ACiQ 3.5 Ton Evaporator Coil | 24" Wide V-Coil w/ TXV | R454B (EVD5X42M24A)
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Key features
- 3.5-ton capacity, 24-inch wide V-coil configuration for compact upflow or horizontal installations
- Factory-installed TXV for active refrigerant flow regulation and improved efficiency
- R-454B refrigerant compatible, meeting current EPA low-GWP requirements
- 42-inch cabinet height suits common residential air handler and furnace pairings
- Sold direct with no dealer markup, undercutting most name-brand coil pricing
- 12-year parts warranty when registered, no dealer required for registration
About this system
The ACiQ EVD5X42M24A is a 3.5-ton, 24-inch wide V-coil evaporator coil designed for use with R-454B refrigerant, the lower-GWP replacement that is now the standard for new residential split systems sold in the United States. The 42-inch cabinet height and V-coil configuration give it a relatively compact footprint while maintaining the surface area needed to handle 3.5 tons of cooling load, making it a practical choice for upflow or horizontal air handler setups where cabinet width is constrained. The factory-installed thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is a meaningful inclusion at this price point: a TXV actively regulates refrigerant flow in response to load conditions, which improves system efficiency and protects the compressor better than a fixed orifice would.
This coil is a replacement or new-construction component, not a standalone system, so it must be matched with a compatible R-454B condensing unit and an appropriate air handler or furnace. Buyers are typically contractors or confident owner-builders sourcing components for a split system on a budget. Because ACiQ sells direct without dealer markup, the coil lands noticeably below name-brand equivalents on price, which is the clearest reason to consider it. The R-454B refrigerant compatibility future-proofs the installation against the ongoing phase-down of R-410A, an important detail if you are building or replacing a system you expect to own for fifteen or more years.
The EVD5X42M24A is a competent, honestly priced evaporator coil that makes the most sense for buyers who are comfortable sourcing direct and have a contractor who can handle R-454B. The TXV inclusion and R-454B compatibility are real practical advantages, but the undisclosed manufacturer and thin long-term field data mean you are accepting more uncertainty than you would with a Carrier or Trane coil from an established dealer network.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- Factory-installed TXV improves efficiency and compressor protection versus a fixed-orifice coil
- R-454B compatibility is forward-looking and avoids future refrigerant sourcing headaches
- Direct-sale pricing undercuts name brands by a meaningful margin on the same nominal capacity
- 12-year parts warranty is competitive with premium brands and requires no dealer to register
- Compact 24-inch width opens up installation options in tighter mechanical spaces
Trade-offs
- Manufacturer identity is not disclosed, making parts cross-referencing and service history harder
- No independent long-term reliability data exists; Consumer Reports has not yet ranked ACiQ
- Sold direct means no local dealer network for warranty support or emergency parts sourcing
- R-454B requires certified technicians with updated equipment, which can limit contractor availability in some markets
What homeowners and pros say about ACiQ
Early owner feedback on ACiQ equipment clusters around a few consistent themes: quiet operation once the system is running, performance that matches or exceeds expectations given the price, and a support team at AC Direct that responds when something goes wrong. For a direct-sale brand with limited market history, that is a reasonable start. Consumer Reports has not yet assigned ACiQ a reliability score because the brand is too new to have the longitudinal failure data the organization requires, which is an honest limitation worth naming rather than glossing over. The practical failure modes to watch with any evaporator coil in this class include refrigerant leaks at the coil connections or along brazed joints, particularly if installation workmanship is inconsistent, and the added variable here is that the undisclosed manufacturing source makes it harder for a technician to cross-reference tolerances or service bulletins against a known OEM baseline.
HVAC contractors who have installed ACiQ equipment tend to report that the components arrive well-packaged and dimensionally consistent, which reduces job-site surprises. The sticking point in the trade is the direct-sale model: independent technicians cannot call a local distributor to pull a replacement part the same day, and warranty coordination routes through ACiQ rather than through a familiar dealer relationship. For a coil specifically, that is less of a daily concern than it would be for a full condensing unit, but if a leak develops mid-season, turnaround time on warranty parts depends entirely on ACiQ’s fulfillment speed rather than a local shelf. Buyers who have a long-term relationship with an independent HVAC contractor and are comfortable with that support structure will find the value proposition here genuine; those who want a local dealer to own the problem should look at a name-brand alternative instead.
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 | EVD5X42M24A | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance Series CAPF Evaporator Coil | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Moderately higher than ACiQ, typically purchased through an authorized Carrier dealer |
| Trane | Vortica II Evaporator Coil (CAHVP series) | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Noticeably higher than ACiQ, sold exclusively through Trane dealers with labor and parts support included |
| Lennox | CBA38MV Evaporator Coil | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Premium-positioned above ACiQ, available through Lennox dealer network with full documentation and parts sourcing |
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 condensing unit?
Yes, provided the condensing unit is rated for R-454B refrigerant and the manufacturer publishes a matched-system rating that includes this coil. Mismatched pairings can void warranties on both components and may not meet AHRI efficiency certification, so confirm compatibility before purchasing.
Do I need special tools or certifications to work with R-454B on this coil?
Yes. R-454B is an A2L mildly flammable refrigerant, so technicians need EPA Section 608 certification and equipment specifically rated for A2L refrigerants, including leak detectors and recovery machines. Not every local HVAC contractor has updated their tools yet, so confirm your technician is equipped before scheduling the job.
How does the 12-year warranty work if there is no local ACiQ dealer?
Warranty claims go through ACiQ directly rather than through a dealer, which can be an advantage for avoiding dealer markup disputes but means you are responsible for coordinating your own independent contractor for the labor portion. Parts coverage for 12 years is competitive, but labor is not included, which is standard in the industry.
Is the 24-inch width a standard cabinet size that fits most air handlers?
24 inches is a common residential cabinet width, but you should still verify the specific dimensions against your air handler or furnace plenum opening before ordering. The 42-inch cabinet height also needs to be confirmed against your available vertical clearance, particularly in attic or closet installations.
Why does ACiQ not disclose who manufactures this coil, and does it matter?
ACiQ has not publicly identified its manufacturing partner; forum speculation points to the ICP and Carrier family, but this is unconfirmed. It matters mainly for service purposes: if a technician needs to cross-reference a part number or look up a technical service bulletin, the lack of a known OEM source makes that harder than it would be with a named-brand coil.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 3.5 Ton |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Model | EVD5X42M24A |