Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mild climates or homes with backup heatStrengths
- 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
- Only 60% of its heat output remains at 5°F; plan on backup heat in hard freezes
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (16) and HSPF2 (8.5). 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 Ruud RD16AY36AJVC at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 34,200 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 71% · at 5°F: 60%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $908 a year in Louisiana to $3,594 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¢ | $358 | $550 | $908 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $268 | $769 | $1,037 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $516 | $555 | $1,072 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $607 | $489 | $1,096 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $989 | $109 | $1,098 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $747 | $373 | $1,120 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $419 | $708 | $1,127 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1,013 | $153 | $1,166 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $773 | $415 | $1,188 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $878 | $324 | $1,202 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $743 | $461 | $1,204 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $689 | $539 | $1,228 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $695 | $544 | $1,239 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $569 | $680 | $1,250 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1,006 | $256 | $1,262 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $714 | $558 | $1,273 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $825 | $475 | $1,300 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,116 | $200 | $1,317 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $985 | $353 | $1,338 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,131 | $260 | $1,391 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,167 | $279 | $1,446 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,083 | $377 | $1,460 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1,052 | $415 | $1,467 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,107 | $364 | $1,471 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,435 | $154 | $1,589 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,366 | $257 | $1,622 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,354 | $309 | $1,663 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,535 | $128 | $1,663 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,264 | $400 | $1,664 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,548 | $150 | $1,698 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1,065 | $636 | $1,701 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,506 | $210 | $1,717 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,560 | $273 | $1,834 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,541 | $331 | $1,873 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,447 | $457 | $1,904 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,613 | $330 | $1,944 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,847 | $202 | $2,049 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,731 | $372 | $2,104 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1,930 | $249 | $2,179 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,761 | $473 | $2,235 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,653 | $611 | $2,264 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $2,144 | $341 | $2,485 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $2,194 | $295 | $2,489 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,465 | $229 | $2,694 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $94 | $2,622 | $2,716 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,465 | $361 | $2,827 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,506 | $398 | $2,904 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,748 | $295 | $3,043 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,788 | $391 | $3,179 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,508 | $63 | $3,571 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $3,320 | $275 | $3,594 |
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 RD16AY36AJVC
- Rheem RD16AY36AJVC
- RUSSELL RD16AY36AJVC
- Sure RD16AY36AJVC
Similar-size alternatives
Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the Ruud RD16AY36AJVC at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruud UP19AY36AJVC | 34,200 | 19–21 | 10 | 87% | $1,353 (−$229) | Compare |
| Payne 37MUHAQ30AA3 | 30,000 | 15.3–17.5 | 10.8 | 98% | $1,306 (−$276) | Compare |
| Midea MO1HE-H30B-2A | 30,000 | 15.2–17.5 | 10.8 | 98% | $1,309 (−$273) | Compare |
| Bryant 37MUHAQ36AA3 | 36,000 | 15.8–18 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,527 (−$55) | Compare |
| Daikin DH9VSA361CA* | 34,200 | 16.9–21 | 10 | 100% | $1,398 (−$184) | Compare |
| Panasonic CU-HM36BAHU | 36,000 | 15.6–17.4 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,533 (−$49) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Ruud |
| Outdoor model | RD16AY36AJVC |
| Certified by | Rheem Sales Company, Inc. |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 34,200 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 3 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 16 – 17 |
| EER2 (best) | 11 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 8.5 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 33,800 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 24,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 20,200 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.4 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 20 |
| Latest certification | 2026-09 |
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 Ruud RD16AY36AJVC 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 $1,582 per year ($1,155 heating, $427 cooling). It ranges from about $908 in Louisiana to $3,594 in Maine.
Does the Ruud RD16AY36AJVC work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 20,200 BTU/h at 5°F, 60% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 2.4 at 5°F.
What size is the Ruud RD16AY36AJVC?
It is rated at 34,200 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 3 tons, and 33,800 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.
Is the Ruud RD16AY36AJVC the same as the Friedrich RD16AY36AJVC?
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.