4 Ton Rheem 16 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Variable Speed Heat Pump System RD16AY48AJVCA, RH2VY4821STACNJ
Four tons of fully modulating capacity from an outdoor cabinet that stands just over three feet tall. The RD16AY48AJVCA carries 48,000 BTU in a 36.6-inch chassis at 221 pounds, and the constant CFM RH2VY4821STACNJ answers it with a 3/4 HP motor running a 300 to 1300 RPM range. Rated 16 SEER2 on low-GWP R-454B refrigerant under AHRI reference 217009733, with both halves EcoNet enabled and commissioned over Bluetooth.
Is a 4 Ton Heat Pump the Right Size?
Four tons covers roughly 2,000 to 2,400 square feet in a hot, humid climate, and is common on two-story homes served by a single system, larger open-plan houses, and single-phase light commercial suites. The inverter compressor modulates from 45% to 100%, so this unit can operate at about 1.8 tons during mild weather rather than short-cycling at full output.
This is the capacity where the constant CFM blower earns its price most clearly. A 4 ton system in a house that only needs 1.8 tons on a spring afternoon is the classic oversizing scenario, and the gap between a two-stage blower's high and low settings is a bigger absolute airflow swing here than at 2 or 3 tons. A motor that ramps continuously keeps supply temperature and coil conditions stable across that entire range, which is what turns a large system into a comfortable one rather than a loud one.
Ideal for: Two-story homes on a single system, 2,000 to 2,400 square foot open-plan houses, elevated platforms where weight matters, and light commercial spaces on single-phase service.
Comparing against the two-stage indoor unit? The 4 Ton RD16AY48AJVCA with the RH2TY4821STANNJ air handler uses this same outdoor unit with a constant torque 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 | RD16AY48AJVCA — 4 Ton Endeavor Line Classic Plus Series Side-Discharge Universal Heat Pump |
|---|---|
| Indoor Air Handler | RH2VY4821STACNJ EcoNet Enabled Constant CFM Air Handler |
| Application | Residential and Light Commercial Split Heat Pump System with Field-Installed Electric Backup Heat |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Nominal Capacity | 48,000 BTU / 4 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 36.6 in. H, approximately 221 lb |
| Indoor Cabinet | 21 in. W x 21.69 in. D x 50.5 in. H, approximately 128 lb |
| System Electrical | Outdoor 26.0 A MCA / 45.0 A MOCP; Indoor 7.0 A MCA / 15.0 A MOCP before heater kit |
| AHRI Reference Number | 217009733 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
The indoor cabinet steps to 21 inches at this capacity while the outdoor unit stays 19.8 inches wide. On retrofits the closet is almost always the binding constraint rather than the yard, so budget for widening the framed opening or fabricating a new supply plenum transition if the previous system used a 17.5-inch air handler.
Heat Pump & Air Handler Features
RD16AY48AJVCA Side-Discharge Heat Pump
- 48,000 BTU from a cabinet 36.6 in. tall and 19.8 in. wide
- Approximately 221 lb operating weight
- PlusOne variable speed twin rotary compressor with inverter drive
- Continuous modulation from 45% to 100% of rated capacity
- 26.0 A minimum circuit ampacity, 45.0 A maximum overcurrent protection
- 61 dBA rated, dropping toward 50 dBA at reduced compressor speed
- Sound blanket, swept wing fan, and optimized refrigerant tubing
- Brushless DC condenser motors for reliability and easier service
- EcoNet enabled with built-in Bluetooth and PlusOne Diagnostics
- 10-year conditional parts warranty with registration
RH2VY4821STACNJ Air Handler
- 21-inch cabinet, approximately 50.5 in. tall and 128 lb operating
- 3/4 HP constant CFM motor across a 300 to 1300 RPM range
- Continuously variable airflow tracking the compressor's modulation
- 7.0 A minimum circuit ampacity before heater kit
- EcoNet enabled with remote alerts and monitoring
- DIP-switch-free Bluetooth commissioning through the Contractor App
- 1.0 inch foil-faced insulation and rugged steel cabinet
- All-aluminum coil with internally grooved tubing
- Factory thermal expansion valve matched to R-454B
- 4-way convertible with under 2% leakage at 1-inch H2O per ASHRAE 193
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 does the constant CFM blower matter more at 4 tons?
The absolute airflow swing between a two-stage blower's settings is larger at higher capacities. A continuously ramping motor holds supply temperature and coil conditions steady across the compressor's full 45 to 100% range, which is a bigger practical difference on a 4 ton system than on a 2 ton one.
What is the combined electrical requirement?
The outdoor unit lists 26.0 A minimum circuit ampacity with 45.0 A maximum overcurrent protection, and the air handler 7.0 A before a heater kit is added. Adding electric backup heat will substantially increase the indoor circuit, so size the panel from nameplate data.
How tall is this compared to the Prestige 4 ton?
Considerably shorter. This outdoor unit is 36.6 inches tall at roughly 221 pounds; the Prestige RD18AY 4 ton stands 58 inches at roughly 296 pounds. Both share the same 19.8-inch width and 40.4-inch depth.
Does the air handler need its own disconnect?
The field-installed heater kits include circuit breakers meeting UL and cUL requirements for service disconnect. Whether an additional local disconnect is required depends on your jurisdiction and the installation configuration, so confirm with the authority having jurisdiction.
Will this system work in a small commercial space?
Four tons on 208-230V single phase suits offices, salons, and small retail. Commercial installations may add requirements for outside air, equipment access, and controls that residential work does not, so verify against local commercial code before quoting.
What return and filter capacity should I plan for?
Size the return and filter from the airflow, not the cabinet. A restrictive single return at 4 ton airflow raises external static pressure and generates noise, which works directly against the quiet, low-speed operation this system is designed to deliver. Airflow tables are in the RH2VY specifications above.
RH2VY Technical SpecificationsRH2VY Installation InstructionsRH2VY SubmittalRH2TY Technical SpecificationsRH2TY Installation InstructionsRheem Warranty Certificate
