What should I replace

I have a 2 story 2,600 house that is 17 years old. It has the original contractor grade heating ans A/C in it. The upstairs a/c already has a freon leak and I have had to refill it with freon. I have decided to replace it now while I can afford it instead of waiting for it to go out totally or having to keep putting freon in it. Both a/c units are 10 seer, which are woefully inadequate. I have been discussing a 14 or 16 seer wit the a/c contractors I have met with. They have given me proposals for replacing just the upstairs and for replacing both up and downstairs. I can save about $1000 by replacing them both now. At age 17, I figure both of them will need replaced in the next 2 or 3 years.

I will probably keep the house at least 5 more years.

 

......and your question is ?

If you have the money..... then by all means replace them both. No reason to not start saving on energy asap.

New units are a definite plus when selling the house.

 

With the quality, or better yet lack of quality I've seen with the new units, I never recommend replacing a good running machine regardless of age. As far as the one that's leaking freon, it would depend on where it was leaking. I always do a quick leak check and often find a relatively easy repair like a rusted out drier. In today's world nine out of ten companies just want to sell new if they have any chance to.

 

I don't like to fix things either unless it is already bad. but since they are 17 years old, and one of them leaks already, plus you can save some money if you replace both, also you can save on utility bills too. So PJ may be right, go ahead replace both. The only concern I have is the timing. Now is the most expensive season to fix or replace AC units. Most of the time, you can save 15-20% if you do it in the Winter. So, it is up to you. get several estimates, hopefully you can get a good deal.