Air Conditioning - New Air Handler Old Condenser

I have a 20 year old central A/C system with a leak in the air handler coil. One repair company told me they can put in a new coil or complete new handler without having to change the condenser unit and if the condenser fails in the future they can put in a new condenser and still use the new air handler. Another company told me both the air handler and condenser must now be changed since a new handler or coil will not have the same efficiency as the condenser and therefore will not be compatable. Who is right.

Thanks, Ron

You always want to go with a matched system if you can. To replace a 20yr old A/H and not the cond. unit would be foolish IMHO.

My advise would be to get a few quotes from differant contractors on a complete new system, at 20 yrs old it is well past its expected life. Plus, you would be able to take advantage of the federal tax credits.

Unless you plan to sale the house and move soon, I agree with Dun11. A complete new system not only they match right, they are much more efficient compare to a 20 year old system (I expect it uses 40-50% less electricity than the old one)
and the new ones these days use different type of freon, it will be hard to match in a few years.

I plan to sell the house in about 1 year

I understand you plan to put the house on the market in about a year. However, if you change the coil now the have the comp go bad your right back to square one. Unless it is strictly a $ issue I would not recommend it.