenue? Or could it be they are
promoting scare tactics to promote sales of the
old stuff?

Any/all discussion of the old vs new stuff would be
much appreciated. "Los Federales" have made a hideous
mess of this kind of thing before, don't know why
they wouldn't again.

Thanks,
Puddin'

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