Is there a difference between a 14.5 SEER rating and a 16? I am sure there is, but what exactly? We recently had our home built and our contract states we purchased a 16 SEER unit however when we walked to the outside unit it is clearly marked as a 14.5. We spoke with the builder and were informed that they added "something", unsure as to what, inside to bring the SEER rating up to a 16. Is that possible?

16 seer minus 14.5 seer+1.5 seer, lol,, kidding, seriously. it would take 40 years for you to make up the difference you might see in your electric bill,, 14.5 would be just as good

You may be looking at what it is at its lowest seer rating and not what it is rated for with your indoor unit. You can take a 16 seer unit and put it with a lower seer blower section and it becomes a 14 seer system. I'm the one that will pick up the dime,quarter or nickel that the one in front of me dropped that is to lazy to pick up. The 16 seer and 14 seer can be the same unit (same cost)different blowers.