3.5-ton central heat pump · VANTIX
Friedrich RD16AY48AJVC
Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #63 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,270 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 16.0 Cooling efficiency over a seasonBelow average · beats 26%
- HSPF2
- 8.5 Heating efficiency over a seasonBelow average · beats 38%
- EER2
- 9.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayBelow average · beats 4%
- Heat at 5°F
- 25,800 BTU/h55% of its 47°F outputBelow average · beats 39%
A good fit if…
- Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 25,800 BTU/h at 5°F.
- You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
- You want a choice of indoor units - 35 certified pairings.
Think twice if…
- Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for central heat pumps.
- You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Friedrich |
| Also sold as | Ruud, Sure, Rheem, RUSSELL |
| Outdoor unit model | RD16AY48AJVC |
| Series | VANTIX |
| Type | Central heat pump |
| Nominal size | 3.5 ton |
| CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power | Continuously variable |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Connected (smart) capable | Yes |
| On the market since | June 6, 2025 |
| Last certified | September 15, 2026 |
| Cooling | |
| SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 16.0 (range 16.0) |
| EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors | 9.0-10.0 |
| Cooling capacity | 40,000-43,000 BTU/h |
| Heating | |
| HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 8.1-8.5 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 40,000-43,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 29,200-30,400 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 22,000-25,800 BTU/h |
| COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater | 1.90-2.00 |
| ENERGY STAR cold climate | Yes |
Heating output as it gets colder
Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with TCFY4821STAAM at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:
Certified matchups
The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.
| Indoor unit | Furnace | SEER2 | EER2 | HSPF2 | Heat @5°F | AHRI ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | S972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719616 |
| TCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | S972V0855A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719615 |
| TCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | S972V0705A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719614 |
| TCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | R972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719613 |
| RCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | R972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719612 |
| RCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | R972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719611 |
| TCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | R972V0855A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719610 |
| RCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | R972V0855A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719609 |
| RCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | R972V0855A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719608 |
| TCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | R972V0705A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719607 |
| RCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | R972V0705A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719606 |
| RCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | R972V0705A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719605 |
| TCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | FR972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719604 |
| RCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | FR972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719603 |
| TCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | FR972V0855A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719602 |
| RCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | FR972V0855A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719601 |
| TCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | FR972V0705A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719600 |
| RCFY4821STAAM · cold climate | FR972V0705A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 22,000 | 218719599 |
| TCFY4824STANM · cold climate | S972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719538 |
| TCFY4824STANM · cold climate | S972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719537 |
| TCFY4821STANM · cold climate | S972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719536 |
| TCFY4821STANM · cold climate | S972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719535 |
| RCFY4824STANM · cold climate | R972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719534 |
| RCFY4824STANM · cold climate | R972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719533 |
| RCFY4821STANM · cold climate | R972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719532 |
| RCFY4821STANM · cold climate | R972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719531 |
| TCFY4824STANM · cold climate | FR972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719530 |
| TCFY4821STANM · cold climate | FR972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719529 |
| RCFY4824STANM · cold climate | FR972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719528 |
| RCFY4821STANM · cold climate | FR972V1005A21UPS | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 | 25,800 | 218719527 |
| SHMVY4821SEACA | - | 16.0 | 10.0 | 8.1 | 24,400 | 217495944 |
| SHMVY4821SEACA | - | 16.0 | 10.0 | 8.1 | 24,400 | 217495940 |
| FRHMVY4821SEACA | - | 16.0 | 10.0 | 8.1 | 24,400 | 217495936 |
| RHMVY4821SEACA | - | 16.0 | 10.0 | 8.1 | 24,400 | 217495932 |
| RHMVY4821SEACA | - | 16.0 | 10.0 | 8.1 | 24,400 | 217495928 |
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$1,428/yr
- Miami, FL$1,173/yr
- Houston, TX$1,279/yr
- Atlanta, GA$1,270/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$1,230/yr
- New York, NY$3,005/yr
- Chicago, IL$2,434/yr
- Denver, CO$2,019/yr
- Seattle, WA$1,237/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$2,497/yr
At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.
Questions
- What is the SEER2 rating of the Friedrich RD16AY48AJVC?
- The Friedrich RD16AY48AJVC is rated at up to 16.0 SEER2 and 9.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
- Is the Friedrich RD16AY48AJVC good for cold climates?
- Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 25,800 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
- How much does the Friedrich RD16AY48AJVC cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,173-$3,005 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,428 in Phoenix and $2,497 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
- Which indoor units work with the Friedrich RD16AY48AJVC?
- ENERGY STAR lists 35 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use TCFY4821STAAM, RCFY4821STAAM, TCFY4824STANM.
- What refrigerant does the Friedrich RD16AY48AJVC use?
- It uses R-454B.
Running cost and savings
Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.
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See all 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of September 15, 2026. How we use the data.