Can a heat pump do both heating and cooling?
Yes. A heat pump can provide both heating and cooling by reversing the direction of refrigerant flow; in cooling mode it moves heat out of your home, and in heating mode it moves heat into your home. Many Rheem package units like the RRKA-A24J are designed to support year-round comfort.
How a heat pump switches between heating and cooling
A heat pump uses the same core refrigeration components in both modes; the system changes which coil acts as the evaporator and which acts as the condenser.
- A reversing valve changes refrigerant direction (heat vs. cool mode)
- The compressor pumps refrigerant to move heat
- The outdoor coil and indoor coil swap roles depending on mode
- The blower motor moves air across the coil to deliver conditioned air
- Controls and sensors manage staging, defrost (if equipped), and safety limits
What this means for a Rheem RRKA-A24J package unit
On a gas/electric package unit like the Rheem RRKA-A24J, “heating and cooling” can be provided in a couple of common ways depending on the exact configuration.
| Setup you may have | Cooling is provided by | Heating is provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump package unit | Heat pump refrigeration cycle | Heat pump refrigeration cycle (often with auxiliary heat) |
| Gas/electric package unit | Air conditioning refrigeration cycle | Gas furnace section (burners) |
If your RRKA-A24J is configured as gas/electric (common for this product type), the cooling side still uses a compressor and capacitors, while the heating side uses burners and flame sensing.
Parts that commonly affect heating vs. cooling performance
If you are troubleshooting “no heat” or “no cool,” these model-related parts are often involved:
- Cooling start issues: central air conditioner start capacitor 43-17075-04
- Cooling airflow issues: motor WG840465 (condenser fan motor)
- Heating ignition proving issues: furnace burner flame sensor (part number 62-23543-02)
- Overheat shutdowns: limit switch (part number 47-23610-03)
Why it matters
Knowing whether your system is a true heat pump or a gas/electric package setup helps you troubleshoot faster. “No heat” on a heat pump often points to refrigerant-cycle or defrost controls; “no heat” on gas/electric often points to ignition, flame sensing, or limit safety circuits.
For replacement parts for RRKA-A24J, use the parts list for this model or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
How many tons of cooling is 24000 BTU?
24,000 BTU per hour of cooling equals 2 tons (because 1 ton of air conditioning capacity is 12,000 BTU per hour). For a Rheem RRKA-A24J gas/electric package unit, “2-ton” is the common way you’ll see that cooling capacity described when matching parts and system sizing.
Quick conversion chart (BTU to tons)
| Cooling capacity (BTU/hr) | Cooling capacity (tons) |
|---|---|
| 12,000 | 1.0 |
| 18,000 | 1.5 |
| 24,000 | 2.0 |
| 30,000 | 2.5 |
| 36,000 | 3.0 |
Why this matters for your RRKA-A24J
Cooling “tons” helps you match the right components and avoid performance problems like short cycling, poor humidity control, or high energy use.
Common places this comes up:
- Comparing a unit’s nameplate rating to what’s listed on a quote or service ticket
- Selecting compatible electrical parts (capacitors, start components)
- Diagnosing cooling issues tied to the outdoor fan motor or compressor starting
Parts that are often involved in cooling-capacity related issues
If your 2-ton system struggles to start, trips breakers, or runs but does not cool well, these parts are commonly checked or replaced:
- Motor WG840465 (condenser fan motor)
- Central Air Conditioner Start Capacitor (part number 43-17075-04)
- Capacitor (part number 43-23204-03)
- Start Kit (part number SK-A1-1)
- Compressor (part number 55-23139-10S)
Helpful sizing note
“2 tons” is a capacity rating, not the physical weight of the unit. Actual comfort depends on airflow, duct condition, refrigerant charge, coil cleanliness, and thermostat setup.
Ordering the right part
We recommend matching parts by the exact model number RRKA-A24J and the part listing for your unit. You can order replacement parts from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
Is a hybrid HVAC worth it?
Yes; a hybrid HVAC (dual-fuel) system is worth it when your climate has long mild “shoulder seasons” and your utility rates favor running a heat pump part of the time, because it can lower heating costs and improve comfort. Your Rheem RRKA-A24J is a gas/electric package unit, so “hybrid” typically means changing system type, not adding a simple bolt-on kit.
When a hybrid system pays off
A hybrid setup uses a heat pump for efficient heating in mild weather and switches to gas heat when it is colder.
- You have many days in the 35°F to 55°F range
- Electricity is cost-effective versus gas (or you have time-of-use rates)
- You want steadier temperatures and fewer large swings
- Your current system is near end-of-life and replacement is already planned
- You expect to stay in the home long enough to recover higher install cost
When it usually is not worth it
- You have very low gas prices and long, very cold winters
- You need the lowest upfront cost
- Your existing package unit is in good shape and only needs a repair
Hybrid vs. package unit (RRKA-A24J): quick comparison
| Option | What it is | Typical upside | Typical tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid HVAC (dual-fuel) | Heat pump + gas furnace | Lower heating cost in mild weather | Higher install cost, more controls |
| Gas/electric package unit | All-in-one outdoor unit | Simple footprint, straightforward service access | Not the same dual-fuel operating strategy |
If you are considering hybrid because performance is poor
Before replacing the whole system, we often see these repair items restore heating or cooling:
- Weak airflow: check blower operation; a failing motor WG840465 can reduce airflow
- Heat shuts off quickly: overheating or airflow issues can trip a limit switch 470015
- Ignition short-cycling: cleaning the furnace burner flame sensor 62-23543-02 often helps
Why it matters
Hybrid systems save money only when climate and energy prices support heat-pump operation; otherwise, repairing the existing RRKA-A24J package unit is often the fastest, most cost-effective path.
You can order RRKA-A24J replacement parts from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
