5 Ton Rheem 18 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Heat Pump System RD18AY60AJVCA, RH2TY6024STANNJ
The largest capacity in Rheem's side-discharge heat pump range, on the value indoor match. The RD18AY60AJVCA delivers 60,000 BTU of inverter-driven heating and cooling from a cabinet still only 19.8 inches wide, paired here with the full-width 24.5-inch RH2TY6024STANNJ two-stage air handler. Rated 18 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2 on low-GWP R-454B refrigerant, certified under AHRI reference 216980442. For a large home or light commercial space that needs 5 tons but has no room for a conventional condenser pad, this is the configuration that fits and the least expensive way to get there.
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 appears on large open-plan homes, two-story houses on one central system, restaurants, and conditioned office areas inside light industrial buildings.
Before committing to 5 tons, look hard at how the system is laid out rather than just the number. A single system serving two floors will usually leave the upper level warm no matter how much capacity you add, because the load distribution and stack effect differ by floor. Zoning or a second system solves that where more tonnage does not. Where 5 tons is genuinely correct, the inverter compressor modulates down to roughly 2.25 tons in mild weather, which is the single biggest comfort difference between this and a fixed-capacity unit of the same size.
Ideal for: Large open-plan homes, 2,400 to 3,000 square foot houses, restaurants and retail spaces, and 5 ton replacements on lots with no room for a wide condenser pad.
Want the constant CFM indoor unit? The 5 Ton RD18AY60AJVCA with the EcoNet RH2VY6024STACNJ air handler pairs this outdoor unit with continuously variable indoor airflow.
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 | RD18AY60AJVCA — 5 Ton Endeavor Line Prestige Series Side-Discharge Universal Heat Pump |
|---|---|
| Indoor Air Handler | RH2TY6024STANNJ Two-Stage Constant Torque Multiposition 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 | 18 SEER2 Cooling / 10 HSPF2 Heating |
| Outdoor Cabinet | 19.8 in. W x 40.4 in. D x 58.0 in. H, approximately 306 lb |
| Air Handler Cabinet Width | 24.5 inches |
| AHRI Reference Number | 216980442 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
The RH2TY6024STANNJ is the widest cabinet in the RH2TY family at 24.5 inches. That coil face area keeps velocity and pressure drop manageable at 5 ton airflow, which matters on a system designed to run long modulated cycles rather than short bursts. Plan filter area generously for the same reason: an undersized return will undo the sound and efficiency advantages of the inverter outdoor unit.
Heat Pump & Air Handler Features
RD18AY60AJVCA Side-Discharge Heat Pump
- Largest capacity in the RD18AY side-discharge range at 60,000 BTU
- 19.8 in. W x 40.4 in. D x 58.0 in. H, approximately 306 lb operating
- Inverter-driven variable speed twin rotary compressor, 45% to 100%
- Modulates to roughly 2.25 tons during mild weather
- 63 dBA rated, with sound as low as 50 dBA at reduced compressor speed
- Brushless DC condenser motors and swept wing fan technology
- EcoNet enabled with built-in Bluetooth and PlusOne Diagnostics
- 7mm condenser copper coil reduces refrigerant charge up to 15%
- Traditional refrigerant piping supported for replacement flexibility
- 10-year conditional parts warranty with registration, no AHRI match required
RH2TY6024STANNJ Air Handler
- 24.5-inch cabinet, the widest in the RH2TY family
- Maximum coil face area keeps pressure drop low at 5 ton airflow
- 3/4 HP constant torque ECM blower motor
- Two-stage airflow with multiple selectable speed taps
- Roughly 1,800 CFM at 5 ton nominal
- 1.0 inch foil-faced insulation across the cabinet
- Aluminum fins bonded to internally grooved aluminum tubing
- Factory thermal expansion valve matched to R-454B
- Accepts high-capacity field-installed electric heater kits
- Under 2% cabinet air leakage at 1-inch H2O per ASHRAE 193
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 does this system cost less than the RH2VY version at the same tonnage?
The outdoor unit is identical. The difference is the air handler: this pairing uses the constant torque two-stage RH2TY6024STANNJ rather than the constant CFM EcoNet RH2VY6024STACNJ. Both certify at 18 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2; the premium indoor unit buys continuously variable airflow and system-wide EcoNet monitoring.
Is the 5 ton outdoor unit louder than the smaller sizes?
Slightly. The RD18AY60AJVCA carries a 63 dBA rating compared with 61 for the 2 and 4 ton and 58 for the 3 ton. All four drop toward 50 dBA at reduced compressor speed, which is where an inverter unit spends the majority of its operating hours.
What does modulating down to 2.25 tons actually accomplish?
It lets a 5 ton system run continuously at low output on a 78-degree afternoon instead of cycling on and off at full capacity. Longer run times at lower output remove considerably more humidity per hour, which is the main comfort complaint fixed-capacity 5 ton systems generate.
Will a 24.5-inch air handler fit my existing closet?
Check the framed opening, door width, and supply plenum transition before ordering. The 24.5-inch RH2TY is the widest in the family. If the closet will not take it, the narrower RH2TY6021 variant exists on our straight-cool systems, though it is not the certified match for this heat pump pairing.
Is a three-phase version of this system available?
This package is 208-230V single phase. For three-phase requirements, our complete split systems and commercial equipment categories list the models configured for 3-phase service.
Does swapping the air handler void the AHRI rating?
The 18 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2 figures and AHRI reference 216980442 apply to this exact pairing. Substituting a different indoor unit changes the certified rating and any rebate paperwork that depends on it. Our air handler category lists the alternatives if you need a different match.
RD18AY Technical SpecificationsRD18AY Installation InstructionsRH2TY Technical SpecificationsRH2TY Installation InstructionsRheem Warranty Certificate
