2 Ton Rheem 17 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Heat Pump System RD16AY24AJVCA, RH2TY2417STANNJ
At 31.8 inches tall and 19.8 inches wide, the RD16AY24AJVCA is the smallest outdoor unit Budget Heating stocks in a full inverter-driven heat pump. It still runs a variable speed twin rotary compressor from 45% to 100% of capacity, and it reaches the top of its series at 17 SEER2 when matched to the RH2TY2417STANNJ two-stage air handler. Twenty-four thousand BTU of heating and cooling on low-GWP R-454B refrigerant, certified under AHRI reference 217349844, from a condenser that weighs 128 pounds and fits almost anywhere.
Is a 2 Ton Heat Pump the Right Size?
Two tons delivers 24,000 BTU per hour and typically serves 900 to 1,200 square feet in the Southeast. As a heat pump it carries the winter load as well, and the inverter compressor modulates down to roughly 0.9 tons on mild days rather than cycling at full output.
What distinguishes this pairing within the 2 ton category is that it is the efficiency peak of the Classic Plus series rather than its entry point. The 3 and 4 ton versions of the same outdoor unit certify at 16 SEER2; this one and the 5 ton reach 17. If a customer wants the smallest possible outdoor footprint and the best rating the platform offers, the 2 ton is where both land together.
Ideal for: Condominiums, townhouses, two-bedroom homes, narrow side yards, walkway-adjacent placements, and any installation where the outdoor unit has to stay visually and physically unobtrusive.
Want more efficiency and stronger cold-weather heating? The 2 Ton RD18AY24AJVCA Prestige Series system steps up to 18 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2 with the same indoor air handler.
Recommended sizing ranges are general guidelines only. Actual system requirements depend on insulation, duct design, window area, ceiling height, occupancy, heating load, and local design conditions. Run our AC tonnage and BTU calculator, request free sizing assistance, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Outdoor Heat Pump | RD16AY24AJVCA — 2 Ton Endeavor Line Classic Plus Series Side-Discharge Universal Heat Pump |
|---|---|
| Indoor Air Handler | RH2TY2417STANNJ Two-Stage Constant Torque Multiposition Air Handler |
| Application | Residential Split Heat Pump System with Field-Installed Electric Backup Heat |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Nominal Capacity | 24,000 BTU / 2 Tons |
| Rated Efficiency | 17 SEER2 Cooling, up to 10.5 EER2 and 8.5 HSPF2 |
| Outdoor Cabinet | 19.8 in. W x 40.4 in. D x 31.8 in. H, approximately 128 lb |
| Outdoor Electrical | 15.0 A minimum circuit ampacity, 25.0 A maximum overcurrent protection |
| Air Handler Cabinet Width | 17.5 inches |
| AHRI Reference Number | 217349844 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
The 15 amp minimum circuit ampacity is worth noting on its own. A 25 amp maximum overcurrent protection means this system can often go onto an existing circuit that served a much older, larger-drawing condenser without a service upgrade, which removes one of the more expensive surprises on a replacement quote.
Heat Pump & Air Handler Features
RD16AY24AJVCA Side-Discharge Heat Pump
- Smallest inverter heat pump cabinet in the range at 31.8 in. tall
- 19.8 in. wide by 40.4 in. deep, approximately 128 lb operating weight
- PlusOne variable speed twin rotary compressor with inverter drive
- Modulates continuously from 45% to 100% of rated capacity
- 15.0 A minimum circuit ampacity, 25.0 A maximum overcurrent protection
- Side discharge airflow eliminates overhead clearance requirements
- Sound as low as 50 dBA with sound blanket and swept wing fan
- EcoNet enabled with built-in Bluetooth and PlusOne Diagnostics
- 7mm condenser copper coil reduces refrigerant requirements up to 15%
- 10-year conditional parts warranty with registration, no AHRI match required
RH2TY2417STANNJ Air Handler
- Two-stage airflow on a 1/3 HP constant torque ECM motor
- Slim 17.5-inch cabinet for narrow closets and attic platforms
- 1.0 inch foil-faced cabinet insulation for quieter operation
- Aluminum fins bonded to internally grooved aluminum tubing
- Factory-installed thermal expansion valve matched to R-454B
- 4-way convertible: upflow, downflow, horizontal left and right
- Rugged steel compact cabinet construction
- Accepts field-installed auxiliary electric heater kits
- Heater kit breakers meet UL and cUL service disconnect requirements
- Less than 2% cabinet air leakage at 1-inch H2O per ASHRAE 193
Specifications & Manuals
Product documentation includes heat pump and air handler technical specifications and installation instructions to assist with equipment selection, permitting, installation, and service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RD16AY a true inverter unit or a two-stage one?
It is a true inverter. Rheem uses the same PlusOne variable speed twin rotary compressor architecture here as in the higher Prestige series, modulating continuously from 45% to 100%. The difference between the series is the certified efficiency and heating performance, not the compressor technology.
How does the RD16AY compare in size to the RD18AY?
Considerably smaller. This 2 ton cabinet stands 31.8 inches tall at 128 pounds, where the equivalent RD18AY is 36.6 inches and 177 pounds. The gap widens at larger capacities. If the outdoor space is the binding constraint, the RD16AY is usually the answer.
What is the heating efficiency of this series?
The RD16AY is rated up to 8.5 HSPF2, compared with up to 10 HSPF2 on the Prestige RD18AY. In the lower Southeast, where heating hours are limited, that difference costs relatively little in annual operating expense. In north Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas it is worth modeling before deciding.
Can this system go on my existing condenser circuit?
Often yes. With a 15.0 A minimum circuit ampacity and 25.0 A maximum overcurrent protection, this unit draws less than many older 2 ton condensers. A licensed electrician should verify the existing conductor size and breaker against the unit nameplate before reuse.
Does the smaller cabinet mean less capacity?
No. This is a full 24,000 BTU nominal system. The compact footprint comes from the 7mm condenser coil, which Rheem states reduces refrigerant requirements by up to 15%, along with the side-discharge fan arrangement rather than from any reduction in output.
What thermostat do I need for a Rheem heat pump?
A heat pump thermostat with a reversing valve output and an emergency heat setting is the minimum. An EcoNet Smart Thermostat unlocks the full modulating range and system monitoring, though the unit also runs variable speed with conventional 24V controls when the utility jumpers are set. Browse our thermostat selection.
RD16AY Technical SpecificationsRD16AY Installation InstructionsRH2TY Technical SpecificationsRH2TY Installation InstructionsRheem Warranty Certificate
