ACiQ 2.5 Ton Evaporator Coil | 17.5" Wide Multi-Positional V-Coil w/ TXV | R454B (EVM5X30M17A)
Check current price on AC Direct →
Key features
- R-454B refrigerant compatible, ready for post-2025 EPA refrigerant transition
- Factory-installed TXV for precise refrigerant metering and compressor protection
- 17.5-inch-wide cabinet fits many standard air-handler configurations
- Multi-positional V-coil supports upflow, downflow, and horizontal installs
- 2.5-ton capacity suited to roughly 1,200 to 1,600 sq ft depending on climate and load
- Sold direct with no dealer markup, undercutting name-brand coil pricing
About this system
The ACiQ EVM5X30M17A is a 2.5-ton, 17.5-inch-wide multi-positional V-coil designed to work with a matched ACiQ air handler or furnace in a split-system setup. It ships pre-equipped with a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV), which gives more precise refrigerant metering than a fixed orifice and helps protect the compressor across varying load conditions. Critically, it is charged for R-454B, the lower-global-warming-potential refrigerant that is replacing R-410A under EPA Section 608 rules, so this coil is ready for new-equipment installations that must comply with the 2025 refrigerant transition rather than requiring a retrofit later.
The V-coil geometry fits upflow, downflow, and horizontal orientations, which gives installers flexibility when matching it to existing duct configurations or tight mechanical rooms. At 17.5 inches wide it fits many standard air-handler cabinets, but buyers must confirm cabinet width and connection sizing before ordering since mismatches are the most common installation headache with aftermarket coils. This coil does not carry a standalone SEER2 rating on its own; efficiency is determined by the matched outdoor condensing unit, so the published system SEER2 applies only when this coil is paired with its rated ACiQ condenser. It suits budget-conscious homeowners doing a full ACiQ system replacement, contractors looking for cost-effective R-454B-ready components, and anyone who wants TXV performance without paying a premium-brand price.
The EVM5X30M17A is a practical, price-competitive evaporator coil for buyers committing to an ACiQ split system and wanting R-454B readiness out of the box. The TXV inclusion at this price tier is a genuine value, but unknown long-term coil durability and the lack of a disclosed manufacturer make it a calculated risk compared to name-brand alternatives with decades of tracked field data.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- R-454B ready eliminates refrigerant-transition headaches on new installs
- Factory TXV included where many budget coils charge extra or omit it
- Multi-positional design covers the most common install orientations
- Priced below comparable Carrier, Trane, and Lennox evaporator coils
- 12-year parts warranty coverage with no dealer markup inflating the cost
Trade-offs
- No standalone efficiency rating; system SEER2 depends entirely on the paired condenser
- Actual manufacturer is undisclosed, complicating parts cross-referencing for technicians
- Long-term coil leak and durability data is thin given the brand's short market history
- Direct-sold model means service depends on finding an independent contractor comfortable working on ACiQ equipment
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Homeowners who have installed ACiQ systems generally report positive early experiences, citing quiet operation and solid cooling performance during the first one to two seasons. ACiQ’s direct-sale model draws consistent praise for keeping costs down, and the inclusion of a TXV on the evaporator coil at this price point is frequently noted as a genuine differentiator versus stripped-down budget alternatives. Consumer Reports has not yet assigned ACiQ a reliability score due to insufficient long-term field data, which is an honest reflection of how new the brand is rather than a red flag on its own, but it does mean buyers are making a bet on early-returns data rather than a multi-year reliability record.
HVAC technicians working on ACiQ equipment point to two recurring practical concerns specific to this type of component. First, because the actual manufacturer is not publicly disclosed, cross-referencing replacement parts or pulling service history is harder than it would be with a Carrier or Trane coil, which can slow down a warranty repair if the part number does not map cleanly to a known supply chain. Second, the direct-sale model means there is no factory-trained dealer standing behind the installation, so the quality of the install and the ease of any warranty service depends heavily on the independent contractor a homeowner chooses. Neither issue makes the coil a poor choice, but both are real trade-offs worth weighing before committing.
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 | EVM5X30M17A | Rated with matched system | N/A (evaporator coil only) | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance series CNPVP3017ALA | Rated with matched system | N/A (evaporator coil only) | Moderately higher than ACiQ |
| Trane | Coil-Only series CAHF-A-30 | Rated with matched system | N/A (evaporator coil only) | Higher than ACiQ |
| Lennox | C33 series C33-30B-2F | Rated with matched system | N/A (evaporator coil only) | Higher than ACiQ |
Competitor rows are comparable single-stage units at similar efficiency; price is relative position, not a quote.
Questions about this system
Can I pair this coil with a non-ACiQ condenser, like a Carrier or Trane unit?
Physically it may connect, but the published AHRI system efficiency rating is only valid when paired with the specific ACiQ condensing unit it was matched with. Mixing brands voids the AHRI efficiency certification and can complicate warranty claims, so most contractors recommend keeping the coil and condenser matched within the same brand.
Does this coil work with R-410A equipment I already own?
No. R-454B and R-410A are not interchangeable and operate at different pressures. This coil is designed specifically for R-454B systems and should not be used with R-410A refrigerant or connected to an existing R-410A outdoor unit.
What cabinet width do I need to fit the 17.5-inch coil?
You need an air handler or furnace cabinet with an 17.5-inch coil opening. Measure your existing cabinet or confirm the ACiQ air handler model before ordering because a half-inch mismatch will require a different coil or adapter kit, and return shipping on a coil is expensive.
How does the 12-year warranty work if there is no local ACiQ dealer?
ACiQ sells direct and the warranty is honored through their direct support channel rather than a dealer network. You will need to use an independent licensed HVAC contractor for labor and work with ACiQ directly for parts claims, so confirming that process with ACiQ before purchase is worth the five-minute call.
Is the TXV already installed or does it ship separately?
The TXV ships factory-installed on this coil, which saves the installation step and the additional parts cost that some budget coils pass on to the buyer. Your technician should still verify the valve setting is appropriate for the matched system during commissioning.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 2.5 Ton |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Model | EVM5X30M17A |