ACiQ 3 Ton Evaporator Coil | 17.5" Wide Multi-Positional A-Coil w/ TXV | R454B (EAM5X36M17A)
Check current price on AC Direct →
Key features
- 3-ton capacity with 17.5-inch wide cabinet fits common air handler and furnace cabinets
- Multi-positional A-coil installs upflow, downflow, or horizontal to match your equipment layout
- Factory-installed TXV meters refrigerant for efficiency across varying load conditions
- Rated for R-454B refrigerant, compliant with current EPA low-GWP requirements
- Sold direct from ACiQ with no dealer markup built into the price
- Covered under ACiQ's 12-year parts warranty when registered
About this system
The ACiQ EAM5X36M17A is a 3-ton, 17.5-inch wide multi-positional A-coil designed to work with a matching air handler or furnace as the indoor half of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump. Its multi-positional design means it can be installed upflow, downflow, or horizontal, which suits a broad range of mechanical room layouts without requiring a separate coil for each orientation. The coil ships ready for R-454B refrigerant, the low-GWP replacement for R-410A that major manufacturers have moved to under updated EPA rules, so it is compatible with current-generation condensing units and avoids the future serviceability headaches that come with pairing new equipment to legacy refrigerants.
A factory-installed thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is the detail that separates this coil from builder-grade alternatives. The TXV meters refrigerant flow in response to actual load rather than relying on a fixed orifice, which keeps the system operating closer to its rated efficiency across a wider range of outdoor temperatures and partially loaded conditions. For a homeowner, that means less risk of the efficiency shortfall that fixed-orifice coils can introduce when conditions drift from the design point. The 3-ton capacity and 17.5-inch cabinet width make this coil a practical fit for homes in the 1,500 to 2,200 square foot range, depending on climate, insulation, and duct design. It suits anyone replacing an aging coil on a newer R-454B-compatible condenser or building out a complete matched system around ACiQ outdoor equipment.
The EAM5X36M17A delivers a TXV-equipped, R-454B-ready evaporator coil at a price that undercuts name-brand equivalents by a meaningful margin, making it a solid budget-conscious choice for straightforward replacement or new-system builds. The 12-year warranty is competitive, and the multi-positional design adds genuine installation flexibility. The main trade-off is that ACiQ is a newer brand without long-term independent reliability data, and the undisclosed manufacturer makes parts cross-referencing harder if something goes wrong.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- Factory TXV included at a price point where some competitors charge extra or omit it
- Multi-positional cabinet reduces the risk of ordering the wrong coil for your layout
- R-454B compatibility future-proofs the coil against tightening refrigerant regulations
- 12-year parts warranty with no dealer markup is strong for the price tier
- Early owner feedback points to solid build quality and responsive ACiQ support
Trade-offs
- ACiQ is a newer brand and Consumer Reports has not yet assigned a long-term reliability score
- The actual manufacturer is undisclosed, which complicates parts sourcing and service history lookup
- No dealer network means service depends entirely on independent contractors who may not stock ACiQ-specific parts
- Long-term coil integrity and leak rates have not yet been validated by independent third-party data
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Homeowners who have installed ACiQ equipment generally report that units arrive well-packaged and that the direct-sale process is straightforward. Early feedback on evaporator coils and matched systems points to quiet operation and no immediate quality concerns out of the box. ACiQ’s customer support is frequently cited as responsive, which matters given the absence of a dealer network to handle disputes. That said, the honest caveat running through every forum thread is the same: the brand is new enough that nobody can speak to five- or ten-year coil integrity with confidence, and Consumer Reports has not yet collected sufficient long-term data to assign a reliability score. The undisclosed manufacturing origin, while almost certainly a major OEM given the build quality, does create real friction when a contractor tries to look up a part number or cross-reference a service bulletin.
Among HVAC professionals, the reception is mixed in a predictable way. Contractors who sell and install equipment themselves tend to be skeptical of direct-sale brands because it removes them from the supply chain. Independent technicians who are called in for service-only work tend to be more neutral, noting that the physical hardware appears well-made but flagging the same parts-sourcing uncertainty that end users report. The specific failure modes to watch for in any evaporator coil at this price tier are refrigerant coil leaks over time, condensate drain pan cracking, and TXV slugging in systems where refrigerant charge is not set precisely at startup. None of these have been documented as ACiQ-specific patterns yet, but they are the categories worth monitoring as the brand accumulates a longer field history.
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 | EAM5X36M17A | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance Series CNPVP3617ALA | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Noticeably higher than ACiQ |
| Trane | Spine Fin 4TXCB003DS3HC | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Higher than ACiQ, mid-to-premium tier |
| Lennox | Merit Series CH35 (3-ton, 17.5-inch) | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Higher than ACiQ, mid-tier |
Competitor rows are comparable single-stage units at similar efficiency; price is relative position, not a quote.
Questions about this system
Will this coil work with my existing R-410A condenser, or do I need a new outdoor unit too?
This coil is designed and rated for R-454B refrigerant and should not be charged with R-410A. If your existing condenser is an R-410A unit, you would need to pair this coil with a new R-454B-compatible condenser. Mixing refrigerant types or using a coil rated for one refrigerant with a system charged with another can void warranties and damage equipment.
What air handler or furnace cabinet widths does the 17.5-inch coil fit?
The 17.5-inch cabinet width is a standard dimension that fits most residential air handlers and furnaces with a matching 17.5-inch or compatible cased cabinet opening. You should confirm the cabinet width of your air handler before ordering, since coil widths of 14, 17.5, 21, and 24.5 inches are not interchangeable without modification.
Does the TXV need to be adjusted after installation, or is it factory-set for this coil?
The factory-installed TXV is pre-set and internally balanced for the coil's rated capacity, so no field adjustment is typically required during a standard installation. Your installing technician will still need to verify superheat and subcooling readings after charging the system to confirm the refrigerant charge is correct.
How do I register for the 12-year warranty, and does it transfer if I sell my home?
ACiQ requires product registration through their website within a specified period after installation to activate the full 12-year parts warranty. Warranty transferability to a subsequent homeowner should be confirmed directly with ACiQ at the time of registration, since transfer terms vary and are not always automatic.
If the coil develops a leak down the road, will local HVAC contractors be able to get parts?
Because ACiQ does not publicly disclose its manufacturer, your contractor cannot easily cross-reference the coil to a parent brand parts catalog. Replacement parts would need to come through ACiQ directly or through distributors that carry the ACiQ line, which may mean longer lead times compared to sourcing parts for a Carrier or Trane coil locally.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 3 Ton |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Model | EAM5X36M17A |