3 Ton EcoTemp 15.5 SEER2 70K BTU Single Stage Gas System W5A5S36AKDWA, W5AM36M17XA, WFER070B036C
Three tons is the most-replaced size in American residential HVAC, and this package covers it with the leaner of the two heating options. The W5A5S36AKDWA condenser delivers 36,000 BTU/h of R-454B cooling at 15.5 SEER2 through a two-row, eight-circuit outdoor coil, feeding a W5AM36M17XA cased coil on the 17-1/2 inch class cabinet. Heat comes from the three-burner WFER070B036C at 66,000 BTU/h input and 54,000 BTU/h output, 80% AFUE, in a matching 17-1/2 inch cabinet. The pairing is aimed at 1,500 to 2,000 square foot homes across the mid-South, Southwest, and southern Midwest, where cooling drives the sizing and winter heat needs to be adequate rather than abundant. This is also the first size in the range where the condenser moves to a 7/8 inch vapor line.
Is a 3 Ton / 70K BTU Gas System the Right Size?
Three tons of cooling typically serves 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, sliding wider in mild coastal climates and narrower in desert or heavily glazed homes. At 54,000 BTU/h of heat output the winter side is proportionate for climates with design temperatures in the twenties and above. In colder regions, or in a two-story home with a poorly insulated second floor, the 90K version of this same cooling package is the better match, and choosing between the two is the single most consequential decision on this page.
Beyond the load calculation itself, a 3 ton system starts to expose duct limitations that smaller equipment tolerates. Cooling airflow of roughly 1,200 CFM needs return and supply capacity to match; undersized returns raise static pressure, cut delivered capacity, and shorten blower life regardless of how well the equipment is matched. Insulation, glazing, infiltration, duct location, and internal gains all shape the load, but on this size the ductwork deserves as much scrutiny as the equipment selection.
Ideal for: Homes of roughly 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, mid-South and Southwest single-family construction, 1980s to 2000s tract housing on a single zone, ranch layouts with straightforward duct runs, and standard 3 ton replacements where the existing furnace closet already accommodates a 17-1/2 inch cabinet.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 3.5 Ton EcoTemp 15.5 SEER2 90K BTU Gas System W5A5S42AKAWA, W5AM42M21XA, WFER090C048C, or keep 3 tons of cooling and increase heat with the 3 Ton EcoTemp 90K BTU Gas System WFER090B042C.
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 | W5A5S36AKDWA — 3 Ton (36,000 BTU) R-454B Single Stage Condenser |
|---|---|
| Indoor Cased Coil | W5AM36M17XA 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, matched to the 17 in. class coil |
| Cooling Efficiency | 15.5 SEER2 (AHRI Certificate 217402792) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B low-GWP (A2L), 6.9 lb factory charge in the condenser |
| Outdoor Coil | Two rows, 8 refrigerant circuits, 20 fins per inch |
| Gas Type | Natural gas as shipped — LP conversion kit is an optional add-on, not included |
| Line Connections | 7/8 in. vapor, 3/8 in. liquid — larger vapor line than smaller sizes |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz condenser — MCA 17.6A, max fuse 30A |
The 3 ton condenser is the first in this range built with a two-row outdoor coil, eight refrigerant circuits, and 20 fins per inch, which is how it holds a 15.5 SEER2 rating at higher capacity. It also carries the largest factory charge in the lower half of the range at 6.9 lb. Note the vapor line steps up to 7/8 inch here, so a retrofit reusing 3/4 inch tubing from a smaller system will not be a straight swap. Suitable tubing is available in our complete split systems and equipment add-ons sections. Propane installations require the EcoTemp AGAGC8NPS01C LP conversion kit, selectable from the drop-down and not included.
Condenser, Coil & Furnace Features
W5A5S36AKDWA Outdoor Condenser
- 36,000 BTU nominal cooling at 15.5 SEER2 in this match
- Single stage hermetically sealed scroll compressor
- R-454B low-GWP A2L refrigerant, 6.9 lb factory charge
- Two-row outdoor coil with 8 refrigerant circuits
- 20 fins per inch for higher heat rejection per square foot
- 72 dBA sound rating
- Galvanized, bonderized steel cabinet with pre-paint finish
- Post-painted aluminum fins and coated wire grille
- 7/8 in. vapor and 3/8 in. liquid sweat connections
- MCA 17.6A, 30A maximum fuse, 208-230V single phase
W5AM36M17XA Cased Evaporator Coil
- 3 ton nominal coil matched to the 36,000 BTU condenser
- 900 to 1,500 CFM airflow range
- 17 in. class cabinet, flush with the B-size furnace
- Vertical A-coil configuration
- Multi-poise: upflow, downflow, horizontal left or right
- Factory-installed R-454B specific TXV
- Dedicated R-454B construction
- Thermoset polyester condensate pan, fiberglass reinforced
- Separate drain pan provisions for horizontal orientation
- Sweat connections with compression fitting provisions
WFER070B036C Gas Furnace
- 66,000 BTU/h input, 54,000 BTU/h output at 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 class, certified for cooling systems up to 3 tons
- Four-position installation: upflow, downflow, horizontal either hand
- Category I metal-vented, conventional flue compatible
- Factory natural gas configuration, field LP convertible
- 20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
- Standard 24V single stage control interface
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
How does the W5A5S36AKDWA differ mechanically from the 2.5 ton condenser?
The jump to 3 tons brings a genuine coil change rather than just a larger compressor. The 2.5 ton unit uses a single-row coil with six circuits; the 3 ton moves to two rows, eight circuits, and 20 fins per inch. Factory charge rises from 5.5 to 6.9 lb, minimum circuit ampacity from 16.5 to 17.6 amps, and the vapor connection from 3/4 to 7/8 inch.
Why does the 3 ton condenser use a 7/8 inch vapor line instead of 3/4 inch?
Larger capacity moves more refrigerant mass, and vapor line diameter has to grow with it to keep pressure drop and velocity within design limits. Too small a suction line at 3 tons costs capacity and can compromise oil return. This is why a 3 ton retrofit over 2 or 2.5 ton tubing usually requires new line set rather than reuse.
Is 54,000 BTU of heat output enough behind 3 tons of cooling?
In warm and moderate climates, generally yes. The ratio works where design heating temperatures stay in the twenties or above and the home has average or better insulation. Where winters are harder, or the second floor of a two-story home runs cold, the 88,000 BTU/h input version delivering 71,000 BTU/h of output is the appropriate choice. A heating load calculation at your design temperature settles it.
What exactly separates this system from the 90K BTU version?
Only the furnace. Both use the W5A5S36AKDWA condenser and W5AM36M17XA coil, so cooling capacity and the 15.5 SEER2 class are the same. This system uses the three-burner WFER070B036C at 66,000 BTU/h input; the other uses the four-burner WFER090B042C at 88,000 BTU/h input with a larger 1/2 HP blower. Both furnaces occupy the same 17-1/2 inch cabinet width.
Can a zoning system be added to single stage equipment like this?
Zoning is possible with single stage equipment, but it demands careful design: bypass or dump-zone provisions, minimum airflow protection for the coil and heat exchanger, and controls that prevent the system from operating against too few open zones. Two-stage or variable-speed equipment tolerates zoning far more gracefully. If zoning is a firm requirement, discuss the design before selecting equipment.
Does a 3 ton system need a larger return duct than a 2.5 ton?
Yes. Airflow requirements scale with capacity, and roughly 1,200 CFM at 3 tons versus 1,000 CFM at 2.5 tons is about a 20 percent increase in air the return path must carry. Reusing an undersized return is one of the most common reasons an otherwise correct system underperforms. Return grille area, filter face area, and duct sizing should all be checked against the new airflow before installation.
W5A5S Technical SpecificationsW5A5S Installation InstructionsW5A5S Customer BrochureWFER Technical SpecificationsWFER Installation InstructionsW5AM Technical SpecificationsW5AM Installation InstructionsICP Warranty Certificate
