Ruud Air Conditioner Review

Your complete Ruud air conditioner buying guide, including top models, prices, SEER ratings, features, warranty info, and more. Get your free quote quickly & easily!

Thinking about a Ruud air conditioner? There are quite a few things to consider, so we’ve put together a guide that will give you the information you need to make an educated decision.

We walk through the strengths and weaknesses of the brand as well as special features offered by Ruud. We’ll compare different models and look at the warranty that comes with a Ruud air conditioner. By the end of the guide, you should feel more confident in your options.

Also Read: The Best Central Air Conditioners for Canadians

The Bottom Line

Ruud offers a strong warranty for their units, including a unit replacement warranty. They are solid units that are well-built and tested to last a long time. With a few innovations that protect the coil, expand the access area and add structural integrity to the unit, Ruud machines are designed to weather year after year.

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General Price Range for Ruud Air Conditioners

$3,500 – $7,500 (with installation)

The estimated final cost of your air condition unit is a blend of factors that influence the price including:

• Unit size and BTU cooling output
• Where you live (rural versus urban, HVAC competition in the area, licensing requirements in your city or town, etc.)
• Efficiency rating
• Installation complications
• Current deals or promotions
• Energy efficiency or other rebates

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Introduction to the Ruud Air Conditioner Series

Good – Achiever Series

With a SEER of at least 15.5, these affordable units are efficient and ENERGY STAR® certified. Whether single-stage or two-stage, Ruud has built these air conditioners to last.

Powder coating paint and rust-resistant screws give your unit durability, while various innovations included expanded space and a corner access panel make service calls and repairs easier. The compressor uses less moving parts, to minimize wear and tear and an optimized fan orifice make sure that air is able to circulate well.

Better – Achiever Plus®️ Series

The two-stage unit provides the ability to run at mid-capacity during normal weather and full capacity for extreme temperatures. It has a SEER of 17 and is ENERGY STAR certified, making it one of the better models that you can get for the price.

It is EcoNet™ enabled, meaning that when paired with a Smart Home System, you can save on energy and maintain a comfortable home temperature. Optimized space in the unit means that there is good airflow to circulate and enough space for a technician to work.

Best – Ultra®️ Series

The only premium model by Ruud has a 20.5 SEER, which is one of the top ratings on the market. It has EcoNet™ technology so that you are in complete control of your home environment and energy bill. Variable speed compressor lets you accurately and efficiently adjust the comfort level in your home without significant energy or temperature swings. Curved louvre panels protect the coil within and ensure that your unit is strong and durable.

Model Breakdown and Comparison

What are Warranty and Overall Grades? These grades are calculated using FurnacePrices.ca's own proprietary algorithm which weighs a range of criteria to generate an easy-to-compare score.

Warranty Grades take into account several warranty terms & exclusions found in the fine print to make it easier for ordinary homeowners to compare warranty coverage without having to tediously dig through dense warranty documents.

Overall Grades weigh general factors like efficiency and features, as well as the warranty grade. Note that a model with a low grade is not necessarily a bad choice (more affordable models will usually always score lower). The grades are meant more to make it easier to compare the relative strength of different models. A high end model will score better but also cost a lot more and not necessarily be the ideal option for everyone, just like a sports car will score higher than a minivan in many aspects but isn't necessarily the ideal choice for the average family (despite what your significant other may try to argue!)

Comparison of Ruud’s Top Models

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UA20

This Ruud model is ENERGY STAR certified with a SEER of 20.5, making it one of the more efficient air conditioning units that you can get. It is an EcoNet™ enabled unit, meaning that when paired with the Smart Home System, you can have accurate control over comfort and energy use.

UA20

SEER – 20.5
Air conditioner type – Variable-speed
ENERGY STAR rated? Yes
Tier – Premium

UA17

This two-stage air conditioning unit is ENERGY STAR certified and has a SEER of 17. The first stage operates at 67% and the second stage at 100% capacity for a scorching day. Repairs are also easier with expanded valve space.

UA17

SEER – 17
Air conditioner type – Two-stage
ENERGY STAR rated? Yes
Tier – Mid

RA17

This Ruud model has a 17 SEER and is ENERGY STAR certified, making it an efficient model for your home. The compressor is durable since it uses less moving parts, so there is less of a chance for something to get damaged.

RA17

SEER – 17
Air conditioner type – Two-stage
ENERGY STAR rated? Yes
Tier – Low

RA16

As a single-stage, ENERGY STAR certified model, the RA16 is a good option for a homeowner looking to be energy-efficient but not spend too much on an air conditioner. It is built to last with powder coated paint and rust-resistant screws and designed with fewer moving parts in the compressor.

RA16

SEER – 16
Air conditioner type – Single-stage
Energy Star rated? Yes
Tier – Low

RA14

This model is eco-friendly and budget-friendly, with a 16 SEER and a composite base pan to reduce noise and corrosion. It is ENERGY STAR certified and uses a single-stage compressor, which runs at full capacity to quickly and efficiently cool down your home.

RA14

SEER – 16
Air conditioner type – Single-stage
ENERGY STAR rated? Yes
Tier – Low

RA14**W

This single-stage air conditioner is ENERGY STAR certified, making it an environmentally-friendly choice. It has a 16 SEER and a composite base pan that works to reduce sound.

RA14**W

SEER – 16
Air conditioner type – Single-stage
ENERGY STAR rated? Yes
Tier – Low

RA13

The RA13 is a single-stage, ENERGY STAR certified air conditioner that will keep your home cool. It has a 15.5 SEER, so it runs efficiently. Airflow is ideal and sound is dampened with the optimized fan orifice and the base pan.

RA13

SEER – 15.5
Air conditioner type – Single-stage
ENERGY STAR rated? Yes
Tier – Low

Exclusive Ruud Features

1. EcoNet™ Enabled

   The Smart Home System gives you control over your home environment so that you can accurately set your temperature and save on energy bills.

2. PlusOne™ Triple Service Access

   Repairs are made simpler with this port that opens from the corner with two fasteners. The panels are removable and allow for coil cleaning and quick assembly.

3. Composite Base Pan

   Checking off a few features, the base pan reduces sound, eliminates corrosion and minimizes the number of fasteners needed. It also acts as a spot for the louvres to rest.

4. Curved Louver Panels

   These panels work to protect the coil underneath and give the cabinet structural integrity.

5. QR Code

   This code once scanned, can offer technical information that is handy for professionals to get an overview of your unit during a service call.

Important Warranty Information

Ruud offers two kinds of warranties. The first warranty is a 10-year warranty for parts, which is applicable for every air conditioner that Ruud makes. You may need to register for the warranty if you own a mid- or low-level model. The second warranty is a 10-year unit replacement, which is conditional upon registration.

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RUUD – ABOUT THE COMPANY

Edwin Ruud founded the company over 100 years ago, inventing the first automatic gas water heater. They provide HVAC solutions for commercial and residential places all over North America. As a trusted brand, Ruud is committed to making and providing reliable and durable equipment that a homeowner can have faith in. Ruud has an exhaustive list of HVAC products that make them able to be a one-stop shop for any residence.

Eager to learn more about Ruud air conditioners? Fill out an online quote request, and one of our representatives will be happy to provide you with a free, no obligation quote.