5 Ton Rheem 18 SEER2 R454B Side Discharge Variable Speed Heat Pump System RD18AY60AJVCA, RH2VY6024STACNJ
Sixty thousand BTU of inverter-driven heating and cooling, and the outdoor cabinet is still only 19.8 inches wide. The RD18AY60AJVCA is the top of Rheem's Endeavor Line Prestige side-discharge range, paired here with the full-width 24.5-inch RH2VY6024STACNJ constant CFM air handler for an 18 SEER2, 10 HSPF2 system on low-GWP R-454B refrigerant, certified under AHRI reference 216613161. This is the configuration for a large home that needs serious capacity but has no room for a conventional 5 ton condenser pad.
Is a 5 Ton Heat Pump the Right Size?
Five tons is the largest single-phase residential capacity commonly installed, delivering 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, and light commercial spaces such as restaurants and conditioned office areas inside light industrial buildings.
It is also the size where the architecture of the installation deserves more scrutiny than the equipment. A single 5 ton system serving two floors will usually leave the upper floor warm no matter how much capacity you add, because the load distribution and stack effect differ by floor. If the system you are replacing never kept the second story comfortable, zoning or a second system will fix that where more tonnage will not. Where a 5 ton is genuinely correct, the inverter compressor's 45% to 100% range means it can behave like a 2.25 ton system during mild weather instead of hammering on and off.
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.
Replacing only the outdoor unit? The 5 Ton Rheem RD18AY60AJVCA side discharge heat pump condenser is available on its own for installations where the indoor equipment is already R-454B compatible.
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 | 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 | 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 | 216613161 |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz |
The RH2VY6024STACNJ is the widest cabinet in the RH2VY family at 24.5 inches, standing about 55.5 inches tall at roughly 159 pounds. That coil face area keeps velocity and pressure drop reasonable at 5 ton airflow, which matters on a system that will run long modulated cycles rather than short bursts. Plan filter area generously for the same reason.
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 in mild weather for long, quiet cycles
- Sound blanket, swept wing fan, and acoustically optimized tubing
- Brushless DC condenser motors for reliability and easier service
- 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
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 with a 300 to 1300 RPM range
- Maximum coil face area keeps pressure drop low at 5 ton airflow
- 7 A minimum circuit ampacity before heater kit
- EcoNet enabled with remote alerts and monitoring
- 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
- Under 2% cabinet air 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
Is the 5 ton outdoor unit any wider than the 4 ton?
No. Both the RD18AY48AJVCA and the RD18AY60AJVCA share a 19.8 inch width, 40.4 inch depth, and 58 inch height. The 5 ton is about ten pounds heavier at roughly 306 pounds operating and carries a slightly higher 63 dBA rating.
How low can this system modulate?
The inverter compressor operates from 45% to 100% of rated capacity, so a 5 ton unit can run at roughly 2.25 tons. That is the practical reason a variable speed 5 ton behaves so differently from a single-stage one in spring and fall.
Should a 3,000 square foot two-story home use one 5 ton system?
Often not. A single system across two floors typically leaves the upper level warm regardless of capacity. Zoning or two separate systems usually produces better comfort than adding tonnage. Our team can walk through the options at 813-885-7999.
What filter setup does a 5 ton variable speed system need?
Size the filter to the airflow, not the cabinet. At 5 ton nominal a single undersized return filter creates high pressure drop and audible noise, which undermines the quiet operation you paid for. Plan on large-area media or multiple returns sized from the submittal data.
Can I pair the RD18AY60AJVCA with a different indoor unit?
Rheem designed the RD18AY as a universal heat pump compatible with a broad range of R-454B indoor equipment. However, the certified 18 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2 ratings and AHRI 216613161 apply to this specific pairing, and substituting changes the rating and any rebate documentation that depends on it. Browse our air handler selection for alternatives.
Where can I read more about the 2025 refrigerant change?
R-454B equipment is not backward compatible with R-410A condensers or heat pumps, which affects how replacements have to be planned. Our SEER2 information page covers the efficiency side, and the RD18AY installation instructions above detail the A2L handling requirements.
RD18AY Technical SpecificationsRD18AY Installation InstructionsRH2VY Technical SpecificationsRH2VY Installation InstructionsRH2VY SubmittalRheem Warranty Certificate
