1.5 Ton EcoTemp 15.5 SEER2 R-454B Wall Mount Apartment/Condo Air Conditioning System
The EcoTemp W5A5S18AKAWA outdoor condenser and FMA5L1800AL wall-hung fan coil form an AHRI-matched 1.5 ton (18,000 BTU) central cooling system rated at 15.5 SEER2 (AHRI #214877461). Built around low-GWP R-454B refrigerant, a single-stage scroll compressor, and a compact upflow air handler that fits between standard wall studs, this package is made for studio and one-bedroom apartments, condos, ADUs, and multifamily units where the indoor unit hangs in a utility closet, often right above the water heater. Property managers, landlords, and HVAC contractors replacing older apartment-style fan coils get a straightforward, budget-friendly cooling system with an optional field-installed electric heat kit for winter comfort.
Is a 1.5 Ton Wall Mount AC System the Right Size?
A 1.5 ton system is the entry size in the EcoTemp FMA5 multifamily line and is generally matched to smaller living spaces, often in the range of roughly 600 to 900 square feet in a typical, reasonably insulated apartment. Square footage is only a starting point, though. What really decides the right size is the actual heat gain of the unit, which is why a Manual J load calculation is always the best way to confirm tonnage.
Window area and orientation, ceiling height, insulation levels, top-floor or end-unit exposure, local climate, the number of occupants, and kitchen heat all change the cooling load. A west-facing top-floor studio in Florida can need more capacity than a shaded interior unit of the same size. Oversizing an apartment system leads to short cycling and poor humidity control, so a correctly sized 1.5 ton unit often feels more comfortable than a larger one in a small space.
Ideal for: Studio and one-bedroom apartments, small condos, garage apartments and ADUs, efficiency units in student housing, senior living suites, and like-for-like replacement of 1.5 ton apartment-style closet air handlers.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 2 Ton EcoTemp W5A5S24AKAWA & FMA5L2400AL Wall Mount System for larger apartments and condos requiring additional cooling capacity.
Recommended applications are general guidelines only. Actual system requirements depend on insulation, windows, sun exposure, ceiling height, climate, occupancy, and ductwork. Request free sizing assistance, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Outdoor Condensing Unit | W5A5S18AKAWA — 1.5 Ton Single-Stage R-454B Air Conditioner |
|---|---|
| Indoor Air Handler | FMA5L1800AL Multifamily Wall-Hung Fan Coil (PSC Motor) |
| Application | Central Air Conditioning for Apartments & Condos — 15.5 SEER2, AHRI #214877461 |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Compressor | Single-Stage Scroll Compressor |
| Blower Motor | 1/6 HP 3-Speed PSC, Direct Drive |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz Condensing Unit |
| Air Handler Electrical | 208/230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
This matched pair combines the W5A5S18AKAWA condenser, which ships with a 4.2 lb factory R-454B charge, with the FMA5L1800AL fan coil, a 36-1/2" x 20-1/2" x 15" cabinet that delivers a nominal 650 CFM through a TXV-metered, all-aluminum coil. The air handler ships without heat; add an EHK205B 5 kW heat strip or one of the larger EHK-series kits listed in the FMA5 product data if the apartment needs electric heat. Prefer a heat pump instead? The 1.5 ton EcoTemp W5H5S18AKAAA heat pump wall mount system pairs the same fan coil with a reversing outdoor unit.
Condensing Unit & Air Handler Features
W5A5S18AKAWA Outdoor Condensing Unit
- 1.5 ton (18,000 BTU) single-stage cooling with R-454B refrigerant
- Scroll compressor with internal pressure relief valve and internal thermal overload
- Factory charged with 4.2 lb of R-454B for up to 15 ft of 3/8" liquid line
- 3/4" vapor and 3/8" liquid front-seating service valves
- Field-installed filter drier included
- Dense wire coil guard and solid sheet metal cabinet
- Rated 72 dBA sound power (71 dBA with accessory sound shield)
- 10.9 MCA with 15 amp maximum fuse or breaker
- Long-line capable up to 250 ft total equivalent length
- 1-year unit replacement and 10-year parts limited warranty with timely registration
FMA5L1800AL Wall-Hung Fan Coil
- Fits between standard stud spacing for wall-hung or flush mounting
- Upflow-only design, convertible to bottom return
- 1/6 HP, 3-speed PSC blower motor on rubber grommets for quieter operation
- All-aluminum slope coil with factory TXV
- Factory-installed refrigerant leak detection system for A2L refrigerant safety
- Zero clearance required on all sides and from the supply duct
- Front service access with primary and secondary 3/4" FPT drains exiting the bottom
- Uses a 15.5" x 19.5" x 0.75" field-installed filter
- Wall hanging brackets and fresh air intake knockouts included
- Accepts optional 5, 7.5, or 10 kW field-installed electric heat kits
Specifications & Manuals
Product documentation includes W5A5S condenser specifications and installation instructions, the Grandaire AC condenser brochure, and FMA5L/FMA5X fan coil specifications, installation, service, wiring, and warranty literature to assist with equipment selection, installation, and service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size apartment is the W5A5S18AKAWA / FMA5L1800AL system suited for?
This 1.5 ton system is typically a fit for studios, one-bedroom apartments, and small condos, often in the 600 to 900 square foot range. Insulation, windows, sun exposure, and climate change that number, so a load calculation is the best way to confirm the size.
How does the FMA5L1800AL compare with the ECM-equipped FMA5X1800AL version?
Both share the same 1.5 ton cabinet, coil, and W5A5S18AKAWA condenser. The FMA5L1800AL uses a 3-speed PSC motor and is rated at 15.5 SEER2, while the FMA5X1800AL uses a 5-speed ECM motor and reaches 16.5 SEER2 in the EcoTemp 1.5 ton FMA5X1800AL system. The PSC version is the lower-cost option when a straightforward replacement is the goal.
Does this 1.5 ton condo system ship charged with R-454B?
Yes. The W5A5S18AKAWA ships with a 4.2 lb factory charge of R-454B refrigerant, sized for 15 ft of 3/8" liquid line. Longer line sets require a charge adjustment per the installation instructions. Learn more in our refrigerant transition guide.
Can the FMA5L1800AL hang in a closet above a water heater?
Yes. That is one of the most common apartment installations for this style of fan coil. It requires zero clearance on all sides, mounts with the included wall brackets, and must be installed vertically in upflow orientation. It is insulated for conditioned space only, so it should not be installed in an attic or other unconditioned area.
Is electric heat included with the FMA5L1800AL, or is it added separately?
The FMA5L1800AL ships as a no-heat model. Electric heat is added with an optional field-installed EHK-series kit in 5, 7.5, or 10 kW. Check the FMA5 product data for the matching kit and circuit requirements before ordering.
Which properties typically choose a 1.5 ton wall-mount split like this one?
Apartment complexes, condo associations, student housing, senior living communities, and owners of garage apartments or ADUs regularly use this size, especially when replacing an older 1.5 ton apartment-style closet unit with a current R-454B system.
W5A5S Technical SpecificationsW5A5S Installation InstructionsW5A5S Customer BrochureFMA5L Technical SpecificationsFMA5L Installation InstructionsFMA5L Warranty CertificateFMA5L Wiring DiagramFMA5L Service Manual
