Start with conditions, not a product
In a climate this humid, oversizing for heat and undersizing for moisture removal is the most common mistake — the fix starts with a real load calculation, not a rule of thumb.
Build a complete scope
- A load calculation for this house, not a swap of the existing tonnage
- Duct condition and leakage in unconditioned attic space
- How upper and lower floors are zoned, which drives most comfort complaints
- Humidity control, since oversizing satisfies temperature and not moisture
- Electrical work, permits, commissioning readings, and warranty registration
Cary context
Cary's humid subtropical summers push latent-load (humidity) removal to the front of the sizing conversation in a way a drier climate wouldn't require.