2.5 Ton EcoTemp 15.5 SEER2 70K BTU Single Stage Gas System W5A5S30AKAWA, W5AM30M17XA, WFER070B036C
This is where the EcoTemp gas range steps off the narrow platform and onto the 17-1/2 inch B cabinet, and the payoff shows up in two places. The W5A5S30AKAWA condenser still delivers 30,000 BTU/h of R-454B cooling, but paired with the wider W5AM30M17XA coil the certified rating rises to 15.5 SEER2 instead of 15.2. The three-burner WFER070B036C furnace adds real heating muscle at 66,000 BTU/h input and 54,000 BTU/h output, 80% AFUE. Together they suit 1,300 to 1,700 square foot homes in four-season climates — the Carolinas, Virginia, Missouri, Kansas, Oregon, and similar regions where 2.5 tons handles August and 54,000 BTU/h of output handles January. It is the natural choice whenever the mechanical space can accept a 17-1/2 inch cabinet.
Is a 2.5 Ton / 70K BTU Gas System the Right Size?
Thirty thousand BTU/h of cooling against 54,000 BTU/h of heat output is a well-proportioned ratio for a genuine four-season home. The range it fits, roughly 1,300 to 1,700 square feet, overlaps with the 45K version, but the two are aimed at different climates rather than different sizes. Choose this configuration when your winter design temperature reaches the twenties or lower, when the home has a basement or crawlspace losing heat, or when previous winters had the old furnace running nearly continuously on cold mornings.
Both loads need calculating independently, and the wider cabinet changes one practical consideration: the W5AM30M17XA coil and the 17-1/2 inch furnace need more closet width and often a different plenum transition than the 14-inch equipment they replace. Verify clearances before ordering. On the performance side, insulation levels, window specification, infiltration, duct location and leakage, ceiling volume, and internal gains all move the numbers, and duct capacity governs whether the rated airflow is actually achievable at reasonable static pressure.
Ideal for: Four-season homes of about 1,300 to 1,700 square feet, houses with heated basements or vented crawlspaces, 1970s to 1990s construction in the Upper South and Midwest, basement-installed upflow replacements, and installations where the extra 3-1/2 inches of cabinet width is available and worth the efficiency gain.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 3 Ton EcoTemp 15.5 SEER2 70K BTU Gas System W5A5S36AKDWA, W5AM36M17XA, WFER070B036C for more cooling on the same furnace, or compare the narrow-cabinet 2.5 Ton EcoTemp 15.2 SEER2 45K BTU Gas System if space is restricted.
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 | W5A5S30AKAWA — 2.5 Ton (30,000 BTU) R-454B Single Stage Condenser |
|---|---|
| Indoor Cased Coil | W5AM30M17XA Multi-Position A-Coil with factory-installed TXV, 17 in. cabinet |
| Gas Furnace | WFER070B036C — 66,000 BTU/h input, 54,000 BTU/h output, 80% AFUE, 3 burners |
| Furnace Cabinet Width | 17-1/2 in. — B-size cabinet, one step up from the narrow A chassis |
| Cooling Efficiency | 15.5 SEER2 (AHRI Certificate 214965623) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B low-GWP (A2L), 5.5 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, 1,005 CFM rated cooling airflow, 036 airflow class |
| Sound Level | 71 dBA condenser — lowest rating in the W5A5S range |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz condenser — MCA 16.5A, max fuse 25A |
The efficiency difference between this system and its 14-inch counterpart comes entirely from the coil cabinet. Wider cabinets house more coil face area, which lowers refrigerant-side temperature difference and reduces compressor work for the same cooling output. That is why the identical W5A5S30AKAWA condenser certifies at 15.5 SEER2 here and 15.2 SEER2 on the narrow coil. Line sets are not included; this condenser uses 3/4 inch vapor and 3/8 inch liquid connections, which you can source from our copper line sets and fittings range. For propane, add the EcoTemp AGAGC8NPS01C LP conversion kit from the drop-down; it is sold separately.
Condenser, Coil & Furnace Features
W5A5S30AKAWA Outdoor Condenser
- 30,000 BTU nominal cooling, 15.5 SEER2 in this wider-coil match
- Single stage hermetic scroll compressor
- R-454B low-GWP A2L refrigerant, 5.5 lb factory charge
- Six-circuit single row condenser coil
- 71 dBA, the quietest condenser in the W5A5S gas system range
- Bonderized galvanized steel cabinet with pre-paint finish
- Post-painted aluminum fins and coated wire grille
- Dense wire safety guards on fan openings
- 3/4 in. vapor and 3/8 in. liquid sweat connections
- MCA 16.5A, 25A maximum fuse on 208-230V single phase
W5AM30M17XA Cased Evaporator Coil
- 2.5 ton nominal coil on the wider 17 in. cabinet
- Greater coil face area lifts system rating to 15.5 SEER2
- 750 to 1,250 CFM airflow range
- Vertical A-coil configuration
- Multi-poise for upflow, downflow, and horizontal application
- Factory-installed TXV specific to R-454B
- R-454B dedicated construction
- Fiberglass-reinforced thermoset polyester condensate pan
- Separate horizontal drain pan provisions
- Burst pressure rating above 2,100 psi
WFER070B036C Gas Furnace
- 66,000 BTU/h input, 54,000 BTU/h output, 80% AFUE
- Three-burner single stage gas valve
- 17-1/2 in. B-size cabinet
- 1/3 HP blower motor, 1,005 CFM rated cooling airflow
- 036 airflow designation for cooling systems up to 3 tons
- Upflow, downflow, and horizontal left or right installation
- Category I metal-vented for conventional flue systems
- Ships configured for natural gas, LP convertible
- 20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
- Standard 24V single stage thermostat control
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 does moving up to the 17-1/2 inch B cabinet actually gain?
Two things. The wider W5AM30M17XA coil raises the certified system rating from 15.2 to 15.5 SEER2 with the same condenser, and the B-size furnace chassis opens the door to higher heat inputs, up to 88,000 BTU/h in this cabinet family. The cost is 3-1/2 inches of installation width plus, in many retrofits, a new plenum transition.
Why is the rated blower airflow lower on the B cabinet furnace than the narrow A cabinet?
The WFER070B036C lists 1,005 CFM at rated conditions versus 1,070 CFM for the A-cabinet WFER070A036C, a function of the internal heat exchanger and blower housing geometry rather than motor size — both use a 1/3 HP motor. Both carry the same 036 airflow designation for cooling systems up to 3 tons, and at 2.5 tons the requirement of roughly 1,000 CFM sits comfortably inside that rating.
Does the wider coil require different duct transitions than a 14-inch cabinet?
Usually yes on a retrofit. The coil and furnace share the 17-1/2 inch class width, so the supply plenum needs to match that dimension rather than the narrower opening a 14-inch unit left behind. Field-fabricated or adjustable transitions handle this routinely, but it should be planned rather than discovered at installation. Return side connections are typically less affected.
Is this system a good fit for a basement installation?
It is one of the better fits in the range. Basements normally have the width for a 17-1/2 inch cabinet, upflow is the natural orientation, and the higher 54,000 BTU/h output suits homes with basement heat loss. Condensate drainage and combustion air provisions still need attention, along with the venting requirements in the installation instructions where the furnace shares a chimney with a water heater.
How long can the refrigerant line set be on this 2.5 ton system?
The W5A5S series supports long-line applications up to 250 feet total equivalent length when the required accessories and modifications are applied. Standard installations are far shorter, and both length and vertical lift affect oil return and charge adjustment. Consult the long-line guidance in the W5A5S installation instructions before exceeding standard run lengths.
What annual maintenance does an 80% AFUE furnace need?
Typical annual service covers filter replacement, burner and flame sensor inspection and cleaning, heat exchanger visual inspection, draft and venting check, blower wheel cleaning, condensate path verification for the cooling season, and confirmation of gas pressure and temperature rise against the values in the installation instructions. Keeping filters clean matters most for maintaining rated airflow across both heating and cooling modes.
W5A5S Technical SpecificationsW5A5S Installation InstructionsW5A5S Customer BrochureWFER Technical SpecificationsWFER Installation InstructionsW5AM Technical SpecificationsW5AM Installation InstructionsICP Warranty Certificate
