Would an AC Unit by any other name still be an AC Unit?

The one question we had during our Pre-Con meeting that wasn't answered was about how many AC units we would be getting and what their capacities were.  The pull sheet was ambiguous and I wanted to make sure I didn't get 1 unit that would be running constantly and die just outside warranty.  I also didn't want to finish more of the basement and have it work that much harder.

Our PM was on top of this and got us answer the very next morning.  The pricing manager said we would be getting one unit.  I was a bit puzzled by this for a few reasons.  One is that the High Hopes for our Highgrove Blog got two units and the math wasn't working out.

I'm not an HVAC Engineer but I can read the side of the box, just like the salesman at Best Buy.  Our house is listed at 3,500sqft (before adding 4" Extensions and Finished Basement).  Depending on Heat Load (a factor calculated based on Square Footage, Region, Building Materials, Occupants, etc.), the rule of thumb is 1 nominal ton or 12,000 BTU's of cooling per 600 sq. feet.  Give me a second while I take my shoes off to count.  ~3,600sqft = 6 tons or 72,000 BTU's.  In reality with the basement we are closer to 5,000sqft (never asked what our final square footage was).  So we would need  8 tons or 96,000 BTU's.

Emailed PM with picture from referenced blog above and just asked if he could verify because it didn't' sound right.  Again, got right on it and received the answer.  We do get 2 units but we get a 2 Ton and 2 1/4 Ton unit = 4 1/4 tons and 51,000 BTU's.  So we are getting nearly 50% of the cooling required for this sized house.  Hmmm????

The manufacturer's specifications match the math above, yet the engineer in Maryland that designed the house said this is appropriate.  Remember the factors that go into Calculating Heat Load?  Seems as if the Cooling Requirements throughout the country may have some variation and the HVAC pro's should determine what is required for each specific area.

Energy Star 3.0...
Question?  If you put all Energy star stuff in your house, does it mean you are Energy Efficient?

OBTW, the Energy STAR folks say the # should be 12,000 BTU's per 450-550sqft and says to add 10% if there is no shade, which we do not have yet.
http://www.energystar.gov/?c=roomac.pr_properly_sized

These units are 14 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).  The SEER measures air conditioning cooling efficiency.  It is calculated by the cooling output for a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input during the same time frame. A higher SEER rating means greater energy efficiency.

An interesting Fact.  Comfort Maker (The Company RH uses), sells units between 13 SEER and 22 SEER.  Another interesting fact.  The 13 SEER model is NOT Energy STAR compliant but the 14 SEER is.  So just barely meeting the requirement.

Now back to the original question.  If these undersized units are working like dogs all the time (even though they are Energy STAR compliant), will our units really be Energy Efficient?  I think it would be like putting a Go Cart motor in a 3/4 Ton pick-up.  While the Go Cart would get great gas mileage in a little aluminum frame, I doubt it would be able to move the big truck and would eventually burn itself up.  Much like our units will...probably just outside their warranty period.