Daikin FFA18AVJU9 & RXV18AVJU9 — 1.5 Ton R-32 Vista Ceiling Cassette System
The FFA18AVJU9 Vista 2x2 cassette with the RXV18AVJU9 R-32 inverter condenser is the largest single zone cassette system in the range, rated 17,400 BTU/h cooling and 21,600 BTU/h heating at 18.2 SEER2, 11.5 EER2, and 8.5 HSPF2. The heating figure is what sets it apart: it produces more heat than any other Vista single zone system by a wide margin, which matters in a large room where the heat pump is the only heat source. The BYFQ60C3W2W white decoration panel is included; the BRC1NRV71 wired wall controller is required and sold separately.
Is a 1.5 Ton Ceiling Cassette the Right Size?
This is the top of the Vista single zone range, suited to spaces roughly 700 to 1,000 square feet or smaller rooms with heavy internal gain. Cooling modulates from 5,100 to 18,800 BTU/h; heating from 5,400 to 21,800 BTU/h. If your calculated load exceeds what this system delivers, the answer is not a larger cassette — there isn't one in this series — but either a second system or a multi zone condenser running two cassettes.
Efficiency does step down at this size. At 18.2 SEER2 and 8.5 HSPF2 it rates lower than the 19.5 to 19.8 SEER2 of the smaller systems, and outdoor sound rises to 55 dBA. That is the normal trade for capacity in a fixed chassis, and it is a reason not to oversize: a 1.25 ton system that actually matches the load will cost less to run than a 1.5 ton that cycles. Piping capability matches the 1.25 ton at 99 feet total and 66 feet vertical, on the same 1/2 inch gas line and 20 amp circuit.
Ideal for: Large open offices, restaurant dining rooms, retail floors, church halls and meeting rooms, gyms and studios, and large finished basements where a single recessed unit is preferred over multiple wall heads.
Load bigger than this? Two cassettes on a shared outdoor unit is usually the cleaner answer — see our multi zone mini split heat pump range. Load smaller? The 1.25 ton FFA15AVJU9 shares this cabinet and line set at higher efficiency. Check what incentives high-efficiency heat pumps currently qualify for in our HVAC rebate center.
Recommended room sizes are general guidelines only. Actual requirements depend on insulation, glazing, ceiling height, infiltration, internal heat gain, occupancy, and outdoor design temperature. Size the job with our mini split BTU sizing calculator, request a free load calculation, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Indoor Cassette | FFA18AVJU9 — Vista R-32 1.5 Ton 2x2 Ceiling Cassette |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Condenser | RXV18AVJU9 — R-32 1.5 Ton Inverter Heat Pump Condenser |
| Decoration Panel | BYFQ60C3W2W Fresh White Grille — Included |
| Controller | BRC1NRV71 Wired Wall Controller — Required, Sold Separately |
| Rated Capacity | 17,400 BTU/h Cooling — 21,600 BTU/h Heating |
| Efficiency | 18.2 SEER2 / 11.5 EER2 / 8.5 HSPF2 |
| Refrigerant | R-32, 2.45 lb Holding Charge, 0.22 oz Per Additional Foot |
| Line Set | 1/2" Gas, 1/4" Liquid — 99 ft Max Total, 66 ft Max Vertical |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz — 17.9 MCA, 20 A Max Overcurrent |
Cassette, condenser, and white panel ship together; add the BRC1NRV71 controller and a 1/4 x 1/2 copper and wire line set, the same size the 1.25 ton system uses. Interunit wiring is AWG 14 stranded and shielded; controller wiring is AWG 18 to 16 sheathed two-wire. Set the 113 lb condenser on a hurricane-rated pad and feed it through a weatherproof whip with pull-out disconnect.
Cassette & Condenser Features
FFA18AVJU9 Vista Ceiling Cassette
- Highest airflow in the Vista range at 508 / 431 / 314 CFM
- 44 / 40 / 32 dBA indoor sound pressure, with 32 dBA available on low
- Four-way ceiling discharge, field-configurable to three-way or two-way
- 1/2 inch gas and 1/4 inch liquid flare connections
- Built-in drain pump and float switch with dedicated service drain outlet
- Air filter cleaning indicator, worth setting to the 1,250 hour interval at this airflow
- AUTO, COOL, HEAT, DRY, and FAN modes with auto-restart
- Same 22-5/8 inch square body and 36 lb weight as the smaller cassettes
- Accepts optional fresh air intake kit, remote sensor, and schedule timer
- Supports centralized control for multi-unit commercial installations
RXV18AVJU9 Outdoor Condenser
- R-32 inverter condenser factory-matched to the FFA18AVJU9 cassette
- 17,400 BTU/h rated cooling, modulating from 5,100 to 18,800 BTU/h
- 21,600 BTU/h rated heating — the highest heating output in the Vista single zone range
- 18.2 SEER2, 11.5 EER2, and 8.5 HSPF2 non-ducted ratings
- 99 ft maximum total piping and 66 ft maximum vertical separation
- 29-1/2" H x 34-1/4" W x 12-5/8" D cabinet at 113 lb
- 17.9 MCA with 20 A maximum overcurrent protection
- Highest condenser airflow in the range at 2,327 CFM; 55 dBA sound pressure
- Cooling 50°F to 115°F, extending to −4°F with the optional wind baffle
- KEH064A41 drain pan heater and KPS063 series snow hoods available separately
Specifications & Manuals
Documentation includes matched system performance data, ceiling opening and suspension bolt dimensions, drain and refrigerant piping requirements, wiring specifications, field settings, and Daikin warranty terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 1.5 ton the largest FFA Vista cassette available?
Yes. The Vista single zone range tops out here at 17,400 BTU/h cooling and 21,600 BTU/h heating. If a room needs more, the options are two systems or a multi zone condenser feeding two cassettes — there is no larger single zone cassette in this series.
Why is the 1.5 ton less efficient than the smaller sizes?
Pushing more capacity through the same chassis costs efficiency. This system rates 18.2 SEER2 and 8.5 HSPF2 against 19.5 to 19.8 SEER2 on the smaller units. The practical takeaway is not to buy this size unless the load calls for it — an oversized 1.5 ton will cost more to run than a correctly sized 1.25 ton.
How much heat does it actually produce?
21,600 BTU/h rated at 47°F outdoor with a maximum of 21,800 BTU/h, drawing 2.15 kW. That is roughly a third more heating than the 1.25 ton system delivers, and it is the reason this size gets specified in large rooms where the heat pump is the sole heat source rather than a supplement.
Can this cool a server room through the winter?
Not as shipped. Standard cooling operation stops at 50°F outdoor, so on a cold day the system will not run in cooling. With Daikin's optional wind baffle fitted, the cooling range extends down to −4°F, which is what makes year-round equipment cooling workable. Specify the baffle at the time of order for any IT or equipment room application.
Is this suitable for cold-climate heating?
It heats down to 5°F outdoor, which covers most mixed climates, but it is not an extended-capacity hyper-heat product and output falls as temperatures drop. Where heating runs for long stretches near 5°F, add the KEH064A41 drain pan heater so defrost meltwater keeps draining, and plan a supplemental heat source if the design temperature is below 5°F.
What wire is needed between the indoor and outdoor units?
Daikin recommends AWG 14 stranded and shielded for the interunit run and the ground, with local code taking precedence. Controller wiring is separate: sheathed two-wire in AWG 18 to 16, up to 1,640 feet total. Keep controller wiring at least 2 inches away from the interunit and power wiring, and never clamp the two together — noise coupling causes intermittent faults that are miserable to chase later.
What torque do the flare connections take?
The 1/2 inch gas nut takes 36-1/2 to 44-1/2 lbf·ft and the 1/4 inch liquid nut takes 10-1/2 to 12-3/4 lbf·ft. Use a torque wrench and the flare nut supplied on the unit rather than a reused one. Over-tightening cracks the nut months later, which is a leak you pay for twice.
FFA18AVJU9 RXV18AVJU9 Submittal
