1.5 Ton EcoTemp 16 SEER2 70K BTU Single Stage Gas System W5A5S18AKAWA, W5AM30M14XA, WFER070A036C
Some homes need only a little cooling but a serious amount of heat. That is exactly what this configuration answers: 1.5 tons of R-454B cooling from the W5A5S18AKAWA condenser at 16 SEER2, backed by a three-burner WFER070A036C furnace producing 66,000 BTU/h of input and 54,000 BTU/h of output heat. The heating side is 50 percent larger than the 45K version of this system, yet the furnace still occupies the same slim 14-3/16 inch cabinet, and the multi-position W5AM30M14XA cased coil sits on a matching 14-inch footprint. It is the practical answer for older, drafty homes in northern and mountain climates, high-ceilinged spaces, and cabins or lake houses that lose heat quickly but never need much air conditioning.
Is a 1.5 Ton / 70K BTU Gas System the Right Size?
This package deliberately runs a heat-heavy ratio. The cooling side stays at 18,000 BTU/h nominal, appropriate for roughly 700 to 1,100 square feet in most climates, while the heating side delivers 54,000 BTU/h of output, which is enough for considerably more square footage in mild regions or for a smaller footprint with heavy heat loss. That imbalance is the point. Homes with single-pane windows, minimal wall insulation, cathedral ceilings, or exposed floors over crawlspaces routinely need far more heating capacity than cooling capacity, and forcing both sides to the same nominal tonnage leaves the winter side short.
What decides whether this ratio fits is a heating load calculation at your local design temperature, weighed against the cooling load at design cooling conditions. Wall and attic R-values, glazing type and orientation, blower door leakage, duct location, ceiling volume, and how much of the home is actively conditioned all move those two numbers independently. The furnace blower is rated to 1,070 CFM in cooling, so duct static pressure and return capacity still need checking even though cooling capacity is modest. Where the heating load lands closer to 36,000 BTU/h of output, the 45K version of this system is the better economic fit.
Ideal for: Pre-1980 homes with original insulation, cabins and lake houses, northern and mountain-climate installations, homes with vaulted or two-story ceilings, additions over unheated space, and closet replacements that need heavy heat output from a 14-3/16 inch cabinet.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 2 Ton EcoTemp 16 SEER2 70K BTU Gas System W5A5S24AKAWA, W5AM24M14XA, WFER070A036C to add cooling while keeping the same 66,000 BTU furnace, or scale the heat back with the 1.5 Ton EcoTemp 45K BTU Gas System WFER045A036C.
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 | WFER070A036C — 66,000 BTU/h input, 54,000 BTU/h output, 80% AFUE, 3 burners |
| Furnace Cabinet Width | 14-3/16 in. — same narrow A-size cabinet as the 45K model |
| Cooling Efficiency | 16 SEER2 (AHRI Certificate 214886824) |
| 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 1,070 CFM cooling airflow, multi-position |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz condenser — MCA 10.9A, max fuse 15A |
| Furnace Electrical | 115V |
Cooling performance here is identical to the 45K version because the condenser and coil are the same pair; the entire difference sits in the heat exchanger, burner count, and gas valve capacity of the furnace. That makes this the straightforward choice when a home's winter load, not its summer load, is driving the equipment decision. The furnace arrives set up for natural gas, so propane jobs need the EcoTemp AGAGC8NPS01C LP conversion kit, offered as a drop-down option on this page and sold separately. Compare the rest of the range on our gas furnaces and complete gas systems page.
Condenser, Coil & Furnace Features
W5A5S18AKAWA Outdoor Condenser
- 18,000 BTU nominal cooling, rated 16 SEER2 in this combination
- Single stage hermetic scroll compressor
- R-454B low-GWP A2L refrigerant with 4.2 lb factory charge
- Single row outdoor coil, 4 refrigerant circuits
- 72 dBA operating sound level
- Bonderized galvanized steel cabinet with pre-paint finish
- Post-painted aluminum fin stock for corrosion resistance
- Coated wire grille and dense fan guards
- 3/4 in. vapor and 3/8 in. liquid sweat connections
- Long-line capable to 250 ft total equivalent length with accessories
W5AM30M14XA Cased Evaporator Coil
- Multi-poise cabinet for upflow, downflow, or horizontal application
- 14 in. nominal cabinet width, flush with the A-size furnace
- Vertical A-coil for minimum installed height
- Factory-installed R-454B specific TXV
- Dedicated for R-454B systems only
- Thermoset polyester condensate pan, fiberglass reinforced
- Sloped pan design for complete drainage
- Separate horizontal drain pan provisions
- Sweat line connections with compression fitting provisions
- Rated beyond 2,100 psi burst pressure
WFER070A036C Gas Furnace
- 66,000 BTU/h input, 54,000 BTU/h output, 80% AFUE
- Three-burner assembly on a single stage gas valve
- 14-3/16 in. cabinet width despite the higher input rating
- 1/3 HP blower rated to 1,070 CFM in cooling mode
- Handles cooling airflow up to 3 tons for future upgrades
- Upflow, downflow, and horizontal left or right installation
- Category I metal-vented design for conventional flues
- Ships natural gas, field-convertible with the AGAGC8NPS01C kit
- 20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
- Works with standard 24V single stage heat/cool 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
What changes between the 45K and 70K versions of this 1.5 ton system?
Only the furnace. Both systems use the W5A5S18AKAWA condenser and W5AM30M14XA coil, so cooling capacity and the 16 SEER2 class rating are effectively the same. This version substitutes the WFER070A036C, which raises input from 44,000 to 66,000 BTU/h and output from 36,000 to 54,000 BTU/h using three burners instead of two. Cabinet width stays at 14-3/16 inches on both.
Will 66,000 BTU of gas heat be too much for a home that only needs 1.5 tons of cooling?
Not necessarily. Heating and cooling loads are calculated separately and often diverge sharply. A poorly insulated home in a cold climate can need 54,000 BTU/h of heat output while its cooling load stays under 18,000 BTU/h, because winter heat loss and summer heat gain respond to different factors. That said, a genuinely oversized furnace short-cycles and delivers uneven comfort, so this pairing should be confirmed against a heating load calculation rather than chosen for headroom alone.
Why does the WFER070A036C use three burners instead of two?
Burner count scales with input rating. The 44,000 BTU/h WFER045A036C uses two burners, while this 66,000 BTU/h model uses three to fire the larger heat exchanger evenly. Both remain single stage, meaning all burners light together at full input on a heat call rather than staging in steps.
Is the blower airflow different from the 45K BTU version?
Marginally. Both use a 1/3 HP motor, with the WFER070A036C rated to 1,070 CFM in cooling versus 1,080 CFM on the 45K model, a difference with no practical effect on a 1.5 ton cooling system. Both are rated to carry cooling airflow for systems up to 3 tons, which leaves room if the outdoor unit is ever upsized.
Does the 10-year parts warranty require registration?
Yes. The standard coverage is one year unit replacement plus five years parts, and the extension to 10 years parts requires product registration within 90 days of installation for the original owner. The heat exchanger carries a separate 20-year limited warranty. Review the ICP Warranty Certificate linked above for the exact terms and any state-specific provisions.
What thermostat works with this single stage gas system?
Any standard 24V single stage heat, single stage cool thermostat will control this system, including most programmable and smart models wired with a common conductor. No communicating or proprietary control is required. Browse compatible options in our thermostats and controls section, and see equipment add-ons for installation accessories.
W5A5S Technical SpecificationsW5A5S Installation InstructionsW5A5S Customer BrochureWFER Technical SpecificationsWFER Installation InstructionsW5AM Technical SpecificationsW5AM Installation InstructionsICP Warranty Certificate
