Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mixed climates with occasional hard freezesStrengths
- Heating efficiency (HSPF2 10) beats 77% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
- Uses newer, lower-impact R-454B refrigerant
- Also sold under 4 other badges, so you can compare more quotes for the same unit
Good to know
- No notable drawbacks in the certified data.
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (16) and HSPF2 (10). Assumes the unit is correctly sized. How we calculate.
Heating capacity as it gets colder
A heat pump's output falls as outdoor temperature drops. This is the certified heat output of the Rheem RD18AY60AJVC at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 52,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 71% · at 5°F: 66%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $1,377 a year in Louisiana to $5,427 in Maine, driven by local electricity prices and how much heating or cooling the climate needs. Click a column to sort.
| State | Price | Heating | Cooling | Total / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $541 | $837 | $1,377 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $405 | $1,169 | $1,574 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $779 | $844 | $1,623 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1,492 | $166 | $1,659 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $916 | $744 | $1,660 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $1,127 | $567 | $1,694 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $632 | $1,076 | $1,708 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1,528 | $233 | $1,761 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $1,166 | $632 | $1,798 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $1,325 | $493 | $1,818 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $1,121 | $701 | $1,821 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $1,040 | $820 | $1,860 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $1,049 | $827 | $1,876 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $859 | $1,034 | $1,893 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1,517 | $389 | $1,907 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $1,078 | $849 | $1,927 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $1,245 | $722 | $1,967 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,685 | $304 | $1,989 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1,486 | $537 | $2,022 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,706 | $396 | $2,102 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,761 | $424 | $2,186 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,634 | $573 | $2,207 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1,588 | $631 | $2,218 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,671 | $553 | $2,224 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $2,164 | $234 | $2,399 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $2,060 | $391 | $2,451 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $2,316 | $195 | $2,511 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $2,042 | $470 | $2,513 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,907 | $608 | $2,515 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $2,336 | $228 | $2,563 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1,606 | $967 | $2,573 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $2,272 | $320 | $2,593 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $2,354 | $416 | $2,770 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $2,326 | $504 | $2,829 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $2,183 | $696 | $2,878 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $2,434 | $502 | $2,937 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $2,786 | $307 | $3,094 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $2,612 | $566 | $3,178 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2,912 | $378 | $3,290 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $2,658 | $720 | $3,378 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $2,494 | $929 | $3,423 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $3,235 | $518 | $3,753 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $3,311 | $448 | $3,759 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $3,719 | $349 | $4,068 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $142 | $3,987 | $4,128 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $3,720 | $550 | $4,269 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $3,782 | $605 | $4,387 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $4,146 | $449 | $4,595 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $4,206 | $594 | $4,801 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $5,294 | $96 | $5,389 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $5,009 | $417 | $5,427 |
Same equipment sold under other brands
These listings share the same certifying manufacturer (Rheem Sales Company, Inc.) and identical certified capacities and efficiency ratings, so they are almost certainly the same hardware with a different badge. If you get quotes for any of them, you are comparing installation price and warranty, not equipment. How rebadging works.
- Friedrich RD18AY60AJVC
- RUSSELL RD18AY60AJVC
- Ruud RD18AY60AJVC
- Sure RD18AY60AJVC
Similar-size alternatives
Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the Rheem RD18AY60AJVC at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruud UP19AY48AJVC | 45,500 | 18–19 | 10 | 92% | $1,827 (−$566) | Compare |
| Gree GUD60W2/NHE-D(U) | 53,000 | 16–19 | 10.5 | 100% | $2,156 (−$237) | Compare |
| Heil B5H3V48*K*AAA* | 46,500 | 20–23 | 9.5 | 76% | $1,963 (−$429) | Compare |
| Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA* | 46,500 | 19.5–23 | 9.5 | 72% | $2,113 (−$280) | Compare |
| Carrier 27VPA948A*030* | 49,500 | 15.2–19 | 10 | 75% | $2,249 (−$144) | Compare |
| Bosch BOVA-60MTB-M19E | 53,500 | 15.2–19 | 10 | 100% | $2,301 (−$91) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Rheem |
| Outdoor model | RD18AY60AJVC |
| Certified by | Rheem Sales Company, Inc. |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 52,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 4.5 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 16 – 18 |
| EER2 (best) | 11.7 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 10 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 60,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 42,500 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 39,500 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.1 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 60 |
| Latest certification | 2025-05 |
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), retrieved November 7, 2026. Capacities and HSPF2 are the highest values across certified pairings; confirm your exact system's AHRI reference number with your installer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Rheem RD18AY60AJVC cost to run per year?
At the U.S. average residential electricity price of 18.16¢/kWh and typical national heating and cooling hours, we estimate about $2,393 per year ($1,743 heating, $649 cooling). It ranges from about $1,377 in Louisiana to $5,427 in Maine.
Does the Rheem RD18AY60AJVC work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 39,500 BTU/h at 5°F, 66% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 2.1 at 5°F.
What size is the Rheem RD18AY60AJVC?
It is rated at 52,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 4.5 tons, and 60,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.
Is the Rheem RD18AY60AJVC the same as the Friedrich RD18AY60AJVC?
Very likely. Both are certified by Rheem Sales Company, Inc. with identical capacities and efficiency ratings in the ENERGY STAR database, which indicates the same equipment sold under different brands.