Like many others on this forum, I am seeking advice on what to do with my current home air conditioning situation. I have a 3200 sq foot home and the downstairs unit, a 12 year old cheap Goodman 4-ton has a bad leak in the evaporator coil.

I live in the Central SW where we have very hot summers and relatively cold winters.

Again it is a 12 year-old SEER10 unit with a matching 80% gas furnace. Nothing is certain but we plan on staying here at least another 7 years

Options:

*Replace only the bad coil with a 'future-proof' R-410 SEER13 compatible coil. - about $1800 now and a new unit likely sometime in the next 1-5 years. Unit would still be SEER 10 until replaced of course.

*Replace everything but the heater. SEER 13 'better' brand around $4000

*Replace a/c and heater SEER 13 and another 80% furnace 'better brand'around $5800

*Replace a/c and heater SEER 13 and another 80% furnace with a 'cheap' Janitrol/Goodman type brand around $4200

*Go for it and get a SEER 17 or higher variable speed a/c and a 90%+ heater - $9500+

Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.