ACiQ 2.5 Ton Evaporator Coil | 17.5" Wide Multi-Positional V-Coil w/ TXV | R454B (EVM5X31M17A)
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Key features
- 2.5-ton capacity, 17.5-inch wide cabinet fits standard residential air handler openings
- Multi-positional design supports upflow, downflow, and horizontal installation
- Factory-installed TXV meters refrigerant flow for better part-load efficiency and compressor protection
- Charged and rated for R-454B, the low-GWP refrigerant replacing R-410A under new EPA regulations
- V-coil configuration increases surface area for improved heat transfer in a compact cabinet
- Sold direct with no dealer markup, and covered by ACiQ's 12-year parts warranty
About this system
The ACiQ EVM5X31M17A is a 2.5-ton multi-positional V-coil evaporator coil designed for R-454B refrigerant, the low-GWP replacement that is becoming the industry standard as R-410A is phased out. At 17.5 inches wide, it fits a common cabinet footprint used in many residential air handlers, and the multi-positional design means it can be installed in upflow, downflow, or horizontal orientations without swapping out a different coil casing. The factory-installed TXV (thermostatic expansion valve) is a meaningful inclusion at this price tier, since it actively meters refrigerant flow to match load rather than relying on a fixed orifice, which improves part-load efficiency and protects the compressor from liquid slugging.
This coil is a replacement or new-construction component, not a standalone system. It pairs with a compatible R-454B-rated furnace or air handler and a condensing unit to complete a split system. Buyers should confirm that the coil is rated to match the AHRI combination of their specific furnace and condenser, since mismatched coil and condenser combinations can reduce system efficiency below rated levels and may void warranty coverage. The 17.5-inch cabinet width and V-coil geometry are well suited to mid-capacity residential installs where space inside the mechanical closet or utility room is limited.
The EVM5X31M17A is a competitively priced R-454B evaporator coil with a genuinely useful TXV and a flexible multi-positional design that suits most residential retrofits and new installs. The 12-year warranty is longer than many competitors offer at this price point, though the brand's limited track record and undisclosed manufacturing lineage mean buyers are accepting more uncertainty than they would with a Carrier or Trane coil. For cost-conscious homeowners working with a trusted independent HVAC contractor, it represents real value; for those who prioritize a well-documented service history or a manufacturer-backed dealer network, the calculus is less clear.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- R-454B ready, so the system will not need refrigerant upgrades as R-410A supply tightens
- Factory TXV included rather than sold as an add-on, improving efficiency and system protection
- Multi-positional V-coil covers most residential install configurations in a single SKU
- 12-year parts warranty undercuts most name-brand coils at a comparable price tier
- Direct-to-consumer pricing removes dealer markup from the coil cost
Trade-offs
- Undisclosed manufacturer makes cross-referencing parts and confirming service history harder than with name brands
- Long-term coil durability data is thin given the brand's relatively short market presence
- No factory dealer network, so warranty service depends entirely on finding a willing independent contractor
- AHRI combination matching must be verified by the installer; mismatched pairings can reduce efficiency and void coverage
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Early owner feedback on ACiQ equipment is broadly positive, with quiet operation, solid initial cooling performance, and accessible customer support mentioned repeatedly across independent forums and review platforms. However, Consumer Reports does not yet rank ACiQ because the brand is too new to have accumulated the long-term reliability data that organization requires, so those early impressions are not backed by independent longitudinal tracking. For a coil specifically, the most relevant concerns raised by owners and technicians center on the documented failure modes that show up across the product line: coil leaks in the field have been noted in installer forums, and because the actual manufacturing origin is not publicly disclosed, cross-referencing part numbers or service bulletins against a known parent brand is not straightforward. That ambiguity can slow down diagnosis and parts sourcing when something does go wrong.
HVAC technicians working with ACiQ equipment tend to have mixed but generally cautious views. Those who have installed and serviced the brand report that the hardware itself appears to be manufactured to reasonable tolerances, and the direct-ship model with 12-year parts coverage is genuinely attractive for price-sensitive customers. The friction points come during service calls: without a dealer network, warranty part logistics fall on the homeowner and the tech, and the undisclosed manufacturer relationship makes it harder to leverage existing brand relationships for expedited support. For a coil like the EVM5X31M17A, the R-454B compatibility and factory TXV are real selling points that reflect current industry direction, but contractors in areas with limited ACiQ familiarity may charge a premium for their time on an unfamiliar brand, which can partially offset the upfront savings.
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 | EVM5X31M17A | N/A (coil only, system SEER2 depends on paired equipment) | N/A (coil component) | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance Coil CNPVP3617ALA | System SEER2 varies by paired unit | N/A (coil component) | Moderately higher, typically sold through certified Carrier dealers with markup |
| Trane | Vortica II Coil BAVP37B21M2 | System SEER2 varies by paired unit | N/A (coil component) | Higher, part of the Trane certified dealer channel with corresponding labor and parts support |
| Lennox | Merit Series CX35 Coil | System SEER2 varies by paired unit | N/A (coil component) | Comparable to moderately higher, sold through Lennox dealer network |
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?
No. The EVM5X31M17A is rated for R-454B only and should not be used with an R-410A condensing unit. Mixing refrigerant types or pairing this coil with an R-410A system will result in an uncertified combination, reduced performance, and likely voided warranty coverage.
Do I need to verify AHRI certification for this coil paired with my furnace and condenser?
Yes, and this is important. The system efficiency rating on your condenser is only valid when matched with a certified coil combination. Your installer should look up the specific AHRI-certified combination using the condenser model number and this coil model to confirm the rated SEER2 applies and that the warranty is not compromised.
Can I install this coil myself to save labor cost?
Legally, no. Connecting refrigerant lines requires an EPA Section 608 certification, and most jurisdictions require a licensed HVAC technician to pull permits for this type of work. Attempting a DIY refrigerant connection would also void the 12-year warranty.
What is the significance of the factory-installed TXV on this coil?
A TXV actively adjusts refrigerant flow based on load, which improves efficiency during part-load conditions and helps protect the compressor from refrigerant flooding. Coils that use a fixed piston or orifice instead are less adaptive, particularly when the system is running below full capacity, which is most of the time in a properly sized installation.
How does the 12-year warranty work if ACiQ does not have its own dealer network?
ACiQ's warranty covers parts for 12 years, but labor is not covered and there is no factory service network. Warranty claims are handled by contacting ACiQ directly; parts are then shipped to you or your contractor. This means you are responsible for finding an independent HVAC technician willing to do the labor, which can be a real friction point depending on your area.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 2.5 Ton |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Model | EVM5X31M17A |