3 Ton Rheem 16 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Heat Pump System RD16AY36AJVCA, RH2TY3617STANNJ
Three tons of inverter-driven heating and cooling from an outdoor cabinet that stands 31.8 inches tall and weighs 146 pounds — roughly half the weight of a conventional 3 ton condenser. The RD16AY36AJVCA is also the quietest unit in the Classic Plus range at a 58 dBA rating, matched here to the RH2TY3617STANNJ two-stage air handler in a 17.5-inch cabinet. Thirty-six thousand BTU on low-GWP R-454B refrigerant at 16 SEER2, certified under AHRI reference 217349868.
Is a 3 Ton Heat Pump the Right Size?
Three tons produces 36,000 BTU per hour and covers roughly 1,500 to 1,800 square feet in a hot climate. It is the most-installed residential capacity in the country and the size most straight replacements land on. As a heat pump the same equipment handles winter, with the inverter compressor modulating to about 1.35 tons during mild weather instead of short-cycling.
This particular pairing is the one to reach for when the outdoor unit has to live somewhere awkward. At 31.8 inches tall it clears under most windows, sits below fence-line in many HOA setups, and is light enough at 146 pounds for a two-person set without equipment. Combined with the 58 dBA rating — the lowest in this group — it is the configuration that causes the fewest complaints when the condenser ends up near a patio, bedroom wall, or neighbor's property line.
Ideal for: Three-bedroom single-story homes, 1990s and 2000s tract construction, HOA communities with height or screening rules, and installations adjacent to patios or bedroom walls.
Want the highest rating available? The 3 Ton RD18AY36AJVCA Prestige Series system reaches 19 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2 using this 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 | RD16AY36AJVCA — 3 Ton Endeavor Line Classic Plus Series Side-Discharge Universal Heat Pump |
|---|---|
| Indoor Air Handler | RH2TY3617STANNJ Two-Stage Constant Torque Multiposition Air Handler |
| Application | Residential Split Heat Pump System with Field-Installed Electric Backup Heat |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Nominal Capacity | 36,000 BTU / 3 Tons |
| Rated Efficiency | 16 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 146 lb |
| Outdoor Electrical | 19.0 A minimum circuit ampacity, 35.0 A maximum overcurrent protection |
| Air Handler Cabinet Width | 17.5 inches |
| AHRI Reference Number | 217349868 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
The 3 ton RD16AY shares its exact cabinet dimensions with the 2 ton model — same 19.8 inch width, same 40.4 inch depth, same 31.8 inch height — and adds only 18 pounds. That makes the two interchangeable from a site-planning standpoint, which is useful when the load calculation is still pending but the pad location has to be committed.
Heat Pump & Air Handler Features
RD16AY36AJVCA Side-Discharge Heat Pump
- Quietest unit in the Classic Plus range at a 58 dBA rating
- 31.8 in. tall by 19.8 in. wide cabinet, approximately 146 lb
- PlusOne variable speed twin rotary compressor with inverter drive
- Continuous modulation from 45% to 100% of rated capacity
- 19.0 A minimum circuit ampacity, 35.0 A maximum overcurrent protection
- Swept wing fan technology for improved unit acoustics
- Brushless DC condenser motors for reliability and serviceability
- EcoNet enabled with Bluetooth PlusOne Diagnostics
- Optional base pan heater with built-in thermostat for cold climates
- 10-year conditional parts warranty with registration
RH2TY3617STANNJ Air Handler
- 1/2 HP constant torque ECM motor with two-stage airflow
- Largest coil Rheem builds into the narrow 17.5-inch cabinet
- Covers both 2.5 and 3 ton airflow requirements
- 1.0 inch foil-faced insulation on all cabinet panels
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum coil with internally grooved tubing
- Factory thermal expansion valve for R-454B operation
- 4-way convertible for upflow, downflow, and horizontal installs
- Field-installed auxiliary heater kits with integral circuit breakers
- Under 2% cabinet air leakage at 1-inch H2O per ASHRAE 193
- Integrated A2L sensor and mitigation board
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
Why is the 3 ton rated 16 SEER2 when the 2 ton is 17?
Each matched pair is certified independently. The 2 and 5 ton combinations in this series reach 17 SEER2 while the 3 and 4 ton certify at 16. All four use the same inverter compressor architecture, and all four exceed the federal minimum for the Southeast region.
Will this fit behind a standard HOA screen or fence?
At 31.8 inches tall it clears most 36-inch and 42-inch screening requirements with room to spare. Verify the discharge-side clearance requirement in the RD16AY installation instructions, since side-discharge units need unobstructed space in front of the fan rather than above it.
How heavy is this compared to a conventional 3 ton condenser?
Roughly 146 pounds operating weight. Conventional top-discharge 3 ton condensers commonly run 200 pounds or more. The reduction comes from the 7mm coil design and the compact cabinet, and it simplifies rooftop, balcony, and elevated-platform installations.
Is the air handler the same one used on 2.5 ton systems?
Yes. The RH2TY3617STANNJ serves both 2.5 and 3 ton applications on a 1/2 HP constant torque motor. That shared coverage is why it is the highest-volume indoor unit in the RH2TY family.
Does a quieter rating actually matter day to day?
Three decibels is roughly a halving of measured sound power, so the difference between 58 and 61 dBA is audible rather than theoretical. It matters most when the unit sits within about fifteen feet of a bedroom window or an outdoor living area.
Where can I compare this against other Rheem systems?
Our Rheem catalog covers the full equipment line, and complete split systems lists every matched indoor and outdoor combination we stock, including the higher-efficiency Prestige series units.
RD16AY Technical SpecificationsRD16AY Installation InstructionsRH2TY Technical SpecificationsRH2TY Installation InstructionsRheem Warranty Certificate
