ACiQ 3 Ton Evaporator Coil | 17.5" Wide Multi-Positional V-Coil w/ TXV | R454B (EVM5X36M17A)
Check current price on AC Direct →
Key features
- R-454B refrigerant compatible, meeting post-2025 EPA low-GWP requirements
- Multi-positional V-coil fits upflow, downflow, and horizontal installations
- 17.5-inch cabinet width for standard residential air handler compatibility
- Factory-installed TXV for load-responsive refrigerant metering
- 3-ton (36,000 BTU nominal) capacity for mid-size residential applications
- 12-year parts warranty with no dealer markup factored into the purchase price
About this system
The ACiQ EVM5X36M17A is a 3-ton, multi-positional V-coil evaporator coil built for R-454B refrigerant, the low-global-warming-potential replacement that is now required in new residential HVAC equipment manufactured after January 1, 2025. At 17.5 inches wide, it fits into standard air handler cabinets that accept that cabinet width, and its V-coil geometry maximizes surface area for heat exchange without requiring a deeper cabinet footprint. The factory-installed TXV (thermostatic expansion valve) regulates refrigerant flow in response to actual load conditions, which tends to improve efficiency and protect the compressor compared with a fixed-orifice piston metering device. It is a refrigerant-side component only, so it must be matched with a compatible condensing unit and air handler or furnace to form a complete system.
This coil suits homeowners replacing an aging evaporator coil in a 3-ton split system and contractors building out new R-454B-ready systems who want to keep equipment costs down without stepping too far outside mainstream component sourcing. The multi-positional design means it can be installed in upflow, downflow, or horizontal configurations, which reduces the number of SKUs a contractor has to stock. Because ACiQ is a direct-sold brand, there is no dealer markup baked into the price, and the coil ships with a 12-year parts warranty that is uncommon at this price tier. Buyers should confirm the coil is AHRI-certified when matched with their specific outdoor unit before purchasing, as efficiency ratings and warranty compliance depend on that match.
The ACiQ EVM5X36M17A is a competitively priced R-454B evaporator coil that covers the basics well, with a factory TXV and multi-positional flexibility that give it a leg up on bare-bones coils at a similar price. The 12-year warranty is a genuine differentiator, though the brand's limited long-term track record and the undisclosed manufacturer mean you are accepting more uncertainty than you would with a Carrier or Trane coil of the same age.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- R-454B-ready out of the box, future-proofing the installation against refrigerant availability concerns
- Factory TXV included at no extra cost, a step above many value-tier coils that ship with piston metering
- Multi-positional design covers most residential installation configurations with one part number
- 12-year parts warranty is longer than the industry-standard 5-to-10-year coverage common at this price point
- Direct-sale pricing undercuts comparable coils from name-brand distributors without the margin layers
Trade-offs
- The undisclosed manufacturer makes cross-referencing OEM parts and service history harder for technicians unfamiliar with the brand
- No independent long-term reliability data exists yet; Consumer Reports has not ranked ACiQ due to insufficient field history
- Sold direct rather than through a dealer network, so warranty service depends on finding an independent contractor willing to work on it
- AHRI match verification falls on the buyer, since ACiQ is not universally listed as a matched partner in every online AHRI directory entry
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Owner feedback on ACiQ equipment skews positive in the early going, with recurring mentions of quiet operation and responsive customer support from the direct-sales team. Because ACiQ is a relatively young brand, Consumer Reports has not yet accumulated enough long-term field data to assign it a reliability score, which is an honest limitation worth acknowledging before purchase. For a component like an evaporator coil, early reviews are encouraging, but coil longevity is tested over years of condensation cycling, refrigerant pressure, and drain pan exposure, and that data simply does not exist yet for this line at scale.
Among HVAC technicians, the most commonly cited concern with ACiQ equipment is the undisclosed manufacturer. When a coil develops a leak or a TXV fails, a technician working on a Carrier or Trane coil can cross-reference OEM part numbers quickly. With ACiQ, the supply chain is less transparent, which can add time and uncertainty to a service call. The direct-sale model also means there is no local dealer relationship to lean on for parts availability. That said, the 12-year parts warranty is a concrete benefit that name-brand coils at comparable price points rarely match, and for buyers who are comfortable sourcing contractors independently and verifying AHRI match data on their own, the value proposition is real.
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 | EVM5X36M17A | N/A (coil only, system-rated when matched) | N/A (coil component) | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance Series CNPVP3617ALA | System-dependent | N/A (coil component) | Moderately higher, typically purchased through authorized Carrier distributors with dealer margin |
| Trane | 4TXCC003DS3HC (Cahaba series, 3-ton) | System-dependent | N/A (coil component) | Higher, sold through Trane dealer network with associated markup |
| Lennox | C33 Series evaporator coil (3-ton, R-454B compatible) | System-dependent | N/A (coil component) | Higher, Lennox dealer network pricing with brand premium |
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 condensing unit?
No. The EVM5X36M17A is designed for R-454B refrigerant and should not be used with R-410A equipment. If your outdoor unit uses R-410A, you need a coil rated for R-410A. Mixing refrigerant types causes system damage and voids the warranty.
Does the TXV come pre-installed, or do I need to buy it separately?
The TXV is factory-installed on this model, which is one of the reasons the EVM5X36M17A is a stronger value than some coils at a similar price that ship with a fixed-piston metering device and require a separate TXV purchase and installation labor.
How do I confirm this coil will qualify for an AHRI-certified efficiency rating with my outdoor unit?
Search the AHRI directory at ahridirectory.org using your outdoor unit's model number and filter for matched indoor coils. ACiQ coils appear in AHRI listings, but you should verify the specific combination before purchasing to ensure the matched SEER2 rating meets any utility rebate or building code requirements.
What happens if I need warranty service and I can't find a contractor familiar with ACiQ?
ACiQ's warranty is honored through independent licensed HVAC contractors rather than a proprietary dealer network, so any qualified technician can perform the work. The challenge is that because the actual manufacturer is not publicly disclosed, some technicians may not recognize the part lineage, which can slow down the sourcing of replacement components if a part fails.
Can this coil be installed horizontally, and does that affect the warranty?
Yes, the multi-positional design supports horizontal installation in addition to upflow and downflow configurations. Installing in any of the supported orientations does not void the warranty, but the coil must be installed by a licensed HVAC technician per ACiQ's warranty terms, and refrigerant work requires an EPA Section 608 certified technician.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 3 Ton |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Model | EVM5X36M17A |