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Ruud Gas Furnace Reviews - Ruud has nearly the same gas furnace product line-up as Rheem simply because Rheem is the parent company for Ruud. The furnaces are nearly the same in build and color, and the only real difference is the name of the unit and the model numbers. We hope the Ruud gas furnace reviews page helps you make a better decision for your purchase.
I am sure we could find design differences between them, but taking a cursory comparative look at the two we observe no differences in the design of their gas furnaces. I know both of Rheems and Ruud’s Web sites are slow, sometimes dysfunctional, and cumbersome to navigate even with a high-speed internet connection. Aside from that, the two companies produce quality products.
Ruud Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings - Features
Ruud was the builder’s grade version for Rheem for many years and in fact, may still serve the function. However, Ruud does offer higher-end gas furnaces in their gas furnace product line-up just as Rheem does. The bonus for the consumer is that parts are interchangeable, so if you have both a Rheem and a Ruud dealer in your area and one does not have the part, you could go to the other for the specific part.
That is if you need a part that is proprietary between the two gas furnaces.
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Ruud Top AFUE Rating (+/- fractional Percentage)
- 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%
Ruud Gas Furnace Features
Some of the features of Ruud gas furnaces are:
- Two-Stage gas furnaces in selected models offering you two firing rates- one for very cold days and one for mildly cold days
- Aluminized heat exchanger and stainless steel
- Modulating gas furnaces are available
- Inshot burners with direct spark ignition
- Variety of efficiency ranges from 80% AFUE to 96+% AFUE
- Limited 20-year warranties on the gas furnace heat exchangers on selected models and limited lifetime warranties on other gas furnace heat exchanger
- Diagnostic abilities for better gas furnace troubleshooting on selected furnaces. The diagnostic feature uses flash codes on a printed circuit board to communicate problems.
Ruud Gas Furnace Model Comparison Guide
| Ruud Gas Furnace Model Comparison Guide | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruud Gas Furnace Model | Efficiency | Gas Furnace Staging/Type | Gas Furnace Energy Star Rated | Pricing Model Group |
| R802T | 80% AFUE | 2-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
| R801T | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $ |
| U98V | 98% AFUE | Modulating | √ | Premium $$$$$ |
| R801C | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $ |
| U96V | 96% AFUE | 2-Stage | X | Premium $$$$ |
| U802V | 80% AFUE | 2-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
| R96T | 96% AFUE | 2-Stage | √ | Premium $$$$ |
| R96P | 96% AFUE | 2-Stage | X | Mid-Range $$$ |
| R95T | 95% AFUE | Single-Stage | √ | Premium $$$$ |
| R92T | 92% AFUE | Single-Stage | √ | Premium $$$$ |
| R802P | 80% AFUE | 2-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
| R802P | 80% AFUE | 2-Stage | X | Economy $$ |
| R801T | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $ |
| R801T | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $ |
| R95P | 95% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Mid-Range $$$ |
| R92P | 92% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Mid-Range $$$ |
| R801P | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $ |
| R801P | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $ |
| R801S | 80% AFUE | Single-Stage | X | Economy $ |
Energy Efficiency and Gas Furnace AFUE
Just because you spend extra money to buy a high AFUE gas furnace does not mean you will have true energy efficiency. There are many factors to getting true energy efficiency. Among these factors are:
- Proper installation of the gas furnace
- Ductwork Integrity
- Home Insulation including energy-efficient doors and windows
- Home humidity levels
For more information see our article on Gas Furnace Efficiency Factors
Warranties
The typical HVAC manufacturer’s warranty will only cover parts and not labor. If available, we recommend purchasing a labor warranty. Some manufacturers offer labor warranties for an additional cost. Purchase a labor warranty (if available) if you are purchasing premium models. Additionally, remember to register the warranty when the installation is complete. Finally, failure to register promptly may void any warranty.
Gas Furnace Pricing, Efficiency, and Return On Investment (ROI) Factors
| Pricing Versus Efficiency Return On Investment | ||
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Pricing Range for Initial Purchase and Subsequent Repairs outside of Warranty | ROI (Return On Investment) |
| 95% AFUE Plus | $$$$$ | 5 to 7 years depending on efficiency %* |
| 90% to 95% AFUE | $$$ | 7 to 10 years depending on efficiency %* |
| 80% to 90% | $ | Over 10 years* |
| *Many factors depend on ROI such as house insulation, personal usage preferences, ductwork integrity, and other essential efficiency factors. The furnace AFUE rating is a high factor in the return. | ||
Ruud Gas Furnace Reviews Buyers Guide
Whenever purchasing new HVAC equipment, it never hurts to take good advice from someone in the industry. We have an HVAC Consumer Buyer’s Guide, and it helps consumers purchasing new HVAC equipment. Here’s a short list of some helpful tips from our buyer’s guide:
- Always get a load calculation. Never use the rule of thumb when sizing.
- Get at least three bids. Hint, the lowest bid is not always the best.
- Quality of contractor over the brand
For more helpful tips, see the Buyers Guide page and category.
About | Ruud Gas Furnace Reviews
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 their latest models and efficiency, ratings, visit the Ruud website.
Visit our other Ruud HVAC Reviews: Ruud Air Conditioner Reviews | Ruud Heat Pump Reviews | Ruud Package unit Reviews
Ruud Gas Furnace Reviews | Consumer Ratings
i bought my rudd furnace 90+ acheiver , 17 years ago.. unfortunately, i just bought another one.. only one issue in 17 years, it was on the day it died.. great product
We bought a house a month ago and it has 2017 RUUD professional water-heater. The past owner just installed it last year. We’re just a month of living here and this heater just stopped working. Customer service told us what to do to try to fix it, but it didn’t work. So, they sent a plumber the following day, the plumber told rheem that the assembly blower needs to be replaced. So we waited another day for the part to arrive. Finally it arrived, we called the plumber and he replaced it, turn it on, and now the valve doesn’t work! We have no hot water for almost a week now. Still waiting for the valve to arrive. I hope that there will be no more other problems once the replacement valve gets installed. This is a piece of junk. Will never recommend to anyone.
I am assuming when you mentioned that you are waiting for a “valve” that you are referring to the gas valve. These gas valves are generic and can be purchased at most home improvement stores, hardware stores, and plumbing supply stores. If you have a Johnstone Supply in your area they will definitely have what you need. Just write down the model number or take a picture and give them the information so you get the correct replacement. If you never have worked with gas lines please call a professional.
I had a Ruud furnace installed in Dec. 2018. since the install I noticed that the burners kick on for 20-23 seconds and then the blower kicks on and blows cold air for 30, second before the heat comes out of the registers. Ruud Technical person told me this is normal and there are no adjustments for the blower delay (seems like the burners need to run longer before the blower kicks on.so now I have a new furnace the blows cold air before it blows warm air, HOW is that efficient?? DO NOT BUY RUUD!!
Purchased our A/C and furnace in April 2012. The condenser coil went out in 2014. It took three weeks for RUUD to ship our “warranty covered” part. First because they were still being built and couldn’t keep up with the demand, (that says something right there when you can’t keep up with making parts…..fix the problem!). secondly they refused to ship it until their truck filled up the rest of the way, then they made 3-5 other stops between Carolina and Missouri before delivering our part! The warranties part was installed at a cost of $700 (labor/freon/etc). It is now 1 year and 15 days later and the same thing happened again! RUUD took no blame, will not do anything to correct the defect, would not help expedite the shipping (unless we wanted to pay for it) and even blamed the coil breakage on my dog urinating on the unit! My dog squats, the break in the coil (on both units) is about two feet off the ground and on the inside of the unit. So you tell me how that could possibly be the problem?! Not to mention my dog doesn’t have opposable thumbs to take the cover off and pee on the coil!!! The customer service rep. Then blamed it on our neighbors shooting a BB gun. What? Really? I was told it warrantied and that Is that. They have no “lemon law” policy and it’s our word against theirs is what I was told in no uncertain terms.
So disappointed in a 3 year old unit, 1 replacement coil that cost use over $700 to replace (even under the warranty) not to mention being without air for 3 weeks while it is 95 degrees outside only to have the exact same thing happen one year later. Poor product, awful customer service. Bottom line….unless you enjoy heat, don’t mind not sending your kids to college because you had to spend over $700 each year to replace a part that was warrantied and enjoy being told your an idiot, don’t go with RUUD!
Reviewed by Admin Transfer September 05, 2011
Ruud
Reviewed by Tom December 04, 2009
Ruud
Have had our RUUD furnace and heat pump working together now for 6 years without one breakdown — routine maintenance has been performed yearly on both! – Great system great efficiency — overall savings GREAT. Would do it again!
Reviewed by Admin Transfer September 05, 2011
home owner
Reviewed by Glen McClanahan September 08, 2010
home owner
I had my furnace installed in 1987 model UDGA 125A-ER upflow system.It is still working today 9-7-10 my basement has been flooded twice sinces then it was totaly under water . I cleaned good both times and still works.I am looking to buy a new one now if I can cross referance the model number with what I have.
Reviewed by Admin Transfer September 05, 2011
Ruud 2 stage 95% w/ ecm motor
Reviewed by Ben LaLone May 20, 2011
Ruud 2 stage 95% w/ ecm motor
I have had my unit installed for almost 1 year now and it has worked great. I bought it while moving into a new house so I could not compare to the old one for efficiency but this is quite and works as advertised.