ACiQ 2 Ton Evaporator Coil | 17.5" Wide Multi-Positional A-Coil w/ TXV | R454B (EAM5X24M17A)
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Key features
- Multi-positional A-coil installs in upflow, downflow, or horizontal configuration
- 17.5-inch wide cabinet fits standard residential air handler and furnace openings
- Factory-installed TXV for precise refrigerant metering and compressor protection
- Compatible with R-454B, the low-GWP refrigerant replacing R-410A under EPA rules
- 2-ton (24,000 BTU nominal) capacity suits smaller homes and zone replacements
- Ships direct from ACiQ with a 12-year parts warranty, no dealer markup
About this system
The ACiQ EAM5X24M17A is a 2-ton, 17.5-inch wide multi-positional A-coil designed for residential split systems using the next-generation R-454B refrigerant. The 17.5-inch cabinet width fits a standard filter-grille opening and allows installation in upflow, downflow, or horizontal orientations, making it a flexible choice for attic air handlers, basement furnaces, or closet-mounted systems. A factory-installed thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) manages refrigerant metering precisely, which supports higher system efficiency and protects the compressor from liquid slugging better than a fixed orifice can.
This coil is the indoor half of a split-system equation, so its efficiency contribution depends entirely on which outdoor condensing unit it is matched with. R-454B is a low-global-warming-potential refrigerant that is replacing R-410A across the industry following EPA regulations, so pairing this coil with a new R-454B-rated condenser puts the system on the right side of current and upcoming refrigerant rules. Homeowners replacing an older R-22 or R-410A coil should verify that the matched condenser is also rated for R-454B, since the refrigerants are not interchangeable. At the 2-ton size, this coil is appropriate for homes roughly in the 900 to 1,400 square-foot range, depending on insulation, climate, and duct design.
The ACiQ EAM5X24M17A is a competitively priced, R-454B-ready evaporator coil that covers the basics well: TXV included, flexible orientation, and a 12-year warranty that exceeds what most competitors bundle at this price point. The trade-off is that ACiQ is a newer brand with limited long-term field data, and the undisclosed manufacturer makes parts sourcing and service history harder to cross-reference. For a budget-conscious homeowner working with a trusted independent contractor, it is a reasonable buy; for someone who wants maximum documentation and a local dealer network, an established brand may be worth the premium.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- Factory TXV included, avoiding the separate purchase often required with competing coils
- R-454B refrigerant compatibility future-proofs the system against upcoming R-410A phase-down rules
- Multi-positional design reduces the need to stock orientation-specific coils for the installer
- 12-year parts warranty ships standard, matching or beating many name-brand coils at higher prices
- Direct-to-contractor pricing removes dealer markup, keeping installed cost lower than comparably equipped coils
Trade-offs
- ACiQ is a newer brand and Consumer Reports has not yet assigned it a reliability score due to insufficient long-term data
- The actual manufacturer is not disclosed, making cross-referencing parts, service bulletins, or coil failure histories more difficult than with a named brand
- No factory dealer network means service and warranty work depend entirely on finding a willing independent contractor
- Long-term coil leak rates and fin durability in humid climates are not yet established by independent data
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Homeowner feedback on ACiQ equipment collected so far is largely positive, with quiet operation, solid initial performance, and responsive customer support cited most often in early reviews on Google and dealer aggregator pages. That said, the brand is new enough that Consumer Reports has not yet assigned it a reliability score, and independent long-term data on coil-specific failure rates simply does not exist yet. The documented concerns that come up in HVAC trade forums are not coil-specific defects but structural ones: the undisclosed manufacturer makes it harder for technicians to pull up service history or cross-reference parts under a different brand name, and the direct-sales model means there is no local dealer invested in making a warranty claim smooth. Those are real friction points, not minor footnotes.
For this specific evaporator coil, HVAC professionals who have installed ACiQ equipment tend to note that the factory TXV and R-454B compatibility are genuine selling points at this price level, since competing coils at similar prices sometimes ship without a TXV or have not yet been updated for R-454B. The concern most contractors raise is the same one that applies across the ACiQ line: if this coil develops a refrigerant leak out of warranty in year eight or nine, sourcing a replacement or documenting the failure mode against a known manufacturer record will be harder than it would be with a Carrier or Trane coil. The 12-year parts warranty is a real buffer against that risk in the near term, but buyers should go in with clear eyes about what limited long-term data actually means for an evaporator coil that sits inside a system for fifteen or more years.
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 | EAM5X24M17A | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Value pick |
| Carrier | Infinity Series CNPVP2417ALA | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Significantly higher than ACiQ |
| Trane | 4TXCB003DS3HCA (2-ton Cahaba A-coil) | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Moderately higher than ACiQ |
| Lennox | CH35-24B+HKIT (2-ton cased A-coil) | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Moderately to 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
Can I pair this R-454B coil with my existing R-410A outdoor condenser?
No. R-454B and R-410A are not interchangeable and require different system pressures and lubricants. This coil must be matched with an outdoor unit that is specifically rated for R-454B. Mixing refrigerant types will damage the system and void any warranty.
Does the 17.5-inch width fit a standard furnace or air handler cabinet?
The 17.5-inch A-coil is designed to match common residential air handler and upflow furnace openings in that width class, but you should verify your specific unit's coil cabinet dimensions before ordering. Width, depth, and connection sizes vary between manufacturers, and a coil that is close but not exact will require field modification or adapters.
How do I register the 12-year warranty, and who handles warranty claims?
ACiQ warranty registration is done directly through AC Direct's website at the time of purchase or installation. Because ACiQ sells direct rather than through a dealer network, warranty claims and parts are handled by ACiQ directly; your installing contractor does not act as the warranty agent, which is a different process than a traditional dealer-supported brand.
Is a TXV really necessary for a 2-ton coil, or is a piston metering device sufficient?
A TXV modulates refrigerant flow in response to actual load conditions, which is more accurate than a fixed piston, especially when indoor temperatures or outdoor conditions vary. For R-454B systems and any system paired with a higher-SEER2 condenser, a TXV is the correct metering device and is often required to achieve rated efficiency. Having it factory-installed on this coil saves a field upgrade cost.
Since ACiQ's manufacturer is undisclosed, how hard is it to find replacement parts if this coil develops a leak years from now?
This is a legitimate concern. Because the OEM behind ACiQ is not publicly confirmed, a technician cannot simply look up a sister-brand part number to cross-reference coil components or fin stock. In practice, coil repairs usually mean coil replacement rather than individual part swaps, but if sourcing becomes difficult in the future, you may be dependent on ACiQ remaining in business and maintaining parts inventory, which is a real risk with any newer house brand.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 2 Ton |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Model | EAM5X24M17A |