5 Ton Rheem 17 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Variable Speed Heat Pump System RD16AY60AJVCA, RH2VY6024STACNJ
The top of the Classic Plus side-discharge range, on the fully modulating indoor unit. The RD16AY60AJVCA reaches 17 SEER2 — the highest rating in its series — and delivers 60,000 BTU from a cabinet 46.4 inches tall, a foot shorter and 50 pounds lighter than the Prestige 5 ton equivalent. Paired with the full-width 24.5-inch RH2VY6024STACNJ constant CFM air handler, certified under AHRI reference 217009734 on low-GWP R-454B refrigerant, with both halves EcoNet enabled.
Is a 5 Ton Heat Pump the Right Size?
Five tons is the largest single-phase residential capacity commonly installed, producing 60,000 BTU per hour and generally serving 2,400 to 3,000 square feet in a hot climate. It shows up on large open-plan homes, two-story houses running one central system, restaurants, and conditioned office areas inside light industrial buildings.
At this capacity, how the system behaves at part load matters more than its peak output, because a 5 ton system spends the overwhelming majority of the year nowhere near design conditions. This one modulates to roughly 2.25 tons and holds airflow proportional the whole way down, which is the difference between a large system that runs quietly in the background and one that announces every cycle. If the home you are replacing had a fixed-capacity 5 ton unit that made the house cold and clammy, this configuration is the direct answer to that complaint.
Ideal for: Large open-plan homes, 2,400 to 3,000 square foot houses, restaurants and retail spaces, and 5 ton replacements where a full-height Prestige cabinet will not fit the site.
Prefer the two-stage indoor unit? The 5 Ton RD16AY60AJVCA with the RH2TY6024STANNJ air handler pairs this 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 | RD16AY60AJVCA — 5 Ton Endeavor Line Classic Plus Series Side-Discharge Universal Heat Pump |
|---|---|
| Indoor Air Handler | RH2VY6024STACNJ 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 | 60,000 BTU / 5 Tons |
| Rated Efficiency | 17 SEER2 Cooling, up to 10.5 EER2 and 8.5 HSPF2 |
| Outdoor Cabinet | 22.8 in. W x 42.3 in. D x 46.4 in. H, approximately 254 lb |
| Indoor Cabinet | 24.5 in. W x 21.69 in. D x 55.5 in. H, approximately 159 lb |
| System Electrical | Outdoor 31.0 A MCA / 55.0 A MOCP; Indoor 7.0 A MCA / 15.0 A MOCP before heater kit |
| AHRI Reference Number | 217009734 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
This is the only size in the Classic Plus side-discharge range that departs from the 19.8-inch-wide cabinet. If the pad or side-yard clearance was measured against the 2, 3, or 4 ton models in this series, re-measure before ordering: the 5 ton needs three additional inches of width and nearly two more of depth, plus the discharge-side clearance specified in the installation instructions.
Heat Pump & Air Handler Features
RD16AY60AJVCA Side-Discharge Heat Pump
- Largest capacity in the Classic Plus side-discharge range at 60,000 BTU
- Reaches 17 SEER2, the top rating available in this series
- 22.8 in. W x 42.3 in. D x 46.4 in. H, approximately 254 lb operating
- A foot shorter and 50 lb lighter than the Prestige 5 ton cabinet
- PlusOne variable speed twin rotary compressor with inverter drive
- Modulates to roughly 2.25 tons during mild weather
- 31.0 A minimum circuit ampacity, 55.0 A maximum overcurrent protection
- 63 dBA rated, dropping toward 50 dBA at reduced compressor speed
- EcoNet enabled with built-in Bluetooth and PlusOne Diagnostics
- 10-year conditional parts warranty with registration
RH2VY6024STACNJ Air Handler
- 24.5-inch cabinet, the widest in the RH2VY family
- Approximately 55.5 in. tall, 21.69 in. deep, 159 lb operating
- 3/4 HP constant CFM motor across a 300 to 1300 RPM range
- Maximum coil face area keeps pressure drop low at 5 ton airflow
- 7.0 A minimum circuit ampacity before heater kit
- EcoNet enabled with remote alerts and monitoring
- DIP-switch-free Bluetooth commissioning via the Contractor App
- 1.0 inch foil-faced insulation across the cabinet
- Corrosion-resistant aluminum coil with internally grooved tubing
- Accepts high-capacity field-installed auxiliary heater kits
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
Is this the highest efficiency 5 ton heat pump in the series?
Within the Classic Plus range, yes. This pairing certifies at 17 SEER2, matching the 2 ton and exceeding the 16 SEER2 of the 3 and 4 ton combinations. The Prestige RD18AY 5 ton reaches 18 SEER2 with a taller cabinet and a 10 HSPF2 heating rating.
How much shorter is this than the Prestige 5 ton?
About twelve inches. This cabinet stands 46.4 inches at roughly 254 pounds; the RD18AY 5 ton is 58 inches at roughly 306 pounds. On sites with sightline restrictions, low overhangs, or elevated platforms, that difference often decides the job.
Why is this cabinet wider than the smaller units in the series?
Sixty thousand BTU needs more coil area than the 19.8-inch cabinet provides at a reasonable height. Rheem shifts to a 22.8-inch-wide by 42.3-inch-deep chassis at 5 tons, which keeps the overall height down rather than stretching the unit upward.
Does this qualify as a fully communicating system?
Both the outdoor unit and the air handler are EcoNet enabled with Bluetooth, so with an EcoNet Smart Thermostat you get coordinated staging, homeowner alerts, and app-based monitoring across the whole system. The equipment also operates with conventional 24V controls if the homeowner prefers.
What electrical load should the panel be able to carry?
The outdoor unit lists 31.0 A minimum circuit ampacity with 55.0 A maximum overcurrent protection; the air handler needs 7.0 A before backup heat. A high-capacity electric heater kit is typically the largest single addition, so evaluate total service capacity before selecting kW.
Should a 3,000 square foot two-story home use one system this size?
Frequently not. A single system across two floors usually leaves the upper level warm regardless of capacity, because load distribution and stack effect differ by floor. Zoning or a second system addresses that where additional tonnage will not. Our team can review the layout at 813-885-7999.
RH2VY Technical SpecificationsRH2VY Installation InstructionsRH2VY SubmittalRH2TY Technical SpecificationsRH2TY Installation InstructionsRheem Warranty Certificate
