Goodman 3 Ton Evaporator Coil – 21" Wide Uncased With TXV | R32 (CAUTA3626C3)
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Key features
- 3-ton capacity, 21-inch wide uncased design for tight or custom installations
- Factory-installed TXV for more precise refrigerant metering vs. fixed-orifice coils
- R-32 refrigerant compatible, supporting lower-GWP system builds
- Uncased construction allows field-wrapping for flexible plenum and cabinet fitting
- Designed for upflow or horizontal configurations depending on field orientation
- Goodman value-tier pricing, typically 15 to 25 percent below comparable Carrier, Trane, and Lennox coils
About this system
The Goodman CAUTA3626C3 is a 3-ton uncased evaporator coil designed for R-32 refrigerant, measuring 21 inches wide to fit tighter mechanical closets and utility spaces. It ships without a cabinet, which means it must be field-wrapped in foil tape and insulation by your installer — a step that adds labor time but gives technicians flexibility when fitting the coil into non-standard air handler cabinets or plenums. The factory-installed TXV (thermostatic expansion valve) is a meaningful inclusion at this price point: a TXV meters refrigerant flow more precisely than a fixed orifice, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of coil flooding or starving across a range of outdoor temperatures.
R-32 is a lower-GWP refrigerant increasingly common in new residential systems as the HVAC industry moves away from R-410A. If you are pairing this coil with a new R-32 outdoor unit, the refrigerant match is straightforward. If you are retrofitting, confirm your outdoor unit and line set are rated for R-32 before purchasing — R-32 operates at higher pressures than R-410A and is mildly flammable (A2L classification), so not every existing installation is compatible without modification. This coil suits homeowners replacing a failed evaporator coil in an existing R-32 system, or contractors building out a new split system on a budget where the 21-inch width constraint rules out wider coil options.
The CAUTA3626C3 offers a practical, budget-conscious path to a properly metered R-32 evaporator coil, and the included TXV is a genuine advantage over bare-bones alternatives at this price. However, Goodman's documented history of evaporator coil leaks and the added complexity of an uncased R-32 component mean installation quality and careful field sealing are not optional — they are the whole game.
Overall score is the average of the five ratings above.
What we like
- TXV included from the factory, improving efficiency and system protection without added cost
- R-32 compatibility positions this coil for modern, lower-GWP system builds
- 21-inch width opens up installation locations that wider coils cannot fit
- Priced 15 to 25 percent below comparable Carrier, Trane, and Lennox coils
- Uncased design gives installers flexibility to match non-standard cabinet configurations
Trade-offs
- Evaporator coil leaks are a documented failure mode in Goodman owner reviews, making long-term reliability a real concern
- Uncased construction requires meticulous field-wrapping and sealing — poor workmanship directly shortens coil life
- R-32 is an A2L mildly flammable refrigerant, requiring certified technicians and compatible equipment throughout the system
- No efficiency rating (SEER2) applies to the coil alone, so system efficiency depends entirely on the outdoor unit it is paired with
What homeowners and pros say about Goodman
On Google dealer review pages, Goodman equipment consistently earns scores around 3.8 out of 5, with affordability as the most repeated reason buyers choose the brand. For a component like this coil, that value story is real: comparable factory-TXV coils from Carrier, Trane, and Lennox cost noticeably more, and the TXV inclusion here narrows the feature gap at the point of purchase. That said, ConsumerAffairs places Goodman at roughly 2.5 out of 5, driven largely by owners who ran into repair costs after year seven — a pattern worth understanding before buying any Goodman product.
Among the specific failure modes that show up repeatedly in Goodman owner accounts, evaporator coil leaks are directly relevant to this product. That failure mode, combined with the added field-sealing demands of an uncased coil, means the installer’s workmanship carries more weight here than it would with a cased unit from a premium brand. HVAC technicians who work with Goodman regularly note that systems installed carefully and charged correctly tend to perform well past the 10-year mark, while shortcuts at install time accelerate the problems the brand is already known for. The dual-run capacitor failures and compressor lifespan shortfall (typically 10 to 14 years versus 15 to 20 for premium brands) are system-level concerns rather than coil-specific ones, but they are worth factoring into the total cost of ownership calculation when building out or replacing a complete Goodman system.
Sources: ConsumerAffairs Goodman owner reviews, AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance, U.S. DOE appliance and equipment efficiency standards, Goodman product specification sheets.
How it compares
| Brand | Comparable model | SEER2 | Stage | Price position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodman | CAUTA3626C3 | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Value pick |
| Carrier | Performance Series CNPVP3617ALA | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Approximately 20 to 30 percent higher than Goodman |
| Trane | Spine Fin BCXA3024A | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Approximately 25 to 35 percent higher than Goodman |
| Lennox | C33 Series C33-36B+1 | N/A (coil only) | N/A (coil only) | Approximately 25 to 40 percent higher than Goodman |
Competitor rows are comparable single-stage units at similar efficiency; price is relative position, not a quote.
Questions about this system
Can I use this coil with my existing R-410A outdoor unit?
No. This coil is designed for R-32, which operates at different pressures than R-410A and requires compatible components throughout the system. Using it with an R-410A outdoor unit would void warranties and create a safety risk.
Do I need to do anything special because the coil is uncased?
Yes. An uncased coil must be wrapped with foil-faced insulation and sealed with foil tape by your installer to prevent condensation, air bypass, and premature corrosion. This adds labor time and must be done correctly — skipping or rushing this step is a leading cause of early coil problems.
What warranty does Goodman provide on this coil?
Goodman typically offers a 10-year parts limited warranty when the product is registered within 60 days of installation. Unregistered units generally fall back to a shorter base warranty, so registration is worth doing immediately after install.
Goodman has a reputation for coil leaks. Should I be worried about this specific model?
Evaporator coil leaks are a documented failure mode across Goodman's product line according to owner reviews, so it is a legitimate concern. Proper installation, correct refrigerant charge, and good airflow across the coil all reduce the risk, which is why choosing an experienced installer matters more with Goodman than with premium brands.
Is R-32 safe to work with, and does my installer need special certification?
R-32 is classified A2L — low toxicity but mildly flammable — which means your technician needs EPA 608 certification and should be familiar with A2L handling procedures. Most licensed HVAC contractors are already equipped for this, but it is worth confirming before scheduling the job.
Specifications
| Cooling capacity | 3 Ton |
| Refrigerant | R-32 |