Why it matters to you
Houston's long run of 90°F-plus afternoons, about 111 days a year at Bush Intercontinental, is exactly when EER2 describes performance, so it is a useful second number when comparing systems even though Texas does not require a minimum. It hints at how hard a system works on the hottest days, when the grid is under the most strain.
Practical guidance
Read EER2 from the AHRI Directory listing for the exact matched indoor and outdoor pair you are quoted. Use it as a tiebreaker between systems with similar SEER2 ratings, not as a legal threshold in Texas.
Sources
- eCFR, 10 CFR 430.32 — Energy and water conservation standards
- U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Standards FAQ (October 5, 2022)
- NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Houston Intercontinental Airport (USW00012960)
- AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance