3.5 Ton Rheem 14.3 SEER2 R-454B Short Apartment/Condo Air Conditioning System
The Rheem RA14AY42AJ1NA condenser and RB2TY4824STANMJB short air handler bring 3.5 tons (42,000 BTU) of AHRI-certified cooling at 14.3 SEER2 (AHRI #216010892) to homes that need more than a typical apartment system but still have a short mechanical space. The 24-1/2" wide, 35" tall RB2TY cabinet houses a 3/4 HP constant-torque ECM blower, while the taller 35" condenser uses a two-row 7mm coil, a 7/8" suction connection, and 142 oz of R-454B. It suits large condos, townhomes, and small single-family homes with low closets or attic platforms, and is offered with 7 kW or 10 kW electric heat.
Is a 3.5 Ton Short Air Handler System the Right Size?
A 3.5 ton system commonly serves homes in the neighborhood of 1,800 to 2,100 square feet. At this capacity the system is often moving beyond a typical apartment and into townhomes and smaller single-family houses, so a room-by-room load calculation is strongly recommended.
Bigger homes tend to have more windows, more exterior wall, and more people, and two-story layouts add stratification. Ductwork must be sized for roughly 1,400 CFM to keep noise down and deliver rated capacity. When the load is right at 3.5 tons, this low-profile pairing gives you the capacity of a full-size system with an indoor unit that still clears a short closet or ceiling space.
Ideal for: Large three-bedroom condos, townhomes, smaller single-family homes with low mechanical closets, horizontal attic or platform installations, and replacement of 3.5 ton low-boy air handlers.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 4 Ton Rheem RA14AY48AJ1NA & RB2TY4824STANMJB Short Apartment System for larger homes requiring additional cooling capacity.
Recommended applications are general guidelines only. Actual system requirements depend on insulation, windows, sun exposure, ceiling height, climate, occupancy, and ductwork. Request free sizing assistance, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Outdoor Condensing Unit | RA14AY42AJ1NA — 3.5 Ton Endeavor Line Classic Series R-454B Air Conditioner |
|---|---|
| Indoor Air Handler | RB2TY4824STANMJB Short/Low-Boy Multi-Position Air Handler (24-1/2" Cabinet) |
| Application | Central Air Conditioning with Electric Heat — 14.3 SEER2, AHRI #216010892 |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Compressor | Single-Stage Scroll Compressor |
| Blower Motor | 3/4 HP Constant Torque ECM, 5-Speed, Two-Stage Airflow |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz Condensing Unit |
| Air Handler Electrical | 208-240V, Single Phase, 60 Hz with Circuit Breaker |
The RA14AY42AJ1NA stands 35" tall on a 33-3/4" footprint, weighs 252 lb operating, and connects with a 7/8" suction and 3/8" liquid line, so an insulated 25 ft 7/8" x 3/8" copper line set is a natural match for short runs. Indoors, the RB2TY4824STANMJB07 7 kW air handler or the 10 kW version can be selected above. If height is not a constraint, compare the 3.5 ton Rheem RA14AY42AJ1NA system with a standard RH1AY air handler.
Condensing Unit & Air Handler Features
RA14AY42AJ1NA Outdoor Condensing Unit
- 3.5 ton (42,000 BTU) single-stage R-454B air conditioner
- Two-row 7mm copper coil with 19.5 sq ft outer face area
- 142 oz factory refrigerant charge
- 7/8" suction and 3/8" liquid valve connections
- 24" three-blade, 1/5 HP fan moving 3,431 CFM
- 20 MCA with 30 amp maximum HACR breaker or fuse
- 35" H x 33-3/4" W x 33-3/4" L cabinet
- Swept Wing fan design and composite base pan
- 73 dBA sound rating per AHRI 270 testing
- 10 years of conditional parts protection once registered
RB2TY4824STANMJB Short Air Handler
- 24-1/2" wide, 35" tall low-boy cabinet, 125 lb
- 3/4 HP constant-torque ECM blower with 5 speed taps
- Nominal 1,400 CFM for 3.5 ton cooling
- 22-7/8" x 19-3/4" return air opening
- Offered with 7 kW or 10 kW breaker-protected heat
- 4-way convertible: upflow, downflow, horizontal left/right
- Factory TXV and PlusOne A2L refrigerant detection
- Foil-faced 1" cabinet insulation helps dampen blower sound
- Less than 2% cabinet air leakage (ASHRAE 193)
- Slide-out blower and tab-lock blower housing
Specifications & Manuals
Product documentation includes RA14AY condenser specifications, installation instructions, and brochure, RB2TY air handler specifications and installation instructions, and Rheem warranty information to assist with equipment selection, installation, and service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 3.5 ton RA14AY42AJ1NA short system too large for a condo?
It can be. A 3.5 ton system generally fits around 1,800 to 2,100 square feet, which is larger than most condos. It is best for large condos, townhomes, and small houses; a load calculation will show whether 3 or 3.5 tons is right.
What is different about the 3.5 ton system compared with the 3 ton RA14AY36AJ1NA package?
Outdoors, the RA14AY42AJ1NA is 10" taller, uses a 7/8" suction valve, and carries 142 oz of R-454B versus 116 oz. Indoors, it moves to the wider 24-1/2" RB2TY4824STANMJB with a 3/4 HP ECM motor. The system is rated 14.3 SEER2 compared with 15.2 for the 3 ton.
Which line set size does the RA14AY42AJ1NA require?
The condenser has a 7/8" suction valve and 3/8" liquid valve. Rheem's line sizing table allows 3/4" or 7/8" suction and 3/8" or 1/2" liquid for 3.5 ton systems, depending on length and vertical rise; check the capacity multipliers in the RA14AY specifications.
Why are only 7 kW and 10 kW heat strips offered with this system?
Budget Heating offers the RB2TY4824STANMJB with 7 kW or 10 kW heat for this package. At 240V, those models list minimum circuit ampacities of 33.0 and 45.5 amps; confirm the panel and wiring can support your choice.
Does the RB2TY4824STANMJB work with any thermostat?
The PlusOne Refrigerant Detection System is compatible with any 24V thermostat application. Choose a thermostat with at least one cooling stage and one heat stage to control both the condenser and the electric heat strip.
Who typically chooses a 3.5 ton low-boy Rheem system?
Townhome owners, landlords with larger units, and contractors replacing systems in homes with short closets or limited attic height choose this package. Explore more Rheem systems or read about efficiency ratings in our SEER2 guide.
RA14AY Technical SpecificationsRA14AY Installation InstructionsRA14AY BrochureRB2TY Technical SpecificationsRB2TY Installation InstructionsRheem Warranty Certificate
