ACiQ 3 Ton Evaporator Coil | 21" Wide V-Coil w/ TXV | R454B (EVD5X36M21A)
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Key features
- 3-ton nominal capacity V-coil in a 21-inch wide cabinet
- Factory-installed TXV metering device for active refrigerant flow control
- Rated for R-454B refrigerant, compliant with low-GWP industry transition
- V-coil geometry increases heat-transfer surface area vs. same-width A-coil
- Ships 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 EVD5X36M21A is a 3-ton, 21-inch wide V-coil evaporator coil designed for R-454B refrigerant, the low-global-warming-potential replacement refrigerant that new split systems are increasingly shipping with as the industry moves away from R-410A. If you are replacing an older air handler or pairing this coil with a new R-454B-compatible condensing unit, this coil is the indoor half of that refrigerant circuit. The TXV (thermostatic expansion valve) metering device is factory-installed, which means the coil actively regulates refrigerant flow based on real-time load rather than relying on a fixed orifice, producing more consistent cooling and better efficiency across a range of outdoor conditions.
The 21-inch cabinet width places this coil in a common footprint that fits many standard air handler cabinets and furnaces with a nominal 3-ton capacity, but you should verify cabinet width and coil orientation against your existing equipment before ordering. The V-coil design increases surface area relative to an A-coil of the same cabinet width, which improves heat transfer and can reduce restriction across the coil face. This coil suits homeowners who are retrofitting an R-454B system on a budget, contractors outfitting a new installation, or anyone who wants to stay ahead of refrigerant regulations without paying name-brand prices for a component that largely performs as a commodity once correctly matched and installed.
The ACiQ EVD5X36M21A offers a straightforward, R-454B-ready evaporator coil at a price well below comparably specified name-brand options, and the factory TXV is a genuine value-add at this price tier. The main trade-offs are the unverified manufacturer lineage, limited long-term coil-leak data, and the reality that sourcing warranty parts through independent contractors rather than a dealer network adds friction if something goes wrong.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- R-454B compatibility future-proofs the installation against refrigerant phase-out
- Factory TXV included, avoiding a separate purchase and installation step
- V-coil design provides more surface area than a same-width A-coil for better heat transfer
- Significantly lower purchase price than Carrier, Trane, or Lennox equivalents
- 12-year parts warranty is competitive with or better than most name-brand coil coverage
Trade-offs
- Manufacturer identity is not disclosed, making cross-referencing parts or service bulletins harder
- Long-term coil-leak data specific to ACiQ R-454B coils does not yet exist in independent databases
- No dealer network means warranty service depends on finding a willing independent contractor
- Consumer Reports has not yet ranked ACiQ, so reliability scoring is based on early owner feedback only
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Early owner commentary on ACiQ equipment tends to cluster around two themes: pleasant surprise at the build quality relative to the price, and some unease about the brand’s short track record. Because this is specifically an evaporator coil, the feedback most relevant to buyers centers on coil construction and long-term leak resistance, and that is precisely where independent data is thinnest. Consumer Reports does not yet rank ACiQ due to insufficient long-term data, so there is no independent reliability score to cite. The specific failure modes worth watching in any evaporator coil, coil refrigerant leaks at brazed joints or from formicary corrosion, have not been documented at unusual rates in ACiQ products yet, but the brand simply has not been in enough homes long enough to generate statistically meaningful coil-longevity data.
HVAC contractors who have installed ACiQ equipment report that the hardware itself is unremarkable in a good way: it goes in without surprises and the specs match what the documentation says. The sticking point contractors mention most often is the warranty service path. Because ACiQ does not operate a dealer or distributor network, a contractor handling a warranty claim on your behalf has no local rep to call, which means more paperwork and potentially longer lead times for replacement parts if a coil does fail inside the warranty window. For a homeowner who is price-sensitive and has a good relationship with a local independent HVAC technician, that trade-off is often acceptable. For someone who wants the path of least resistance on a warranty claim, the higher price of a Carrier or Trane coil buys a more established service infrastructure alongside the hardware.
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 | EVD5X36M21A | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance series CNPVP3617ALA | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Moderately higher than ACiQ |
| Trane | 4TXCB003DS3 series | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Moderately to significantly higher than ACiQ |
| Lennox | C33 series evaporator coil | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Significantly 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 this coil compatible with my existing R-410A air handler or furnace?
Not directly. R-454B and R-410A operate at different pressures and require compatible system components, including the coil, condensing unit, and refrigerant lines. You should only pair this coil with equipment and a condensing unit that ACiQ or the equipment manufacturer has rated for R-454B use.
Does the TXV need to be matched or adjusted for my specific condensing unit?
TXVs are factory-set but should be verified against the condensing unit's rated refrigerant charge and superheat specifications during commissioning. Your installing technician will confirm superheat and subcooling at startup, which is standard practice regardless of brand.
How does the 21-inch cabinet width translate to the air handler I already have?
You need to measure the interior cabinet width of your existing air handler or furnace coil cabinet, not the overall unit footprint. ACiQ publishes dimensional drawings for this model; confirm the height, width, and drain pan configuration match your cabinet before ordering, since return policies on coils can be restrictive once a unit is installed.
What happens if this coil develops a refrigerant leak and I need a warranty replacement?
ACiQ's 12-year parts warranty covers the coil, but because ACiQ sells direct rather than through a dealer network, you will need to work with an independent licensed HVAC contractor to document the failure and submit a warranty claim. There is no factory-authorized dealer to handle this on your behalf, which adds steps compared to a name-brand coil purchased through a local distributor.
Is R-454B refrigerant more expensive or harder to find than R-410A right now?
R-454B is still in early adoption and its availability varies by region, though major refrigerant distributors carry it. Pricing is currently higher than legacy R-410A in many markets, but this is expected to normalize as the installed base grows and the supply chain scales up.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 3 Ton |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Model | EVD5X36M21A |