ACiQ 60000 BTU 96% AFUE Gas Furnace | Variable Speed Two Stage Multi-Positional | R454B Compliant (G96VTN0601716B)
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Key features
- 96% AFUE two-stage condensing gas furnace rated at 60,000 BTU output
- Variable-speed ECM blower motor for quiet, gradual airflow delivery
- Multi-positional cabinet supports upflow, downflow, and horizontal installation
- R-454B compliant designation for pairing with current-generation cooling equipment
- Ships direct with a 12-year parts warranty and no dealer markup built into the price
- Covered under ACiQ's responsive direct-support model for warranty claims
About this system
The ACiQ G96VTN0601716B is a 60,000 BTU, 96% AFUE two-stage variable-speed gas furnace built for homes that need meaningful heating output without stepping up to a larger unit. At 96% AFUE, nearly all of the gas burned becomes usable heat, placing this furnace in the high-efficiency condensing category alongside units from Carrier, Trane, and Lennox that typically cost considerably more. The multi-positional design means it can be installed upflow, downflow, or horizontal, which gives contractors real flexibility in tighter equipment rooms, crawlspaces, or attics.
Two-stage operation is the practical feature to understand here. On mild days the burner runs at its lower stage, cycling less frequently and maintaining more even temperatures room to room. On colder days it steps up to full fire. Pair that with a variable-speed blower motor and you get a unit that ramps airflow gradually rather than blasting on and shutting off, which both improves comfort and reduces energy draw at the air handler. The R-454B refrigerant designation on the spec sheet is relevant if this furnace is being matched to a new cooling system, signaling compatibility with the lower-GWP refrigerant now required on new AC equipment. For a straightforward gas-only furnace, refrigerant type has no direct bearing on heating performance.
The ACiQ G96VTN0601716B delivers a genuine 96% AFUE two-stage variable-speed furnace at a price that undercuts established names by a meaningful margin, and the 12-year warranty coverage is competitive with anything in this efficiency class. The trade-off is real: the brand is new, long-term independent reliability data does not yet exist, and the undisclosed manufacturer makes parts sourcing and service history harder to verify than with a Carrier or Trane unit.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- 96% AFUE puts heating efficiency at the top of the condensing furnace tier, reducing gas bills versus 80% AFUE alternatives
- Variable-speed ECM motor improves comfort and runs quieter than single-speed blowers
- Multi-positional cabinet gives installers flexibility that single-position units cannot match
- 12-year parts warranty ships with the unit and is not inflated by dealer markup
- Early owner feedback consistently notes quiet operation and responsive customer support
Trade-offs
- Consumer Reports has not yet assigned a reliability score due to insufficient long-term data on the ACiQ brand
- The actual manufacturer is undisclosed, which complicates cross-referencing parts, service bulletins, and long-term failure data
- No factory dealer network means warranty service depends on finding a willing independent contractor in your area
- As a newer brand, resale and appraiser familiarity is lower than with Carrier, Trane, or Lennox equipment
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Early owners of ACiQ furnaces and split systems describe quiet startup, stable temperatures, and quicker-than-expected responses when they have contacted support directly. Because the brand is relatively new to the market, Consumer Reports has not yet accumulated enough long-term data to assign a reliability score, and that absence is worth taking seriously rather than dismissing. The gap between early enthusiasm and a verified multi-year reliability record is real, and buyers should weigh it honestly against the price savings.
Among HVAC contractors who have installed ACiQ equipment, the most common concern raised on trade forums is not performance out of the box but serviceability over time. The undisclosed manufacturer means there is no straightforward way to cross-reference service bulletins, confirmed failure patterns, or OEM parts sourcing the way a technician can with a Carrier or Trane unit. For this specific furnace, the documented risk areas that buyers should monitor are the same ones flagged across newer brands generally: control board reliability over multiple heating seasons, inducer motor longevity, and whether the condensate system is correctly pitched at installation. None of those are unique to ACiQ, but the thinner long-term data means there is less documented history to draw on if something does go wrong after year five or six.
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 | G96VTN0601716B | N/A (gas furnace) | Two-stage | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance 96 (59TP6) | N/A (gas furnace) | Two-stage | Noticeably higher, mid-range Carrier tier |
| Trane | S9V2 (96% AFUE Variable Speed) | N/A (gas furnace) | Two-stage | Higher, mainstream Trane pricing |
| Lennox | ML196V | N/A (gas furnace) | Two-stage | Higher, mid-tier Lennox with dealer markup |
Competitor rows are comparable single-stage units at similar efficiency; price is relative position, not a quote.
Questions about this system
Who actually manufactures this furnace, and does it matter for parts availability?
ACiQ is AC Direct's house brand and the underlying manufacturer is not publicly disclosed, though forum discussion points toward the ICP and Carrier family without confirmation. It does matter practically: without a confirmed manufacturer, cross-referencing parts numbers or service bulletins against a known factory is harder than it would be with a name-brand unit, so confirm your installer is comfortable sourcing parts for ACiQ equipment before purchasing.
What does multi-positional installation actually mean for my home?
It means the same cabinet can be configured for upflow (most common, in a basement or closet with ducts running up), downflow (ducts exiting below, often used in slab-on-grade homes), or horizontal (lying on its side in an attic or crawlspace). This reduces the risk of ordering the wrong unit for your space, but horizontal installs still require specific venting and condensate drain planning, so verify your contractor's layout before ordering.
How does two-stage operation differ from a single-stage furnace in everyday use?
A single-stage furnace fires at full capacity every time it starts, which can cause temperature swings and more frequent on-off cycling. This furnace fires at a lower stage during mild conditions and only steps to full output when demand requires it, producing longer, quieter run cycles and more consistent room temperatures. Combined with the variable-speed blower, most homeowners notice a meaningful reduction in the blast-and-silence pattern of older equipment.
How does the 12-year warranty work when the furnace is sold direct without a dealer network?
ACiQ's 12-year parts warranty is registered directly through them rather than through a dealer, which removes the markup dealers sometimes build into extended coverage. The catch is that labor is not covered by the manufacturer, and you will need to find an independent licensed HVAC contractor to perform any warranty repairs. Confirming in advance that a local contractor is willing to work on ACiQ equipment and handle parts claims is an important step before installation.
Is this furnace compatible with a smart thermostat like an Ecobee or Nest?
The variable-speed ECM motor and two-stage operation are compatible with most smart thermostats, but you should verify your specific thermostat supports two-stage furnace control and has a terminal for the variable-speed signal before wiring. Ecobee and Nest both support two-stage gas furnaces natively; consult the thermostat's compatibility checker with this model's wiring configuration before purchase.
Specifications
| Furnace output | 60000 BTU |
| Furnace efficiency | 96% AFUE |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |