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Ruud / Contractor equipment reference

Ruud RD18AY
Heat Pump

Specifications, submittals and job-planning resources for the Endeavor® Line Ultra™ Series R-454B side-discharge heat pump.

  • 2–5 ton family
  • Inverter-driven
  • R-454B
Ruud RD18AY side-discharge outdoor heat pump, single-fan family image
Manufacturer family image. Cabinet height and fan arrangement vary by capacity; use the selected model’s technical documents.

Plan the equipment around the job

Side-discharge equipment. A complete-system decision.

For contractors comparing a replacement or a new ducted system, RD18AY combines a narrow outdoor cabinet with inverter-driven operation. Start with the load, the indoor equipment and the installation space, then choose the outdoor model and controls.

01 / Installation space

Check the actual footprint

Compare cabinet dimensions by capacity. Then review the clearance drawings for the proposed walls, discharge path, service access and nearby units. A cabinet that fits the pad may still need a different installation location.

02 / Indoor equipment

Confirm the R-454B application

Ruud’s universal-replacement guidance specifies an R-454B indoor coil with a TXV and suitable indoor airflow. “Universal” does not authorize reconnecting any existing coil or skipping the applicable A2L requirements.

03 / Control strategy

Choose controls before quoting

EcoNet communicating-system features depend on the complete equipment combination. Non-communicating installations use the prescribed wiring and configuration. Establish the control approach before choosing accessories or promising operating features.

The numbers contractors need

RD18AY model specifications

Compare manufacturer-listed models, or focus the chart on one full model number.

Showing four manufacturer-listed models. Confirm current availability with Mar-Hy.

Compare Ruud RD18AY outdoor-unit specifications
Product specificationRD18AY24AJVCA2-ton nominalRD18AY36AJVCA3-ton nominalRD18AY48AJVCA4-ton nominalRD18AY60AJVCA5-ton nominal
Manufacturer modelRD18AY24AJVCARD18AY36AJVCARD18AY48AJVCARD18AY60AJVCA
Nominal size2 tons · 24,000 Btu/h size class3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h size class4 tons · 48,000 Btu/h size class5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h size class
RefrigerantR-454BR-454BR-454BR-454B
Power supply208/230 V · 1 phase · 60 Hz208/230 V · 1 phase · 60 Hz208/230 V · 1 phase · 60 Hz208/230 V · 1 phase · 60 Hz
CompressorInverter-driven single rotaryInverter-driven twin rotaryInverter-driven twin rotaryInverter-driven twin rotary
Cabinet H × L × W (in.)36.6 × 40.4 × 19.846.4 × 42.3 × 22.858.0 × 40.4 × 19.858.0 × 40.4 × 19.8
Liquid valve connection O.D. (in.)3/83/83/83/8
Vapor valve connection O.D. (in.)3/43/47/87/8
Minimum circuit ampacity (A)19263843
Maximum overcurrent protection (A)20304045
Operating weight (lb)177230296306
Sound pressure, as low as (dBA)53505455
Sound power, as low as (dBA)61586163

Source: Ruud P22-843 Rev. 2, pages 3–7; dimensions also shown in X33-1676 Rev. 1, page 3. Technical-document dimensions are used here rather than general marketing footprint descriptions. Reference reviewed November 10, 2026.

  • Nominal tonnage and Btu/h identify a size class; they are not design-condition outputs or a load calculation.
  • H × L × W follows the technical drawing. Cabinet dimensions do not include required installation clearances.
  • Valve connection sizes do not establish the correct line-set size for every length or elevation.
  • Verify electrical values against the actual nameplate and installation instructions before designing the branch circuit.
  • Published sound values are “as low as,” with separate sound-pressure and sound-power quantities. Actual results depend on operation, installation and location.
  • This chart describes the manufacturer’s family. It is not a live inventory feed or a promise that every model is immediately available.

Efficiency belongs to the equipment combination

Use the outdoor model to start the selection. Use the complete listed indoor/outdoor combination to establish the system rating.

Published family maximums · qualifying matched systems

19 SEER2Cooling efficiency, up to
13 EER2Cooling efficiency, up to
10 HSPF2Heating efficiency, up to

These are family headline ratings, not a guarantee for every RD18AY model, indoor coil or installation. Check the complete model suffixes and the official AHRI record before putting a rating on a proposal. For design-temperature heating capacity, use the applicable manufacturer performance data.

Find RD18AY equipment combinations and AHRI references

Get a useful quote on the first conversation

Bring the complete job to Mar-Hy

  1. Equipment identity: outdoor model, full indoor coil/air-handler model, furnace model if applicable, and planned thermostat.
  2. Design requirement: load calculation, heating design temperature, required capacity and backup-heat approach.
  3. Installation: pad or support arrangement, cabinet and clearance dimensions, line-set length, size and elevation.
  4. Electrical and accessories: available supply, nameplate requirements, approved controls and any application-specific heater or accessory requirements.
  5. Documentation: required AHRI reference, submittal, warranty/registration information and the job’s delivery timing.

Selection questions

Can RD18AY replace an outdoor unit on an existing coil?

First identify the coil’s full model, refrigerant application, TXV, airflow and required controls. Ruud’s stated universal-replacement scope calls for an R-454B coil with a TXV. The family name does not clear an R-410A coil or establish a rated equipment combination.

Does every model have the same cabinet or compressor?

No. The model chart shows different cabinet dimensions and electrical requirements. The specification footnote identifies the 2-ton unit as single rotary; the larger sizes use twin rotary compressors. Use the full model number rather than assuming that one family image describes every cabinet.

What does the parts-warranty statement cover?

Ruud lists a 10-year conditional parts warranty with registration required, subject to the applicable warranty terms and eligibility. Do not treat that statement as blanket labor coverage or coverage for another manufacturer’s indoor equipment. Review the warranty card and registration requirements for the actual installation.

Where do installation and commissioning details belong?

Use the applicable installation instructions and manufacturer setup procedure for clearances, line sizing, controls, airflow, A2L requirements and startup. For additional planning context, read our RD18 installation-planning article or check the Mar-Hy contractor training schedule.

Find it at Mar-Hy

Price the equipment. Plan the whole job.

Use the existing shop listings below, or ask our team to confirm sourcing, current contractor pricing and availability. Mar-Hy serves HVAC contractors in Oregon and Southwest Washington from Milwaukie.