Air Conditioning - Rheem, 9 year old unit went bust

Just found out that our 9 year old Rheem 10 Seer, 4 ton unit decided to spring a freon (R22) leak and will have to be replaced in its entirety. The indoor handler replacement unit we are told is almost non-existent and the HVAC company cannot find a replacement part. So, that means we will need to by a new unit asap. I truly hate to be taken, particularly by companies that are looking for business these days. Does it sound right that they will be unable to find a replacement indoor handler for us as it is 10 years old and our only option is to buy an entirely new system? any info is greatly appreciated.

You should be able to find a coil! Id call another company.

Nonsense, call around, they are looking for $$$$.

Thank you for your quick responses...we thought that too and what is even more annoying is that they are the company that came out last June, 2008 and serviced the system...as they always have over the past 9 years...wouldn't they have seen that the coils were corroded and tell us that? When I asked the tech, he said he didn't know why they didn't tell me that last year...so, now, we find ourselves in a very expensive situation.

Call several local contractors and have them send out salesmen/estimators to do a load calculation, then give you ball park figures for a system.
Sometimes it's best to have a matched condensing unit and air handler. Besides, now you can go for a high efficiency system and get a rebate from Uncle Sam. (Varies by state).
Tom Beer 4U2

Have you had any drywall work done inside your house over the last few years. The china made drywall gives off sulpher fumes and eats the copper coils up in no time. Reminds me of a picture that shows a workman holding a broken chain on big machine sprocket the caption reads (It is obviously a Electrical problem) Those HVAC people should have known that our coils are going to begin leaking. ARGH

Thanx for the tip, Former. I wouldn't have thought of that, but will remember it in the future!
Tom Beer 4U2