2 Ton Rheem 17 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Variable Speed Heat Pump System RD16AY24AJVCA, RH2VY2417STACNJ
Both halves of this system modulate. The RD16AY24AJVCA outdoor unit runs a variable speed twin rotary compressor from 45% to 100% of capacity in a cabinet just 31.8 inches tall, and the RH2VY2417STACNJ air handler answers it with a constant CFM blower that ramps continuously rather than stepping between fixed speeds. Both are EcoNet enabled with Bluetooth commissioning. The pairing is capacity-specific rather than borrowed from a larger coil family, delivering 24,000 BTU at 17 SEER2 on low-GWP R-454B refrigerant under AHRI reference 217009731.
Is a 2 Ton Heat Pump the Right Size?
Two tons produces 24,000 BTU per hour and typically covers 900 to 1,200 square feet in the Southeast. A heat pump carries the winter load with the same equipment, and with continuous modulation on both sides of the system this one can settle at roughly 0.9 tons of output on a mild morning and simply stay there.
That matched modulation is the whole argument for this configuration. When the compressor throttles to 50% but the blower can only choose between two fixed speeds, airflow and capacity drift out of alignment and the coil runs warmer or colder than intended. A constant CFM blower tracks the compressor continuously, which keeps supply air temperature steady and pulls more moisture out per hour of runtime. On a small, tightly built condo or townhouse where the sensible load is low and humidity is the real complaint, that difference is the one customers actually notice.
Ideal for: Condominiums, townhouses, two-bedroom homes, humid coastal climates, and any installation where the outdoor unit has to stay small and the indoor comfort has to stay precise.
Working to a tighter budget? The 2 Ton RD16AY24AJVCA with the two-stage RH2TY2417STANNJ air handler uses this same outdoor unit with a constant torque indoor blower.
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 | RH2VY2417STACNJ EcoNet Enabled Constant CFM 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 |
| Indoor Cabinet | 17.5 in. W x 21.69 in. D x 42.5 in. H, approximately 91 lb |
| System Electrical | Outdoor 15.0 A MCA / 25.0 A MOCP; Indoor 4.0 A MCA / 15.0 A MOCP before heater kit |
| AHRI Reference Number | 217009731 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
Worth flagging for anyone cross-shopping the Prestige version of this system: that package pairs its 2 ton condenser with a 36-size air handler, while this one uses the capacity-specific RH2VY2417STACNJ. At 91 pounds and a 1/3 HP motor it is the lightest and lowest-draw indoor unit in the RH2VY family, which matters on attic platforms and in buildings with limited panel capacity.
Heat Pump & Air Handler Features
RD16AY24AJVCA Side-Discharge Heat Pump
- 31.8 in. tall by 19.8 in. wide cabinet, approximately 128 lb
- PlusOne variable speed twin rotary compressor with inverter drive
- Continuous modulation from 45% to 100% of rated capacity
- Reaches 17 SEER2, the top rating in the Classic Plus series
- 15.0 A minimum circuit ampacity, 25.0 A maximum overcurrent protection
- Side discharge airflow removes 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
RH2VY2417STACNJ Air Handler
- Constant CFM motor with true continuously variable airflow
- Capacity-matched 2 ton coil rather than a larger shared family
- 1/3 HP motor across a 300 to 1300 RPM range
- 17.5 in. W x 21.69 in. D x 42.5 in. H, approximately 91 lb
- 4.0 A minimum circuit ampacity before heater kit
- EcoNet enabled with homeowner alerts through the EcoNet App
- DIP-switch-free commissioning over Bluetooth via the Rheem Contractor App
- 1.0 inch foil-faced insulation and rugged steel cabinet
- All-aluminum coil with internally grooved tubing and factory TXV
- 4-way convertible with under 2% leakage at 1-inch H2O per ASHRAE 193
Specifications & Manuals
Product documentation includes heat pump and air handler technical specifications, installation instructions, and submittal data to assist with equipment selection, permitting, installation, and service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that both halves are variable speed?
The compressor modulates its output continuously and the blower modulates its airflow continuously, so the two stay proportional at any load. Systems that pair a modulating compressor with a two-speed blower lose that alignment at intermediate outputs, which shows up as less consistent supply air temperature.
Why does this use a 24-size air handler when the Prestige 2 ton uses a 36?
Rheem certifies different matches for different outdoor units. This pairing uses the RH2VY2417STACNJ, sized specifically for 2 ton airflow, which makes it lighter at 91 pounds and lower-draw at 4 A than the 36-size unit used in the Prestige 2 ton package.
How much electrical service does the whole system need?
The outdoor unit requires 15.0 A minimum circuit ampacity with 25.0 A maximum overcurrent protection. The indoor unit needs just 4.0 A before any electric heater kit is added. That is a modest total for a 2 ton system and often avoids a panel upgrade on older properties.
Is an EcoNet thermostat required to get the benefit here?
It is where this configuration pays off most. With an EcoNet Smart Thermostat the air handler auto-adjusts from low capacity up to 100% to match the outdoor unit. With a conventional 24V two-stage thermostat the blower operates in two speeds instead, which gives up part of what the constant CFM motor is capable of.
Does the air handler fit a standard condo utility closet?
The 17.5-inch cabinet is the narrowest Rheem offers in this family, which makes it the most likely of the group to fit existing condo and apartment closets. At 42.5 inches tall and 91 pounds it is also the easiest to maneuver through a tight doorway.
Can I read more about how SEER2 is measured?
SEER2 testing uses a higher external static pressure than the older SEER procedure, so ratings read lower than pre-2023 numbers even at equivalent performance. Our SEER2 information page explains the change and the regional minimums.
RH2VY Technical SpecificationsRH2VY Installation InstructionsRH2VY SubmittalRH2TY Technical SpecificationsRH2TY Installation InstructionsRheem Warranty Certificate
