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      3.5-ton central heat pump · VANTIX

      Friedrich RD18AY48AJVC

      Very good cooling and heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #15 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,102 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      19.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 85%
      HSPF2
      10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 84%
      EER2
      12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 64%
      Heat at 5°F
      38,000 BTU/h90% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 76%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 85% of central heat pumps.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 38,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 84% of central heat pumps.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications3.5 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandFriedrich
      Also sold asSure, RUSSELL, Rheem, Ruud
      Outdoor unit modelRD18AY48AJVC
      SeriesVANTIX
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableYes
      On the market sinceDecember 14, 2024
      Last certifiedSeptember 16, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better19.0 (range 16.0-19.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.0-12.0
      Cooling capacity40,500-43,500 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.1-10.0
      Capacity at 47°F40,500-48,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F35,600-40,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F30,800-38,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.00-2.20
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder90% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with SH2VY4824STACN at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups674 indoor units

      The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. The 60 highest-rated of 674 are shown. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

      Indoor unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      SH2VY4824STACN · cold climate-19.012.010.037,200216892274
      SH2VY4824STACN · cold climate-19.012.010.037,200216892071
      RH2VY4824STACN · cold climate-19.012.010.037,200216891866
      RH2VY4824STACN · cold climate-19.012.010.037,200216891867
      FRH2VY4824STACN · cold climate-19.012.010.037,200217166007
      SH2CY4824STANN · cold climate-19.012.09.537,600217165986
      SH2CY4824STANN · cold climate-19.012.09.537,600217165992
      RH2TY4824STANN · cold climate-19.012.09.537,600216980434
      RH2TY4824STANN · cold climate-19.012.09.537,600216980436
      FRH2TY4824STANN · cold climate-19.012.09.537,600216980439
      SHMVY6024SEACN · cold climate-19.012.08.532,800217165995
      SHMVY6024SEACN · cold climate-19.012.08.532,800217165998
      FRHMVY6024SEACN · cold climate-19.012.08.532,800217166001
      RHMVY6024SEACN · cold climate-19.012.08.532,800216980422
      RHMVY6024SEACN · cold climate-19.012.08.532,800216980423
      RHMVY6024SEACN · cold climate-19.012.08.532,800216980424
      TCFY4821STANM · cold climateS801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216892228
      TCFY4824STANM · cold climateS801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216892229
      TCFY4824STANM · cold climateS802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216892231
      TCFY4821STANM · cold climateS802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216892230
      SH2VY4821STACN · cold climate-18.011.710.038,000216892275
      TCFY4824STANM · cold climateS801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216892026
      TCFY4821STANM · cold climateS801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216892025
      TCFY4824STANM · cold climateS802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216892028
      TCFY4821STANM · cold climateS802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216892027
      SH2VY4821STACN · cold climate-18.011.710.038,000216892072
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateR801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891735
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891734
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891733
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateFR802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891740
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateFR801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891741
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateFR801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891738
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateR802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891739
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891742
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateR801V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891732
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateFR802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891731
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891736
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateR802V1005A21DZ18.011.710.037,400216891737
      RH2VY4821STACN · cold climate-18.011.710.038,000216891869
      RH2VY4821STACN · cold climate-18.011.710.038,000216891868
      FRH2VY4821STACN · cold climate-18.011.710.038,000217166008
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateFR97MV1005A21DH18.011.010.037,800216819789
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateFR801V0754A17UH18.011.010.037,600216819657
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR801V1505A24UH18.011.010.037,400216819662
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateFR801V0755A21UH18.011.010.037,600216819667
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateFR802V1005A21UH18.011.010.037,600216819669
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateR802V1005A21UH18.011.010.037,600216819679
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateR801V0755A21UH18.011.010.037,600216819682
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateR801V0755A21DZ18.011.010.037,600216820152
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateFR801V0755A21DZ18.011.010.037,600216820154
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR802V1505A24UH18.011.010.037,400216820158
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR802V1505A24UH18.011.010.037,400216820160
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateFR802V1505A24UH18.011.010.037,400216820163
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR801V0755A21UH18.011.010.037,600216820166
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateFR801V0755A21UH18.011.010.037,600216820169
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR802V1255A24UH18.011.010.037,400216820171
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateFR802V1255A24UH18.011.010.037,400216820174
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR802V1255A24UH18.011.010.037,400216820177
      RCFY4824STANM · cold climateR801V0755A21UH18.011.010.037,600216820180
      RCFY4821STANM · cold climateFR97MV1005A21DH18.011.010.037,800216819835
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,013-$2,613

      At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Friedrich RD18AY48AJVC?
      The Friedrich RD18AY48AJVC is rated at up to 19.0 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 674 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.0-19.0.
      Is the Friedrich RD18AY48AJVC good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 38,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.20, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Friedrich RD18AY48AJVC cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,013-$2,613 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,235 in Phoenix and $2,173 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 RD18AY48AJVC?
      ENERGY STAR lists 674 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use SH2VY4824STACN, RH2VY4824STACN, FRH2VY4824STACN.
      What refrigerant does the Friedrich RD18AY48AJVC 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.

      Heat pump $1,219/yrYou save $895/yrSee details ↓
      1. Where you live
      Adjust heating and cooling hours

      Filled in from your city's climate. Change them if you run the system much more or less than usual.

      2. The heat pump Friedrich RD18AY48AJVC
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,219
      Current system, per year
      $2,114
      You save per year
      $895
      Payback
      17.3 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$6,547

      Cooling $760Heating $459Electricity used: 7,617 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $403

      Estimates use the unit's rated SEER2 and HSPF2, full-load hours derived from NOAA 1991-2020 degree days, average residential electricity prices from the U.S. EIA (12 months to July 2026) and fuel prices from EIA (2025 for natural gas, week of 2026-10-05 for propane and heating oil). Very cold days that need backup heat are not modelled. Federal minimum for comparison: 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2.

      Similar 3.5 ton models

      See all 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of September 16, 2026. How we use the data.