2 Ton Rheem 18 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Heat Pump System RD18AY24AJVCA, RH2TY2417STANNJ
This package puts Rheem's Endeavor Line Prestige inverter heat pump on a straightforward indoor match. The RD18AY24AJVCA outdoor unit brings full variable speed compressor operation and a 19.8-inch-wide cabinet only 36.6 inches tall, while the RH2TY2417STANNJ air handler provides two-stage constant torque airflow in a 17.5-inch chassis. The result is 24,000 BTU of heating and cooling rated 18 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2 on low-GWP R-454B refrigerant, certified under AHRI reference 217176041, at a noticeably lower cost than the constant CFM indoor pairing.
Is a 2 Ton Heat Pump the Right Size?
Two tons produces 24,000 BTU per hour and typically serves 900 to 1,200 square feet in the Southeast. As a heat pump it carries both the cooling and the heating load, and the inverter compressor modulates from 45% to 100% of capacity, so this system can run at roughly 0.9 tons on a mild morning and full output on a design day.
Where this configuration differs from the premium pairing is on the indoor side. The RH2TY blower steps between two fixed speeds rather than ramping continuously with the compressor. On a 2 ton system that difference is least noticeable of any size in the range, because the duct volumes are small and the airflow swing between stages is modest. For a condo or townhouse where budget matters more than the last increment of humidity control, this is the sensible pairing.
Ideal for: Two-bedroom homes, townhouses, condominiums, zero-lot-line construction, and side-yard installations where a top-discharge condenser will not clear the overhang.
Want fully matched variable speed airflow? The 2 Ton RD18AY24AJVCA with the EcoNet RH2VY3617STACNJ air handler pairs the same outdoor unit with a constant CFM 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 | RD18AY24AJVCA — 2 Ton Endeavor Line Prestige 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 | 18 SEER2 Cooling / 10 HSPF2 Heating |
| Outdoor Cabinet | 19.8 in. W x 40.4 in. D x 36.6 in. H, approximately 177 lb |
| Air Handler Cabinet Width | 17.5 inches |
| AHRI Reference Number | 217176041 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
One thing worth understanding before quoting: the RD18AY outdoor unit is EcoNet enabled and carries built-in Bluetooth for commissioning and diagnostics, while the RH2TY air handler is a conventional constant torque unit without EcoNet connectivity. You keep the outdoor modulation, the smart diagnostics on the condenser, and the certified efficiency rating; you do not get whole-system EcoNet monitoring from the indoor side.
Heat Pump & Air Handler Features
RD18AY24AJVCA Side-Discharge Heat Pump
- Shortest cabinet in the RD18AY range at 36.6 in. tall, 19.8 in. wide
- Inverter-driven variable speed twin rotary compressor
- Modulates continuously from 45% to 100% of rated capacity
- Side discharge airflow removes vertical clearance requirements
- Sound as low as 50 dBA at reduced speed with sound blanket
- Swept wing fan technology and brushless DC condenser motors
- EcoNet enabled with Bluetooth PlusOne Diagnostics
- 7mm condenser copper coil reduces refrigerant charge up to 15%
- Traditional refrigerant piping supported for replacement flexibility
- 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
What is the difference between the RH2TY and RH2VY air handlers?
The RH2TY uses a constant torque ECM motor with two-stage airflow; the RH2VY uses a constant CFM motor that ramps continuously and is EcoNet enabled. Both carry the same coil construction and cabinet quality. The RH2VY tracks the inverter compressor's modulation more closely, which is what the price difference buys.
Do I still get inverter operation with this indoor match?
Yes. The compressor modulation happens in the RD18AY outdoor unit and is unaffected by which air handler it is paired with. This combination is AHRI certified at 18 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2 under reference 217176041.
Can I add an EcoNet thermostat to this system later?
The RD18AY outdoor unit is EcoNet enabled, so it will communicate with an EcoNet Smart Thermostat. The RH2TY air handler is not EcoNet connected, so you would not get indoor-side monitoring or alerts from that half of the system. Review the RD18AY installation instructions for the supported control configurations.
How much space does side discharge actually save?
The practical gain is vertical. A top-discharge condenser needs unobstructed clearance above it, typically several feet. The RD18AY exhausts horizontally, so it can sit under a soffit, deck, or second-story overhang. It does need clear space in front of the discharge side, which the installation instructions specify.
What thermostat works best with the RH2TY on a heat pump?
A heat pump thermostat with an emergency heat setting and reversing valve output configured for Rheem is the baseline requirement. A two-stage capable model lets the air handler use both airflow speeds. Our thermostat selection covers the compatible options.
Is a 2 ton heat pump enough for heating in a cold snap?
The RD18AY is rated to operate in heating down to -22 degrees F, but output falls as the outdoor temperature drops. The field-installed electric heater kit in the air handler covers the gap below the balance point. Size that kit from the heating load, not from the cooling tonnage.
RD18AY Technical SpecificationsRD18AY Installation InstructionsRH2TY Technical SpecificationsRH2TY Installation InstructionsRheem Warranty Certificate
