3 Ton EcoTemp 15.5 SEER2 90K BTU Single Stage Gas System W5A5S36AKDWA, W5AM36M17XA, WFER090B042C
This configuration takes the standard 3 ton EcoTemp cooling package and puts serious heating capacity behind it without leaving the 17-1/2 inch cabinet. The W5A5S36AKDWA condenser supplies 36,000 BTU/h of R-454B cooling at 15.5 SEER2 through its two-row, eight-circuit outdoor coil and a W5AM36M17XA cased coil. The heat comes from a four-burner WFER090B042C rated 88,000 BTU/h input and 71,000 BTU/h output at 80% AFUE, driven by a 1/2 HP blower rated to 1,210 CFM and carrying the 042 airflow designation. That combination — high heat output, healthy airflow, mid-width cabinet — makes it the workhorse choice for 1,500 to 2,000 square foot homes in the Midwest, Northeast, and Mountain West, and for two-story layouts where the upstairs has always struggled in winter.
Is a 3 Ton / 90K BTU Gas System the Right Size?
The distinguishing feature here is the heating-to-cooling ratio. At 71,000 BTU/h of output against 36,000 BTU/h of cooling, the furnace is sized for cold-climate design temperatures while the air conditioner stays at the most common residential capacity. Homes that fit tend to run 1,500 to 2,000 square feet with real winter exposure: older two-story houses, homes over unheated basements or crawlspaces, houses with substantial north-facing glass, or additions that were never properly insulated.
Two cautions apply at this heat level. First, an 88,000 BTU/h input furnace in a home that only needs 50,000 leads to short burner cycles, uneven room temperatures, and unnecessary fuel use — the heating load calculation genuinely matters. Second, the 1,210 CFM blower rating exceeds what 3 tons of cooling requires, which is an advantage for duct systems with high static pressure but means the cooling airflow should be set deliberately at commissioning rather than left at a default tap. Insulation, glazing, infiltration, duct location, and ceiling volume all shape the underlying loads.
Ideal for: Midwest, Northeast, and Mountain West homes of about 1,500 to 2,000 square feet, two-story houses with a cold second floor, homes above unheated basements or crawlspaces, pre-1990 construction with original insulation, and duct systems that benefit from the extra blower capability of a 1/2 HP motor.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 3.5 Ton EcoTemp 15.5 SEER2 90K BTU Gas System W5A5S42AKAWA, W5AM42M21XA, WFER090C048C for more cooling with comparable heat, or reduce the heating side with the 3 Ton EcoTemp 70K BTU Gas System WFER070B036C.
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 | WFER090B042C — 88,000 BTU/h input, 71,000 BTU/h output, 80% AFUE, 4 burners |
| Furnace Cabinet Width | 17-1/2 in. — highest heat output offered on the B-size cabinet |
| Cooling Efficiency | 15.5 SEER2 (AHRI Certificate 217402822) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B low-GWP (A2L), 6.9 lb factory charge in the condenser |
| Blower / Airflow | 1/2 HP motor, 1,210 CFM rated cooling airflow, 042 airflow class |
| 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 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz condenser — MCA 17.6A, max fuse 30A |
Compared with the 70K version of this system, the change is not just burner count. The WFER090B042C steps the blower from 1/3 to 1/2 HP and the airflow class from 036 to 042, which means the same 17-1/2 inch cabinet now supports cooling airflow appropriate to 3.5 tons. For a homeowner who may eventually increase cooling capacity, that headroom has practical value. Everything else in the mechanical room stays the same width. Propane conversion uses the EcoTemp AGAGC8NPS01C LP kit, available from the drop-down and sold separately. Compare heating options across the range on our gas furnaces and gas systems page.
Condenser, Coil & Furnace Features
W5A5S36AKDWA Outdoor Condenser
- 36,000 BTU nominal cooling, 15.5 SEER2 certified in this match
- Single stage hermetic scroll compressor
- R-454B low-GWP A2L refrigerant, 6.9 lb factory charge
- Two-row outdoor coil, 8 refrigerant circuits, 20 fins per inch
- 72 dBA sound rating
- Bonderized galvanized steel cabinet, pre-paint finish
- Post-painted aluminum fin stock and coated wire grille
- Dense wire coil guards on fan openings
- 7/8 in. vapor and 3/8 in. liquid connections
- Long-line capable to 250 ft total equivalent length with accessories
W5AM36M17XA Cased Evaporator Coil
- 3 ton nominal coil, 900 to 1,500 CFM airflow range
- Airflow range accommodates the furnace's higher 1,210 CFM rating
- 17 in. class cabinet matched to the B-size furnace
- Vertical A-coil configuration
- Multi-poise installation in four orientations
- Factory-installed R-454B specific TXV
- Built for R-454B service only
- Fiberglass-reinforced thermoset polyester drain pan
- Separate horizontal drain pan provisions
- Exceeds 2,100 psi burst pressure requirement
WFER090B042C Gas Furnace
- 88,000 BTU/h input, 71,000 BTU/h output at 80% AFUE
- Four-burner assembly on a single stage gas valve
- 17-1/2 in. cabinet, same width as the 66,000 BTU model
- 1/2 HP blower motor, upgraded from the 1/3 HP 070B
- 1,210 CFM rated cooling airflow, 042 airflow designation
- Supports cooling systems up to 3.5 tons for future upsizing
- Upflow, downflow, and horizontal left or right installation
- Category I metal-vented for conventional flue systems
- Natural gas from the factory, field-convertible to LP
- 20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
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
Why pair an 88,000 BTU furnace with only 3 tons of cooling?
Because heating and cooling loads are independent. A 1,800 square foot two-story home in Michigan or Colorado can need 71,000 BTU/h of heat output while its cooling load stays at 36,000 BTU/h, since winter heat loss scales with temperature difference and envelope quality while summer gain is dominated by solar and internal loads. This pairing exists specifically for cold-climate homes at the most common cooling size.
Does the WFER090B042C use a larger blower motor than the 70K furnace?
Yes. The 070B model uses a 1/3 HP motor rated to 1,005 CFM; this one uses a 1/2 HP motor rated to 1,210 CFM. The larger motor is needed to carry the additional heated air from a 71,000 BTU/h output heat exchanger, and it also gives the cooling side more capability against duct static pressure.
What does the 042 in WFER090B042C indicate?
It is the cooling airflow designation, expressing the largest nominal cooling capacity the blower is rated to serve — 042 for 3.5 tons. The B identifies the 17-1/2 inch cabinet size, and 090 the nominal 90,000 BTU/h input class, actual rated input being 88,000 BTU/h. Reading the model number this way makes the 036, 042, 048, and 060 variants easy to compare.
Is a 17-1/2 inch cabinet still closet-friendly at 88,000 BTU?
For most installations, yes. This is the highest input rating offered in the B cabinet, so it delivers cold-climate heating capacity without moving to the 21-inch C chassis that larger furnaces require. Service clearance in front of the burner compartment and the vent connection geometry still need checking against the installation instructions, particularly in tight closets.
Will a 1,210 CFM blower push too much air across a 3 ton coil?
Not if it is commissioned properly. The W5AM36M17XA coil is rated for 900 to 1,500 CFM, so 1,210 CFM sits inside its range. Cooling airflow should be set to roughly 1,200 CFM for 3 tons, or lower in humid climates where reduced airflow improves latent removal. The point of the larger blower is capability against static pressure, not running at maximum by default.
Can this system serve a two-story home on a single zone?
It frequently does, and the heat-heavy configuration helps, because upper floors lose heat fastest in winter. Success depends on duct design: adequate supply to second-floor rooms, balanced returns, and dampers set at commissioning. Where the temperature split between floors remains large after balancing, the underlying issue is usually duct distribution or attic insulation rather than equipment capacity. A compatible programmable control from our thermostats and controls range can help manage setback schedules across floors.
W5A5S Technical SpecificationsW5A5S Installation InstructionsW5A5S Customer BrochureWFER Technical SpecificationsWFER Installation InstructionsW5AM Technical SpecificationsW5AM Installation InstructionsICP Warranty Certificate
