Bottom Line Up Front
The ACiQ 2-Ton 18.1 SEER2 is HVACDirect's house brand inverter heat pump using R-454B refrigerant — mandated for new equipment under EPA Section 608 rules effective January 2025. At 18.1 SEER2, it delivers efficiency comparable to Carrier and Lennox mid-tier equipment at 20-30% lower unit cost. The 10-year parts and compressor warranty matches premium brands. For cost-conscious commercial operators in climate zones 2-4, this is the best value high-efficiency heat pump available through HVACDirect.
Spec Sheet
| Model | ACIQ-24-HP / ACIQ-MH24AU3VWEC |
| Cooling | 18.1 SEER2 |
| Heating | 10.5 HSPF2 |
| Compressor | DC Inverter variable-speed |
| Refrigerant | R-454B (low-GWP) |
| Tonnage | 2 ton (24,000 BTU) |
| Min Temp | 0°F heating |
| Voltage | 208-230V / 60Hz |
| Warranty | 10-year parts, 10-year compressor |
| Price | $2,400–$5,500 installed |
Extended Analysis
ACiQ is HVACDirect's exclusive brand, manufactured by Midea — the world's largest HVAC manufacturer by volume. Midea produces OEM equipment for brands including Carrier, Trane, and Lennox. The ACiQ label allows HVACDirect to offer Midea-platform equipment without the brand markup of the named manufacturers.
R-454B (trade name Puron Advance, used by Carrier) is the primary transition refrigerant for residential and light commercial split systems. It has a GWP of 466 versus 2,088 for R-410A — a 78% reduction. R-454B is mildly flammable (A2L classification) and requires EPA 608 certified technicians with A2L training. This certification requirement affects installation planning but is rapidly becoming standard across the industry.
The 18.1 SEER2 efficiency places the ACiQ in the high-efficiency tier but below the 20+ SEER2 variable-speed premium bracket occupied by Carrier Infinity and Lennox XC21. For facilities running 1,000-1,500 annual cooling hours, the efficiency gap versus 20 SEER2 equipment costs approximately $80-$130/year — payback on the premium equipment is 12-18 years. At 1,500+ hours, higher-efficiency equipment makes more economic sense.
How It Compares
| Model | Efficiency | Price | Key Spec | Score | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACiQ 2T 18.1 SEER2 | 18.1 SEER2 | $2,400–$5,500 | R-454B, 0°F | 10 years | ★★★★☆ 4.4 |
| Goodman GSX16 2T | 16 SEER2 | $2,200–$4,800 | R-410A, 0°F | 10+lifetime | ★★★★☆ 4.3 |
| Carrier Infinity 20 2T | 20 SEER2 | $5,500–$10,000 | R-454B, -15°F | 10 years | ★★★★★ 4.8 |
Customer Reviews
ACiQ through HVACDirect is my value spec for residential and light commercial jobs. The equipment is Midea platform — same factory as Carrier and Lennox mid-tier. The R-454B is now standard on all our new installs. 10-year warranty competes with anything in the market. My clients love the price versus the brand names.
Deployed 12 units across our store network. All running after 14 months without service calls. The inverter operation keeps our stores at consistent temperature without the large swings we had with single-stage equipment. Energy cost is down 28% versus the old units. Parts availability through HVACDirect has been reliable.
Good value equipment. The R-454B certification requirement for our service techs added some friction initially but all our techs are now A2L certified. The unit itself is straightforward to install and service. I would rate it 5 stars but we had one unit with a faulty expansion valve at install — warranty replacement was handled quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is R-454B refrigerant?
R-454B (Puron Advance) is a lower-GWP refrigerant with a GWP of 466, replacing R-410A (GWP 2,088) in new residential and light commercial equipment. It is mildly flammable (A2L class) and requires EPA 608 certified technicians with A2L awareness training. All new split system equipment sold after January 2025 in the U.S. must use R-454B or another approved lower-GWP refrigerant.
Who makes ACiQ equipment?
ACiQ is HVACDirect's exclusive brand manufactured by Midea, the world's largest HVAC manufacturer. Midea produces OEM equipment for Carrier, Trane, Lennox, and other major brands. The ACiQ equipment is built on the same manufacturing platforms as major brand mid-tier products at lower cost due to the absence of brand markup.
How does ACiQ compare to Goodman?
ACiQ's inverter models (18+ SEER2) are more efficient than Goodman's standard models. Goodman is also a Midea-affiliated brand (owned by Daikin, which partners with Midea for manufacturing). Both use similar component supply chains. ACiQ has a stronger warranty (10 years) versus Goodman's standard 10-year warranty with lifetime compressor on some models. Both are excellent value choices.
What is the minimum operating temperature?
Rated heating operation to 0°F. Below 0°F, auxiliary electric heat strips are recommended. For climate zones 5-6 with temperatures routinely below -10°F, the Bosch IDS Premium or Carrier Infinity 20 with -13°F to -15°F ratings are better specifications.
Is ACiQ available at retail stores?
No. ACiQ is exclusive to HVACDirect.com. This exclusivity is how HVACDirect offers Midea-platform equipment at prices below retail channels. Warranty service is handled through HVACDirect's service network and authorized contractors.