3 Ton Rheem 19 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Heat Pump System RD18AY36AJVCA, RH2TY3617STANNJ
Nineteen SEER2 is the highest certified rating in Rheem's side-discharge heat pump range, and this pairing reaches it without the premium indoor unit. The RD18AY36AJVCA is also the quietest outdoor model of the group at a 58 dBA rating, matched here to the RH2TY3617STANNJ two-stage air handler in a 17.5-inch cabinet. Thirty-six thousand BTU of inverter-driven heating and cooling on R-454B refrigerant, 10 HSPF2, certified under AHRI reference 216980429.
Is a 3 Ton Heat Pump the Right Size?
Three tons delivers 36,000 BTU per hour and is the most commonly installed residential capacity in the country, generally covering 1,500 to 1,800 square feet in a hot climate. On a heat pump the same equipment carries the winter load, and in the lower Southeast a correctly sized 3 ton inverter unit handles most heating hours before the electric backup engages.
This size is the value sweet spot of the entire side-discharge lineup. It carries the highest efficiency rating available in the series, the lowest sound rating, and the least expensive indoor pairing, all in the capacity most homes actually need. If you are quoting a straight replacement on a typical three-bedroom home and the customer wants inverter performance without the top-tier price, this is the configuration to lead with.
Ideal for: Three-bedroom single-story homes, 1990s and 2000s tract construction, installations near a patio or bedroom wall where sound matters, and projects checking a utility rebate SEER2 threshold.
Want continuously variable indoor airflow? The 3 Ton RD18AY36AJVCA with the EcoNet RH2VY3617STACNJ air handler adds a constant CFM blower and whole-system EcoNet monitoring.
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 | RD18AY36AJVCA — 3 Ton Endeavor Line Prestige 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 | 19 SEER2 Cooling / 10 HSPF2 Heating |
| Outdoor Cabinet | 22.8 in. W x 42.3 in. D x 46.4 in. H, approximately 230 lb |
| Air Handler Cabinet Width | 17.5 inches |
| AHRI Reference Number | 216980429 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
The 3 ton RD18AY has a distinctive cabinet shape within the family. At 22.8 inches wide it is the broadest of the four, but at 46.4 inches it stands nearly a foot shorter than the 4 and 5 ton units. On a height-constrained site under a window or awning, that makes this the easier installation despite the larger nominal footprint.
Heat Pump & Air Handler Features
RD18AY36AJVCA Side-Discharge Heat Pump
- Highest certified efficiency in the side-discharge range at 19 SEER2
- Quietest outdoor unit of the four at a 58 dBA rating
- 13 EER2 and 10 HSPF2 across cooling and heating
- Inverter-driven variable speed twin rotary compressor, 45% to 100%
- 22.8 in. wide by 46.4 in. tall low-profile cabinet, roughly 230 lb
- Swept wing fan technology improves unit acoustics
- Brushless DC condenser motors for reliability and serviceability
- EcoNet enabled with Bluetooth PlusOne Diagnostics
- ENERGY STAR certified with a 7mm condenser copper coil
- 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
Does this reach 19 SEER2 with the standard air handler?
Yes. This exact pairing is AHRI certified at 19 SEER2 under reference 216980429. The efficiency rating comes primarily from the inverter compressor and coil design in the outdoor unit, which is identical across both indoor matches.
What is the practical downside of the two-stage air handler here?
The blower switches between two fixed speeds while the compressor varies continuously, so at intermediate compressor outputs the airflow is not perfectly matched. In practice that shows up as slightly less refined humidity control in shoulder seasons rather than any capacity or efficiency shortfall.
Why is the 3 ton unit quieter than the larger sizes?
Cabinet geometry and fan speed. The 58 dBA rating on the RD18AY36AJVCA reflects a wider, shorter cabinet and a larger effective coil face relative to airflow than the tall narrow 4 and 5 ton models, which rate 61 and 63 dBA respectively.
Will this air handler fit where my old 3 ton unit was?
The RH2TY3617STANNJ uses a 17.5-inch cabinet, the same width as most older Rheem and Ruud 3 ton air handlers, so plenum transitions typically adapt with minimal sheet metal work. Measure the closet opening and door swing before delivery.
Does the outdoor unit need a base pan heater in Florida?
The optional base pan heater prevents ice accumulation during extreme cold and is aimed at colder climates. In central and south Florida it is rarely specified; in north Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas it is worth discussing. Confirm the accessory part number in the RD18AY specifications.
Can I see the rest of the Rheem heat pump range?
Our Rheem catalog covers heat pumps, condensers, air handlers, furnaces, and package units, and complete split systems lists every matched indoor and outdoor pairing we stock.
RD18AY Technical SpecificationsRD18AY Installation InstructionsRH2TY Technical SpecificationsRH2TY Installation InstructionsRheem Warranty Certificate
