Lennox EL296UHV Error Code A: CFM Setting Display
What Does Code A Mean?
The "A" indicator on the Lennox EL296UHV (lit about 1 second on, half a second off) tells you the SureLight integrated control is about to show the cubic-feet-per-minute (CFM) airflow the variable-speed ECM blower is set to for whatever mode is currently running. Because this model uses a communicating, variable-speed blower, its airflow is a programmed value rather than a fixed speed tap, so the board can report it back to you as a number on the seven-segment display.
The "A" is normally followed by the CFM figure for the current mode. It relates directly to the mode letters you will also see on this control: "H" for gas heat, "C" for cooling, the lowercase "h" for heat-pump heat in a dual-fuel pairing, and "d" for dehumidification. Each of those modes has its own airflow target that the ECM blower ramps to.
This readout is most useful during setup or airflow troubleshooting. It lets an installer confirm the blower is delivering the CFM configured for the selected stage without connecting external instruments. It commands nothing and never indicates a fault on its own.
What You'll Notice
- The display briefly shows "A" and then a number, which is the airflow (CFM) the blower is set to for the current mode.
- The furnace and blower keep running normally while this figure is shown; nothing shuts down or changes behavior.
How This Is Diagnosed
The "A" and the number after it simply report the programmed blower CFM for the active mode, so reading it is how you confirm the airflow configuration. It only matters if the displayed CFM does not match the value an installer selected for that stage, which points to a configuration mismatch rather than a fault.
- The CFM shown after "A" is far lower than the value configured for that stage and the home is not heating or cooling adequately.
- The airflow readout never changes between heating and cooling even though the two modes were set for different CFM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the "A" on my Lennox furnace mean?
It is an information code that precedes the blower airflow (CFM) reading for whatever mode is running at that moment. It is normal and indicates no problem.
Should I change anything when I see "A"?
No. It is a diagnostic readout only. Airflow CFM values are set by the installer during configuration; a homeowner does not adjust them from this display.
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026