What is the SEER2 rating of the Rheem RP17AY36AJVC?

The Rheem RP17AY36AJVC is rated at up to 17.0 SEER2 and 11.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 247 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.0-17.0.

Is the Rheem RP17AY36AJVC good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 31,400 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 Rheem RP17AY36AJVC cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $942-$2,323 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,134 in Phoenix and $1,920 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 Rheem RP17AY36AJVC?

ENERGY STAR lists 247 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use RCFY3621STANM, RCFY3617STANM.

3-ton central heat pump · Achiever Plus

Rheem RP17AY36AJVC

Average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #150 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $991 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 17.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 49%
HSPF2: 9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 70%
EER2: 11.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 23%
Heat at 5°F: 31,400 BTU/h91% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 39%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 31,400 BTU/h at 5°F.
It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 70% of central heat pumps.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 247 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

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

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-454B

General
Brand	Rheem
Also sold as	Ruud
Outdoor unit model	RP17AY36AJVC
Series	Achiever Plus
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	Yes
On the market since	September 26, 2025
Last certified	September 16, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	17.0 (range 16.0-17.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	10.0-11.0
Cooling capacity	34,000-34,200 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.5
Capacity at 47°F	34,000-34,200 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	32,000-32,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	25,400-31,400 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder91% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with RCFY3621STANM at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups247 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. The 60 highest-rated of 247 are shown. 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.
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R951V1005A21UHU	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327728
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R951V1005A21M4U	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327727
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R97MV1005A21DHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327692
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R97MV0855A21DHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327691
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R962V0855A21M4S	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327685
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160378
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17DZS	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218160377
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17DZS	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218160376
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17DZN	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218160375
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17DZN	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218160374
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1005A21UHU	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160366
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1005A21UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160365
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1005A21UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160364
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1005A21DZS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160363
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1005A21DZN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160362
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1004A17UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218160361
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R801V1004A17UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218160360
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1004A17UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218160359
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R801V1004A17UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218160358
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V0755A21UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160357
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V0755A21UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160356
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V0755A21DZS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160355
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V0755A21DZN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160354
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V0754A17UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218160353
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R801V0754A17UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160352
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V0754A17UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218160351
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R801V0754A17UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218160350
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V0754A17DZS	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218160349
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R801V0754A17DZS	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218160348
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V0754A17DZN	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218160347
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R801V0754A17DZN	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218160346
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R951V0855A21M4S	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327725
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R951V0705A21UHU	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327724
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R951V0705A21M4U	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327723
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R921V0855A21M4S	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327706
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R98MV1005A21UPS	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218327698
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R98MV0855A21UPS	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327697
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V1005A21UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327676
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V1005A21UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327675
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V1005A21DZS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327674
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V1005A21DZN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327673
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V1004A17UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327672
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R802V1004A17UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327671
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V1004A17UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327670
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R802V1004A17UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327669
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0755A21UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327668
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0755A21UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327667
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0755A21DZS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327666
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0755A21DZN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327665
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327664
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327663
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	31,000	218327662
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327661
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17DZS	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218327660
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17DZS	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218327659
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17DZN	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218327658
RCFY3617STANM · cold climate	R802V0754A17DZN	17.0	10.5	9.5	31,000	218327657
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1005A21UHU	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327649
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1005A21UHS	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327648
RCFY3621STANM · cold climate	R801V1005A21UHN	17.0	11.0	9.5	30,800	218327647

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$942-$2,323

Phoenix, AZ$1,134/yr
Miami, FL$942/yr
Houston, TX$1,016/yr
Atlanta, GA$991/yr
Los Angeles, CA$956/yr
New York, NY$2,323/yr
Chicago, IL$1,877/yr
Denver, CO$1,553/yr
Seattle, WA$949/yr
Minneapolis, MN$1,920/yr

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

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the Rheem RP17AY36AJVC?: The Rheem RP17AY36AJVC is rated at up to 17.0 SEER2 and 11.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 247 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.0-17.0.
Is the Rheem RP17AY36AJVC good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 31,400 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 Rheem RP17AY36AJVC cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $942-$2,323 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,134 in Phoenix and $1,920 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 Rheem RP17AY36AJVC?: ENERGY STAR lists 247 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use RCFY3621STANM, RCFY3617STANM.
What refrigerant does the Rheem RP17AY36AJVC 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 $1,111/yrYou save $652/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

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.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Rheem RP17AY36AJVC

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $1,111
Current system, per year: $1,763
You save per year: $652
Payback: 19.9 years
Net after 10 years: -$6,479

Cooling $708Heating $403Electricity used: 6,946 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $241

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.

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TCL H36TDHXPC · cold climate17.0 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Trane 4TWV7X36A117.1 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Trane 5HCL5036A1 · cold climate17.0 SEER2 · 9.4 HSPF2
Trane 5TWR7036A1 · cold climate17.1 SEER2 · 9.4 HSPF2
1HVAC SC-2436-HP · cold climate17.0 SEER2 · 9.0 HSPF2

See all 302 3 ton central heat pumps, ranked

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