ACiQ 80000 BTU Gas Furnace – 96% Two Stage Variable Speed Multi-Positional Communicating (G96CTN0801714A)
Check current price on AC Direct →
Key features
- 96% AFUE two-stage gas valve for high-efficiency, even-heat operation
- Variable-speed ECM blower motor for quiet airflow and lower electricity use
- Communicating control board compatible with matching ACiQ systems and select thermostats
- Multi-positional cabinet installs upflow, downflow, or horizontal
- 80,000 BTU capacity suits mid-to-large homes in moderate to cold climates
- 12-year parts warranty included with no dealer markup
About this system
The ACiQ G96CTN0801714A is an 80,000 BTU, 96% AFUE two-stage gas furnace with a variable-speed ECM blower and a communicating control board. At 96% AFUE it qualifies as a high-efficiency unit, meaning only four cents of every fuel dollar escapes through the flue rather than heating your home. The two-stage gas valve fires at a reduced rate during mild weather and ramps to full capacity on the coldest nights, which translates to longer, steadier run cycles, more even temperatures from room to room, and less short-cycling wear on the heat exchanger.
The variable-speed blower is the other headline feature. Unlike a single-speed motor that simply blasts air on and off, the ECM motor ramps up and down to maintain consistent airflow, which keeps humidity in check, reduces the audible on-off surge most homeowners associate with older furnaces, and cuts blower electricity consumption significantly. The communicating board allows this furnace to share real-time data with a compatible communicating thermostat or matched ACiQ air handler, giving installers finer diagnostic access and giving the system tighter capacity matching. The multi-positional cabinet can be installed upflow, downflow, or horizontal, which broadens its fit across attics, closets, crawlspaces, and basement utility rooms.
This furnace is aimed at budget-conscious homeowners who want near-top-tier efficiency and modern blower technology without paying the premium that comes with a Carrier, Trane, or Lennox badge. It fits best in a new construction project or a full system replacement where a qualified contractor can set up the communicating controls from scratch. Because ACiQ is sold direct, the price-to-feature ratio is genuinely strong, but buyers should go in knowing that long-term reliability data is still accumulating and that parts sourcing can require more legwork than with an established dealer-network brand.
The ACiQ G96CTN0801714A delivers genuinely competitive efficiency and feature content for the price, and its 12-year warranty is stronger than many name-brand equivalents at this tier. The honest caveat is that the brand is new enough that long-term reliability is still an open question, and the direct-sale model means parts and service require more owner involvement than a traditional dealer-network furnace.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- 96% AFUE places it among the most efficient two-stage furnaces on the market
- Variable-speed ECM blower provides noticeably quieter, steadier airflow versus single-speed units
- Communicating board enables detailed diagnostics and tighter system integration
- 12-year parts warranty ships standard without dealer registration games
- Multi-positional cabinet fits a wider range of home configurations than upflow-only competitors
Trade-offs
- No long-term reliability data exists yet; Consumer Reports does not rank ACiQ due to insufficient history
- Undisclosed manufacturer makes cross-referencing parts, service bulletins, and repair histories harder for technicians
- Direct-sale model means finding a contractor comfortable servicing a brand outside the traditional dealer network takes extra effort
- Communicating controls add setup complexity and require a compatible thermostat to unlock full system benefits
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Early owner feedback on ACiQ gas furnaces clusters around three themes: quieter-than-expected operation once the variable-speed blower settles into a steady run, straightforward communication with ACiQ’s customer support team when questions arise, and satisfaction with the price paid relative to what name-brand quotes were coming in at. Consumer Reports has not yet assigned ACiQ a reliability score because the brand is too new to have the long-term field data their methodology requires, so early enthusiasm has to be weighed against the absence of a track record. Contractors who have installed ACiQ equipment report that the units arrive well-packaged and that the installation process is familiar to anyone who has worked on comparable equipment, though some note they had to contact ACiQ directly to clarify communicating-board wiring specifics that would have been covered in a dealer training for a traditional brand.
On the service side, the two most cited concerns are practical rather than catastrophic. The first is the undisclosed manufacturer: a technician called in for a repair cannot easily cross-reference the unit against a known OEM’s service history or pull familiar branded parts from a local supply house, which can slow down diagnosis and add cost. The second is the direct-sale structure itself, which means there is no local dealer with skin in the game to resolve a warranty dispute quickly. Neither issue is a reason to walk away from the furnace, but buyers who want the smoothest possible ownership experience should budget time to identify a qualified independent contractor before purchase, confirm that contractor’s comfort level with the brand, and keep ACiQ’s support contact information on hand for any warranty parts situation that arises down the road.
Sources: Consumer Reports heat pump ratings, HVACDirect on the ACiQ brand, AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance, U.S. DOE appliance and equipment efficiency standards.
How it compares
| Brand | Comparable model | SEER2 | Stage | Price position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACiQ | G96CTN0801714A | N/A (furnace only) | Two-stage | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance 59TP6 (96% two-stage) | N/A (furnace only) | Two-stage | Moderately higher, with established dealer network and long reliability record |
| Trane | S9V2 (96% two-stage variable-speed) | N/A (furnace only) | Two-stage | Higher, with broad contractor availability and extensive long-term field data |
| Lennox | EL296V (96% two-stage variable-speed) | N/A (furnace only) | Two-stage | Comparable to higher, with strong dealer service infrastructure and documented reliability history |
Competitor rows are comparable single-stage units at similar efficiency; price is relative position, not a quote.
Questions about this system
Does the communicating feature require a special thermostat, and what happens if I use a standard one?
Full communicating capability requires a compatible communicating thermostat, such as ACiQ's own matched controller or a select few third-party units. With a conventional thermostat the furnace will still operate, but you lose the real-time diagnostic feedback and tight capacity coordination that the communicating board is designed to provide.
Who actually manufactures this furnace, and can a technician get parts for it?
ACiQ is AC Direct's house brand and the underlying manufacturer has not been publicly disclosed, though industry forums have speculated about ties to the ICP and Carrier family without confirmation. Parts are available through ACiQ directly, but a technician who expects to look up a familiar OEM service history or pull parts from a local wholesaler may hit a dead end, so it is worth confirming parts availability in your region before purchasing.
Is 80,000 BTU the right size for my home?
Furnace sizing depends on your climate zone, square footage, insulation quality, and window area, not a simple rule of thumb. A Manual J load calculation by a licensed HVAC contractor is the only reliable way to confirm that 80,000 BTU is appropriate; an oversized furnace will short-cycle and reduce comfort even at 96% efficiency.
How does the 12-year warranty work when there is no dealer network?
ACiQ ships a 12-year parts warranty with the unit, and claims are handled through ACiQ directly rather than through a local dealer. You will need to retain your purchase documentation and have a licensed contractor perform the installation to keep the warranty valid, and any warranty parts replacement will typically require coordinating with ACiQ's support team before your contractor orders components.
Can this furnace be installed in a horizontal position in a tight attic or crawlspace?
Yes, the multi-positional cabinet is rated for upflow, downflow, and horizontal installations, which is one of its practical advantages over single-orientation units. Your installer should confirm that adequate clearances for combustion air, flue venting, and filter access are maintained in the chosen orientation, as attic and crawlspace installs add complexity around condensate drainage and freeze protection.
Specifications
| Furnace output | 80000 BTU |
| Furnace efficiency | 96% AFUE |