3 Ton Rheem 19 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Variable Speed Heat Pump System RD18AY36AJVCA, RH2VY3617STACNJ
This is the efficiency high point of Rheem's side-discharge heat pump lineup. The RD18AY36AJVCA paired with the RH2VY3617STACNJ air handler is the only combination in this group to reach the full 19 SEER2 rating, and at 58 dBA it is also the quietest outdoor unit of the four, certified under AHRI reference 216891862. Thirty-six thousand BTU of inverter-driven heating and cooling on R-454B refrigerant, in a cabinet that trades a few inches of width for nearly a foot less height than the 4 and 5 ton models.
Is a 3 Ton Heat Pump the Right Size?
Three tons produces 36,000 BTU per hour and is the most commonly installed residential capacity in the country, generally serving 1,500 to 1,800 square feet in a hot climate. As a heat pump it also has to carry the winter load, and in the Gulf Coast and lower Southeast a correctly sized 3 ton inverter unit will handle the overwhelming majority of heating hours without the electric strips engaging at all.
What makes this particular size worth seeking out is the certified efficiency. Where the 2, 4, and 5 ton pairings land at 18 SEER2, this combination is rated 19 SEER2 with 10 HSPF2. If you are comparing quotes or checking utility rebate thresholds, that single point can matter, and it comes without paying for capacity the house does not need.
Ideal for: Three-bedroom single-story homes, 1990s and 2000s tract construction, homes where the outdoor unit sits near a patio or bedroom wall, and any project chasing a utility rebate tied to a SEER2 threshold.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 4 Ton Rheem 18 SEER2 Side Discharge Heat Pump System RD18AY48AJVCA, RH2VY4821STACNJ, which moves to a 21-inch air handler cabinet.
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 | RH2VY3617STACNJ EcoNet Enabled Constant CFM 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 | 216891862 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
Note the cabinet geometry: the 3 ton RD18AY is the widest of the four at 22.8 inches but stands 46.4 inches tall, where the 4 and 5 ton units are narrower at 19.8 inches and climb to 58 inches. If the installation is height-constrained rather than width-constrained, this size is the easier fit even though it is nominally the larger footprint.
Heat Pump & Air Handler Features
RD18AY36AJVCA Side-Discharge Heat Pump
- Highest certified efficiency in this group at 19 SEER2 and 13 EER2
- Quietest outdoor unit of the four at a 58 dBA rating
- Inverter-driven variable speed twin rotary compressor
- 45% to 100% modulating capacity for precise temperature and humidity control
- 22.8 in. wide by 46.4 in. tall cabinet, the low-profile option above 2 tons
- Swept wing fan technology improves unit acoustics
- Brushless DC condenser motors enhance reliability
- EcoNet enabled with Bluetooth-based PlusOne Diagnostics
- ENERGY STAR certified with a 7mm condenser copper coil
- 10-year conditional parts warranty with registration
RH2VY3617STACNJ Air Handler
- Constant CFM motor tracks airflow to the outdoor unit's modulation
- Shared with the 2 ton package, simplifying contractor inventory
- 17.5-inch cabinet fits standard closets and attic platforms
- EcoNet sensor network provides system alerts through the EcoNet App
- Two-stage airflow with a conventional 24V two-stage thermostat
- 1.0 inch foil-faced insulation and rugged steel cabinet construction
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum coil with internally grooved tubing
- Factory TXV expansion device
- Field-installed heater kits with UL and cUL compliant breakers
- Integrated A2L sensor and mitigation board
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
Why is the 3 ton rated higher than the 4 and 5 ton models?
SEER2 is certified for each matched pair independently. At 3 tons the compressor, coil, and blower operate closest to their optimum, producing a 19 SEER2 result where the larger pairings certify at 18. The heating rating is 10 HSPF2 across all four.
Is this unit quieter than the other sizes?
Yes. The RD18AY36AJVCA carries a 58 dBA rating, compared with 61 for the 2 and 4 ton units and 63 for the 5 ton. Rheem also cites levels as low as 50 dBA at reduced compressor speed, which is where an inverter unit spends most of its runtime.
What does "universal heat pump" mean in the RD18AY name?
Rheem uses it to indicate broad install compatibility — the unit pairs with a wide range of R-454B indoor equipment and conventional controls rather than requiring a single proprietary matched system. That said, the certified 19 SEER2 rating here applies specifically to the RH2VY3617STACNJ pairing.
Is the 3 ton cabinet bigger or smaller than the 4 ton?
It depends on which dimension constrains you. The 3 ton is wider at 22.8 inches versus 19.8, but nearly a foot shorter at 46.4 inches versus 58. Under a window or low overhang the 3 ton is the easier fit; in a narrow side-yard run the taller units are.
Do both units need to be commissioned with the Rheem Contractor App?
The app is how you get DIP-switch-free setup and full diagnostics on both the RD18AY and the RH2VY over Bluetooth. Conventional commissioning is still possible, but the app is faster and gives access to the monitoring and troubleshooting data the hardware is collecting.
What else does Budget Heating stock in the Rheem heat pump range?
Our Rheem catalog covers heat pumps, condensers, air handlers, furnaces, and package units, and the complete split systems category lists every matched pairing we carry.
RD18AY Technical SpecificationsRD18AY Installation InstructionsRH2VY Technical SpecificationsRH2VY Installation InstructionsRH2VY SubmittalRheem Warranty Certificate
