Table of Contents
Ruud Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings - Ruud offers several air conditioner models from 13 (excluding the 10 SEER commercial units listed) all the way up to the Ruud 20 SEER model of an air conditioner. Furthermore, Ruud air conditioners come in various sizes for residential and light commercial applications. Additionally, features of selected Ruud air conditioners include:
Ruud Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings | Select Features
- Onboard diagnostics for easier air conditioner troubleshooting on select units
- Fault recall on selected air conditioner circuit boards
- A scroll compressor in selected air conditioners
- Humidity control when the air conditioner condenser is matched with a Prestige series air handler
Questions for The Salesman
Furthermore, here is a list of questions you may want to pose to the contractor or salesman who gives you the quote.
Top Model SEER Rating
- Ruud Warranties as Compared to Other Brands 85%
- Ruud Quality as Compared to Other Brands 89%
- Consumer Opinion based on Field Experience 78%
- Ruud Efficiency Compared to Other Brands 90%
- Overall Ruud Opinion from a Technical Perspective 87%
- Is the thermostat proprietary? In other words, with the communicating system (EcoNet™) where the Ruud condenser communicates with the Ruud air handler, do I have to have a Ruud thermostat to make the system work, or can I use an off the shelf thermostat from any hardware store? You are talking about serial communication that requires only two wires. Essentially network wires or twisted pair shielded wire. So if something happens to the thermostat, you have to purchase an expensive replacement from Ruud. So the thermostat goes wrong on a Friday, and you can’t get a replacement until Monday?
- Do they offer an extended warranty that covers labor and parts? Furthermore, most standard warranties only cover parts, and a service call can easily cost you several hundred dollars, especially with all these electronics manufacturers are putting in systems these days.
Ruud Air Conditioner Model Comparison Guide
| Ruud Air Conditioner Model Comparison Guide | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Efficiency | Energy Star Rated | Operation |
| UA20 ULTRA® SERIES | 20 SEER | √ | VARIABLE SPEED MODULATING |
| RA17 ACHIEVER SERIES | 17 SEER | √ | Two-Stage |
| UA17 ACHIEVER PLUS® SERIES | 17 SEER | √ | Two-Stage |
| RA16 ACHIEVER SERIES | 16 SEER | √ | Single-Stage |
| RA14 ACHIEVER SERIES | 16 SEER | √ | Single-Stage |
| RA14**W ACHIEVER SERIES | 16 SEER | √ | Single-Stage |
| RA13 ACHIEVER SERIES | 15.5 SEER | √ | Single-Stage |
Ruud Air Handlers
Ruud air handlers come in a variety of sizes and configurations for residential and light commercial applications. Air handlers can be purchased horizontal flow, up-flow, and down-flow applications, and air handlers have R410A coils. Finally, it is always recommended you match the air handler with a Ruud heat pump condenser or air conditioner condenser for the best efficiency.
Ruud Air Handler Features
Various features of select Ruud air handlers include:
- 10-year limited parts warranty for select air handlers
- Ruud air handlers fitted with either multi-speed blower motors or variable-speed blower motors
- Ruud air handler has a durable construction that makes the air handlers long-lasting
- Lastly, humidity control for select Ruud air handlers
Another option available for the Ruud air handler line-up is the Ruud air handler with the hydronic coil for hot water heating. The typical set-up for this is a water heater or boiler connection with the water heater being the preferred method. Moreover, this feature complements the Ruud water heater line-up includes a Ruud special water heater is necessary for this feature to work correctly and provide the home or business with domestic hot water.
Ruud Condensing Units
Ruud Condensing Units - Ruud condensing units are available for air conditioning and heat pump applications for residential and light commercial systems. They are also a sister company to Rheem, so the units are comparable but not the same. They offer condensers with R-410A with the efficiency ranging up to 20 SEER for their air conditioner line of condensing units; however, to achieve that rating, you need to match the condensing with the recommended air handler. If I’m going to buy a 20 SEER condenser, I want to make sure I am getting that efficiency, so make sure you hire a good contractor that specializes in Ruud systems so you can get the properly matched system.
Ruud Condenser Features
Features of selected Rudd condensing units include:
- All controls are accessible by opening a single panel making service and maintenance easy in select condensing units
- The louvered jacket which protects coils in Ruud condensing units
- Select condensing units to utilize two-stage scroll compressors which adds efficiency to the system because it makes it run based on demand
- Condensing units to have solid-state diagnostics for troubleshooting problems with the air conditioner or the heat pump whichever condenser you may have
- Lastly, select condensers use variable-speed condenser fan motors
Ruud Air Conditioner Warranties
Warranties are important for consumers. If you buy a product you want the manufacturer to back it up with a good warranty. The problem with HVAC warranties that many people don’t understand, is that HVAC warranties only cover parts. That means you will pay for labor if something goes wrong with your HVAC system. This can create an image problem from the consumer to the manufacturer. First, labor is not cheap, and two, the repair can end up costing hundreds of dollars (maybe more) to have a new system repaired in labor cost alone. For this reason, we recommend you purchase an extended part and labor warranty if available.
Finally, always read the warranty and understand everything in it before the purchase. We know you’d rather watch grass grow in the backyard, but this is important. Look for exclusions such as ownership transfer in case you sell the property. That can be a selling point for selling your property. Lastly, don’t forget to register the warranty soon after installation. Most manufacturers give you a limited time allowance to register, after installation. Furthermore, forgetting this can void the warranty altogether.
HVAC Buyer’s Guide for New Ruud Air Conditioners
Buying a new air conditioner is daunting to some people. You have to deal with contractors and go through a process. Many people do not understand the buying process and leave it up to the contractor, to hopefully, do the right thing. There are good contractors and there are bad contractors. The bad guys are looking for a quick buck while the good ones are looking to establish a life-long relationship with you. We’ve taken some of the pain out of buying a new HVAC system with our HVAC Consumer Buyer’s Guide. Furthermore, our guide will help you understand the process and get the finer points correct.
- We tell you how many minimum bids you need
- What key report you need from the contractor before considering the size of the new system.
- Lastly, little details the average consumer misses when buying a new HVAC system.
You can see the details here - HVAC Consumer Buyer’s Guide and it’s completely free of charge.
Air Conditioner Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment Factors
| Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Pricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of Warranty | ROI (Return On Investment) |
| 19 SEER Plus | $$$$$ | 5 to 7 years depending on efficiency* |
| 15 to 18 SEER | $$$ | 7 to 10 years depending on efficiency* |
| 13 to 14 SEER | $ | Over 10 years* |
| *Many factors depend on ROI such as house insulation, personal usage preferences, duct work integrity, and other basic efficiency factors. SEER level efficiency is very important to ROI. The higher the SEER, the quicker the return. | ||
About Ruud
Ruud is the sister company of Rheem. Rheem Manufacturing Company was established in the 1920s by Richard and Donald Rheem when the two brothers bought a galvanizing plant in San Francisco, CA. In the ’40s and ’50s, Rheem expanded its core product line of water heaters to include air conditioning and heating equipment. Rheem has expanded and is now a global company with offices in Europe, Australia, Canada, Asia, and South America.
For more information on Ruud and its latest models and efficiency, ratings, visit the Ruud website.
Visit our other Ruud HVAC Reviews: Ruud Gas Furnace Reviews | Ruud Heat Pump Reviews | Ruud Package unit Reviews
Ruud Air Conditioner Reviews - Consumer Ratings
Video | Ruud Air Conditioner Reviews
I had 3 Ruud systems installed in a house I built in 1997, I had one coil fail on a 2.5 ton unit after about 15 years and a 2.5 ton compressor fail at 19 years. I live in SW Florida so we get hot and humid for 7-8 months annually. Remaining units were still going strong upon AC inspection by new buyer. I cleaned filters monthly in the summer and every other month during the cooler months and had systems serviced every other year.
I’m having a new 4 ton Ruud 16 seer unit installed by a reputable HVAC company today, hopefully it’ll perform as well and for as long as my previous 3.
third summer in on RUDD 2.5 ton AC unit. TXV valve is not working properly and needs replacement. I get there are a lot of reason why this valve can go bad, but still, I have my unit service and i change my filter as recommended. I’m doing my part.
So depending on when the part arrives 2 to 10 days, my unit may or may not work and I’ll be out $475.00.
Is there no quality any more?
Very important when they replace that to properly evacuate the refrigeration system.
I have been in my new home for about two years.
l have had service technicians out four times…for repairs…I am also under maintenance contract where they service unit twice a year..
Items gone bad :
July ’22…..replace control board
August ’23 replaced entire outside unit…
July ’24….starter board went bad
July ‘ 24…had new starter board replace…and they also had to replace compressor for it was also bad…
I would never recommend anyone buying a Ruud air conditioner unit…
Would never purchase another Ruud. Have to wear ear plugs to sleep at night. Sounds like a 747 landing on the roof
We have 3 RUUD units on our home, which was built in 2015. We have already had to have one unit serviced before the year was up. Then in 2017, same unit, had the coils replaced. Now not even a year later, same unit, the unit constantly runs and no cool air! DO NOT BUY RUDD! If you have a home built, go with another company.
I live in an apartment complex in Webster, Texas. They just installed a RUDD model RA1424AJINA and it runs constantly and struggles to keep my apt cool The outside temperature has been in the 100’s and it runs day and might to keep the temperature at 74. My apartment has 980 SF and is upstairs. I dont know if this is normal for this unit. I have lived here over 17 years and have never had this problem with the other units before the new one.
Complete system replacement a little more than two years ago (Apr 16)…Compressor and expansion valve failed. So far, it’s taken more than 10 days from Ruud to send replacement parts to the original installer. The ten year warranty and 17 SEER rating (high electric load with interim portables) aren’t worth much if the system can’t be repaired in a reasonable amount of time.
I purchased a new RUUD unit in 2013 from a local distributor and they installed it. Since the install, the FIRST YEAR, unit was completely out of Freon. Same thing the SECOND YEAR and THIRD YEAR when we fired up the A/C when it heated up. On all occasions, there was a leak on a copper joint to the compressor from vibration. They ended up having to cut and sauder the line which is for filling Freon during the winter months so it wasn’t really needed. The FOURTH YEAR, the blower motor went out and the FIFTH YEAR (2018, this year), Freon was out again and am being told we need new evaporator coils which is around 1,100.00 dollars. Both the distributor company and I have been in contact with RUUD and they will not warranty anything or help out with anything we have gone to them with. I have spent enough money fixing this piece of junk to buy another unit and it’s only been 5 years. I’m almost wondering if I have a case for small claims court case but I’m not the type of person to do something like that but I also work in customer service and RUUD definitely does not take care of you or back up their product. All they say is it was an install error which is complete bull. DO NOT BUY A RUUD!!
Purchased a heat pump and air conditioner from Ruud 4/22/14…model #s 15PJL WO31411316 and RHLL W101426137… heat pump so far fine but the air conditioner is being serviced for the fourth time because the coolent leaks out…Four times in four years! We replaced our old heater and air conditioner because they were over twenty years old but still working fine…We live in a very warm clime so we thought it would be prudent to get a new unit before we had trouble with the old…were told that it would be more efficient and energy saving…NOT!….so tired of the yearly breakdowns….Ruud is selling an inferior product and should have a recall and replacement policy in place….until they make this right we will warn others about buying their product…Very unhappy in Lake Havasu City AZ…
Install issue not unit issue
I had 2 Rudd units installed during a remodel project about 12+ years ago. Both units have performed extremely well. The larger unit is a 5 ton and the smaller unit is a 3 ton. I have used the same installation and repair folks in Jacksonville FL, Les’ Heating and Air, or the past 25 years and have all the confidence in the world in them. I would not hesitate to purchase another Rudd unit or any unit that my AC service company recommends. I really believe that the company that does the install is the key to any unit working properly.
I purchased a Rudd’s central unit for my home in February 2017. The heat seemed to be okay but summer rolled around and the unit is woefully bad when it comes to cooling my thermometers through my home register 8-10 degrees higher than the Rudd thermostat and you can feel it; sweat literally rolls down my face as I sit in the living room with the desired temperature set at 70 degrees and I called the people who put it in and they made a service call and told me that the problem was that I didn’t have new duct work installed. Just a few months prior to getting the new unit I had spent $800 repairing my duct work. I do understand that it is their business to sell duct work, etc. I will never buy a Rudd again!
I replaced my a/c unit in 1997 with a Ruud and it has been going strong until just 2 years ago. I had the fan replaced and it was up and running until yesterday, it finally bit the dust. I would like to replace with a newer model but not sure if the new ones can measure up and if they have the same quality as the older models.
Thanks for the review. Hopefully you will find a good quality system to replace your old one. Please see our Buyers Advice Category for help in dealing with that process.
I had a new Ruud A/C – Heat pump installed in May 2015. the A/C installer did not leave any paper work with my wife . I was not present when the install was done. this winter it failed to heat, and the A/C also quit. I to could not get warranty work. because it was not registered. and to mention the person that did my work is no longer doing A/C work since he went out off business. another A/C contractor came by to look at it and stated that I should had never bought a Rudd that here products suck. its cost me more money to try to repair this unit. so far compressor problems and evaporator coil,control board. etc. I don’t recommend this product. should had stuck with Carrier A/C.
Your system comes with a standard 5 year warranty if it isn’t registered, 10 years if it is registered. So you should have a warranty until 202 if it was installed in 2015. Your A/C contractor should know that and worry about your needs more than what products “suck”. I have installed hundreds of Ruud systems and have had little to no issues. As far as compressor issues,that sounds like an installation issue, because Ruud only uses Copeland scroll compressors just Carrier as far as I know. I won’t talk bad about carrier, but I think you made the right decision on brand, just not the right decision on who installs and works on your system.
Last Spring 2016, I had a contractor install air conditioning in my 2 story house beach house. Fujitsu ductless was installed and works beautifully. Unfortunately, on the second floor I had central air conditioning installed and paid additional to upgrade to the Ruud brand. Big Mistake! The contractor had problems, and more problems with the equipment. The compressor had to be installed twice and the coil/air handler needed to be installed three times because of the equipment not working. In summary, the contractor wasn’t happy with all the time he spent and wasn’t paid for and the installation wasn’t finished until mid summer ruining my summer.
Great review of (what I believe to be) a really good product. I feel sorry for your experience above Daniel Smith but in this day and age one should always read the fine print.
I own 2 Ruuds. Both high efficiency. One installed in 2012. One installed in 2015. I’ve spent well over $1,000 dollars the past few years keeping these things running. Control Board, Evaporator Coil, Translator, etc..One still periodically stops cooling. I called customer service and they basically threw my installer under the bus. Not too friendly either. I understand that Ruud is the same as Rheem. I don’t ever plan on getting either again.
Had my Ruud central heat and air conditioner for 5 years. The dealer that installed it retired, or went out of business. Called another dealer out to service it, and was told my warranty was void because I didn’t register it within 60 days of purchase. Called Ruud, they said tough luck, you should have read the fine print. They will not stand by products and use trickery to scam you out of the 10 year parts warranty. Buyer beware!
Don’t believe that is Ruud’s fault as all manufacturers require registering a new product within a specific time frame of installation even manufacturers outside of HVAC. Many manufacturers make it easy to register with online registration that takes mere minutes.
Ruud is the worst! My 7 year old Ruud Achiever series package unit has failed twice a year for the past 4 years. It also grows mold inside the unit. Every part has been replaced & even replaced parts are being replaced. Don’t waste your money on Ruud or Rheem.
Had mine installed 7 years ago, it broke down. DO NOT BUY RUUD PRODUCTS. Even though the coil was defective, they said its passed the warranty. Gray Hawk (the one that sold it to me) wasnt much help. Bye bye 3000$