ACiQ 60000 BTU Gas Furnace – 96% Two Stage Variable Speed Multi-Positional (G96VTN0601714A)
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Key features
- 96% AFUE two-stage gas valve for high efficiency and reduced fuel costs
- Variable-speed ECM blower motor for quiet, even airflow and lower electrical draw
- Multi-positional cabinet: upflow, downflow, or horizontal installation
- 60,000 BTU output suited to small-to-mid-size well-insulated homes
- Ships factory-direct with no dealer markup built into the price
- 12-year parts warranty included without registration surcharges
About this system
The ACiQ G96VTN0601714A is a 60,000 BTU, 96% AFUE two-stage gas furnace with a variable-speed ECM blower motor. That combination puts it squarely in the upper tier of residential efficiency without climbing to the 98%+ condensing units that carry a significant price premium. At 96% AFUE, roughly 96 cents of every dollar spent on natural gas becomes usable heat, which is a meaningful improvement over the 80% units still common in older homes and generally meets or exceeds most utility rebate thresholds.
The two-stage gas valve runs on a lower first stage roughly 70% to 80% of the time, cycling up to full 60,000 BTU output only during peak cold snaps. That translates to longer, quieter run cycles, more even room temperatures, and reduced temperature swings compared to single-stage furnaces. The variable-speed ECM blower complements the two-stage burner by ramping airflow gradually rather than blasting on at full speed, which cuts electricity consumption and reduces the cold-air-blast feeling common at startup. Multi-positional configuration means the cabinet can be installed upflow, downflow, or horizontal, giving contractors flexibility in tight utility rooms, crawlspaces, and attics.
This unit is best suited to mild-to-moderately cold climates where a 60,000 BTU output matches a well-insulated home in the 1,500 to 2,200 square foot range, though proper Manual J load calculations should always determine sizing. It appeals most to buyers who want near-top-tier efficiency and variable-speed comfort features at a price below the Carrier, Trane, or Lennox equivalents, and who are comfortable sourcing independent contractor service rather than leaning on a branded dealer network.
The ACiQ G96VTN0601714A delivers genuine two-stage, variable-speed performance at a price that undercuts established name brands by a noticeable margin, and early owner feedback on comfort and quietness is encouraging. The honest caveat is that the brand is relatively new, Consumer Reports has not yet assigned it a reliability score, and the undisclosed manufacturer makes parts cross-referencing less straightforward than with a Carrier or Trane unit. Buyers who prioritize upfront savings and can vet a competent independent installer will likely find real value here; those who want decades of public reliability data and a local dealer network should weigh that gap carefully.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- 96% AFUE places it among the most efficient residential gas furnaces available
- Two-stage burner plus variable-speed blower provides noticeably quieter and more even heating than single-stage units
- Factory-direct pricing undercuts comparable-spec name-brand furnaces without sacrificing the core components
- 12-year parts warranty is competitive with premium brands and requires no dealer to register
- Multi-positional design simplifies installation across a wide range of home configurations
Trade-offs
- No long-term reliability data exists yet and Consumer Reports has not ranked the brand
- The actual manufacturer is undisclosed, which complicates parts sourcing and service history cross-referencing
- Sold direct rather than through a dealer network, so finding a trained, familiar technician requires extra vetting
- As a newer brand, resale appeal and contractor familiarity lag behind Carrier, Trane, and Lennox
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Early owner commentary on ACiQ furnaces, including this 96% two-stage series, clusters around three themes: the units run noticeably quieter than the single-stage furnaces they replaced, startup calls to ACiQ support have generally been described as responsive, and the direct-to-consumer pricing felt like real savings compared to dealer-installed name brands. Consumer Reports has not yet assigned ACiQ a reliability score due to insufficient long-term field data, which is the single most important caveat any honest observer can offer. The brand is new enough that no one can point to a ten-year track record of compressor longevity or heat exchanger durability the way they can with Carrier or Trane.
Among HVAC technicians, the conversation about ACiQ and similar direct-to-consumer brands tends to center on two practical concerns specific to this product category. First, because the manufacturer is not disclosed, a technician who encounters an unfamiliar failure cannot quickly pull up a cross-referenced service bulletin from a known parent brand. Second, variable-speed ECM blower motors and two-stage gas valves are more complex than single-stage components, and when something does go wrong on a unit without an established dealer support chain, lead times on replacement parts can be longer than on a fully stocked name-brand line. Neither concern is a reason to dismiss the unit outright, but both are worth factoring into the decision alongside the genuine upfront savings and the solid 12-year parts warranty.
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 | G96VTN0601714A | N/A (gas furnace) | Two-stage | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance 96 (59TP6) | N/A (gas furnace) | Two-stage | Moderately higher than ACiQ |
| Trane | S9V2 (XR95 series) | N/A (gas furnace) | Two-stage | Moderately to notably higher than ACiQ |
| Lennox | EL296V | N/A (gas furnace) | Two-stage variable-speed | Notably higher than ACiQ |
Competitor rows are comparable single-stage units at similar efficiency; price is relative position, not a quote.
Questions about this system
Is 60,000 BTU the right size for my house, or should I go up to 80,000 BTU?
BTU sizing depends on your climate zone, insulation levels, window area, and home layout, not square footage alone. A proper Manual J load calculation is the only reliable method; a 60,000 BTU furnace is commonly appropriate for a well-insulated 1,500 to 2,200 square foot home in a moderate-to-cold climate, but oversizing causes short-cycling and humidity problems, so do not guess.
Who actually manufactures this furnace, and does it matter for parts?
ACiQ is AC Direct's house brand and the underlying manufacturer is not publicly disclosed, though forum discussion has pointed to the ICP and Carrier family without confirmation. It matters practically because a technician cannot quickly cross-reference the unit to a sister-brand parts catalog, so sourcing replacement components may require going through ACiQ directly rather than a local distributor.
How do I find a qualified installer since ACiQ does not have a dealer network?
ACiQ sells direct, so you will need to hire an independent licensed HVAC contractor. Look for contractors who are NATE-certified, ask specifically whether they have worked on ACiQ or ICP-family equipment, and confirm they can handle the permit and inspection process in your area. Getting at least two bids is advisable.
What does the 12-year warranty actually cover, and are there registration requirements?
The 12-year warranty covers parts and is included with the unit without a dealer registration surcharge, which is a meaningful advantage over brands whose warranty length depends on contractor registration. You should still review the warranty documentation for labor exclusions and conditions around licensed installation, as labor costs are typically not covered by manufacturer warranties regardless of brand.
How much quieter is a variable-speed two-stage furnace compared to a standard single-stage unit?
A single-stage furnace fires at full capacity every cycle, producing an audible blast of air at startup and a louder overall noise profile. This unit's variable-speed ECM blower ramps up gradually and its two-stage burner operates at reduced capacity most of the time, which results in a noticeably lower and more consistent sound level. Early owner reviews of ACiQ furnaces frequently cite quiet operation as a standout characteristic, though individual results depend on duct design and installation quality.
Specifications
| Furnace output | 60000 BTU |
| Furnace efficiency | 96% AFUE |