1.5 Ton EcoTemp 16 SEER2 45K BTU Single Stage Gas System W5A5S18AKAWA, W5AM30M14XA, WFER045A036C
This is the smallest complete gas-heat system in the EcoTemp split-system lineup, and the one that fits where the others will not. The W5A5S18AKAWA outdoor condenser delivers 1.5 tons of R-454B cooling at 16 SEER2, while the WFER045A036C furnace produces 44,000 BTU/h of input and 36,000 BTU/h of output heat from a cabinet only 14-3/16 inches wide. Paired with the multi-position W5AM30M14XA cased coil on the same 14-inch cabinet footprint, the whole indoor stack drops into tight hallway closets, small utility rooms, and narrow mechanical chases that cannot take a wider furnace. It suits condos, cottages, guest houses, additions, garage apartments, and 700 to 1,100 square foot homes in mild to moderate heating climates.
Is a 1.5 Ton / 45K BTU Gas System the Right Size?
At 18,000 BTU/h of nominal cooling and 36,000 BTU/h of delivered heat, this package is built for the smallest conditioned spaces a ducted split system reasonably serves. Cooling load, not floor area, is what decides the fit: a well-insulated 1,100 square foot home with modest window area can sit comfortably on 1.5 tons, while a leaky 800 square foot home with west-facing glass may already need the 2 ton step up. The 44,000 BTU/h input side is sized the same way, against design heating load rather than square footage.
Heating and cooling loads shift with insulation R-value, window count and orientation, air infiltration, ceiling height, duct location and duct leakage, occupancy, and local design temperatures. Duct capacity matters just as much on a small system as a large one, because the WFER045A036C blower is rated to move up to 1,080 CFM and needs return and supply ducts that can carry it without excessive static pressure. Oversizing a gas furnace shortens burner cycles and hurts comfort; undersizing leaves the space short on the coldest mornings. A room-by-room load calculation is the only reliable way to confirm this pairing.
Ideal for: Condos and townhome end units, cottages and vacation homes, casitas and guest suites, garage apartments, converted attic or basement spaces, small ranch homes, and closet-installed replacements where a 14-3/16 inch furnace cabinet is the widest that will physically fit.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 2 Ton EcoTemp 16 SEER2 45K BTU Gas System W5A5S24AKAWA, W5AM24M14XA, WFER045A036C for more cooling on the same slim furnace cabinet, or keep 1.5 tons of cooling and add heat with the 1.5 Ton EcoTemp 70K BTU Gas System WFER070A036C.
Recommended sizing ranges are general guidelines only. Actual system requirements depend on insulation, window area, air infiltration, duct design, occupancy, and local design temperatures. Request free sizing assistance, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Outdoor Condenser | W5A5S18AKAWA — 1.5 Ton (18,000 BTU) R-454B Single Stage Condenser |
|---|---|
| Indoor Cased Coil | W5AM30M14XA Multi-Position A-Coil with factory-installed TXV, 14 in. cabinet |
| Gas Furnace | WFER045A036C — 44,000 BTU/h input, 36,000 BTU/h output, 80% AFUE, 2 burners |
| Furnace Cabinet Width | 14-3/16 in. — narrowest cabinet in the WFER series |
| Cooling Efficiency | 16 SEER2 (AHRI Certificate 214886785) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B low-GWP (A2L), 4.2 lb factory charge in the condenser |
| Gas Type | Natural gas as shipped — LP conversion kit is an optional add-on, not included |
| Blower / Airflow | 1/3 HP motor, up to 1,080 CFM cooling airflow, multi-position |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz condenser — MCA 10.9A, max fuse 15A |
| Furnace Electrical | 115V |
All three pieces ship as a factory-matched, AHRI-certified combination, so the 16 SEER2 rating reflects this exact condenser, coil, and furnace together rather than a mixed pairing. The W5AM30M14XA coil is intentionally a larger-face coil than the 1.5 ton condenser alone would require, which is how the combination reaches 16 SEER2 while staying on a 14-inch cabinet. Because the furnace leaves the factory configured for natural gas, propane installations need the EcoTemp AGAGC8NPS01C natural gas to LP conversion kit, available as a drop-down option on this page and sold separately. Refrigerant tubing is not included; select the correct length from our copper line sets and fittings.
Condenser, Coil & Furnace Features
W5A5S18AKAWA Outdoor Condenser
- 1.5 ton nominal cooling capacity, 16 SEER2 as rated in this system
- Hermetically sealed single stage scroll compressor
- R-454B low-GWP A2L refrigerant, 4.2 lb factory charge
- Single row condenser coil with 4 refrigerant circuits
- 72 dBA sound rating, among the quietest in the series
- Galvanized, bonderized steel cabinet with pre-paint finish
- Post-painted aluminum fins and coated wire grille resist coastal breakdown
- Dense wire coil guards on all fan openings
- 3/4 in. vapor and 3/8 in. liquid line connections
- 208-230V single phase, MCA 10.9A, 15A maximum fuse
W5AM30M14XA Cased Evaporator Coil
- Multi-poise cabinet installs upflow, downflow, or horizontal
- 14 in. nominal cabinet width matches the furnace footprint
- Vertical A-coil configuration for compact height
- Refrigerant-specific factory-installed TXV, no field metering device needed
- Built for R-454B service only
- Fiberglass-reinforced thermoset polyester condensate pan
- Separate drain pans for vertical and horizontal orientations
- Sweat connections for leak-free field brazing
- Exceeds 2,100 psi burst pressure requirements
- Larger coil face area than 1.5 tons alone requires, aiding the 16 SEER2 rating
WFER045A036C Gas Furnace
- 44,000 BTU/h input and 36,000 BTU/h output at 80% AFUE
- 14-3/16 in. cabinet width, the narrowest WFER cabinet offered
- Two-burner single stage gas valve for steady, simple heat delivery
- 1/3 HP blower motor rated to 1,080 CFM cooling airflow
- Sized to carry cooling airflow up to 3 tons, leaving headroom on a 1.5 ton system
- Multi-position: upflow, downflow, and horizontal left or right
- Metal-vented Category I design for conventional flue installations
- Natural gas from the factory, field-convertible to propane
- 20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
- Compatible with standard single stage thermostats and controls
Specifications & Manuals
Product documentation includes condenser and furnace technical specifications, installation instructions for all three components, cased coil literature, and warranty information to assist with equipment selection, installation, and service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the 14-3/16 in. WFER045A036C cabinet fit an existing narrow furnace closet?
The WFER045A036C uses the narrowest cabinet in the WFER series at 14-3/16 inches wide, and the W5AM30M14XA coil sits on a matching 14-inch nominal cabinet. That combination is the reason this system gets specified for closet and chase replacements. Always measure the closet opening, the door swing, and the service clearance in front of the burner compartment before ordering, and confirm the flue and gas line locations against the installation instructions.
Why is a 2.5 ton W5AM30M14XA coil matched to a 1.5 ton condenser?
A larger coil face area moves more heat for the same compressor work, which is how this combination earns its 16 SEER2 rating. The pairing is a factory-approved, AHRI-certified match under certificate 214886785, and the coil's factory-installed TXV is refrigerant-specific for R-454B, so the metering stays correct for the 1.5 ton charge.
Is 44,000 BTU of gas heat enough for a home this size?
The WFER045A036C delivers 36,000 BTU/h of output heat from 44,000 BTU/h of input at 80% AFUE. In mild and moderate heating climates that generally covers the same 700 to 1,100 square foot range this cooling capacity serves. In colder regions, or in homes with poor insulation and high infiltration, the 66,000 BTU/h input version of this system is usually the better match. A heating load calculation confirms which side of that line a specific home falls on.
Does this system ship ready for propane?
No. The furnace is configured for natural gas at the factory. Propane operation requires the AGAGC8NPS01C conversion kit, which supplies LP orifices, the regulator spring, and instructions. The kit is offered as a drop-down option on this page and is not included in the system price. Note that older documentation may reference part number AGAGC8NPS01A; AGAGC8NPS01C is the current replacement.
What line set sizes does the W5A5S18AKAWA need?
The W5A5S18AKAWA is built with a 3/4 inch vapor connection and a 3/8 inch liquid connection. Line sets are not included with the system. Refer to the W5A5S installation instructions for length and lift limits before selecting tubing, and consult the long-line application guidance for runs beyond standard length.
Can the WFER045A036C be installed horizontally in an attic or crawlspace?
Yes. Both the furnace and the W5AM30M14XA coil are multi-position designs, so the system can be applied upflow, downflow, or horizontal left and right. The coil ships with separate drain pan provisions for vertical and horizontal orientations. Horizontal attic installations require attention to secondary drain pan requirements and proper condensate routing per local code.
W5A5S Technical SpecificationsW5A5S Installation InstructionsW5A5S Customer BrochureWFER Technical SpecificationsWFER Installation InstructionsW5AM Technical SpecificationsW5AM Installation InstructionsICP Warranty Certificate
