Window A/C units or central air

[Keegan Darby]

We have an offer in for a MFH with window a/c units. The MFH was built in 1934. Would you leave the window units, or pay the $6k+ per unit for central air? 

The tenants currently pay all utilities. The units rent at $700/each. 

[Jeff Copeland]

Window units are great from a PM perspective - they are cheap and easy to replace. But they are also ugly, noisy, and expensive to run, so it depends a lot on the class of property and what your goals for the property are in terms of repositioning.

It isn't always as simple as just slapping in a central unit; Electrical panel and/or service upgrades are sometimes needed, and you need attic or crawl access for duct work and returns, as well as a place for the air handler to go (which often means giving up a closet). 

A nice middle of the road option is a ductless mini-split.