Ruud UA17 Review

The EcoNet Enabled Achiever Plus UA17 air conditioner from Ruud is the second most advanced model the brand has available in Canada.

Ruud is a mid-range to premium brand, so you should expect to pay a little more for a Ruud air conditioner than you might for a similar model from an economy brand, for example.

The UA17 is a two-stage air conditioner with a SEER rating of 17, making it pretty much an ideal efficiency range for Canadian summers.

There are lots of things to love about this brand’s air conditioners, so let’s review the UA17 from Ruud to find out whether it might be the right cooling system for your home.

About the Ruud UA17

Average Price (with installation): $5,000 to $6,500+

Top Features

• SEER rating of 17
• Two-stage scroll compressor
• ENERGY STAR® certification means good efficiency and eligibility for more rebates
• Lots of features to increase longevity and durability
• Design elements that ensure faster installation
• Made to be easy-to-service, translating to cheaper maintenance
• Compatible with the EcoNet smart thermostat
• Can be controlled via the EcoNet mobile app
• Special design elements to control noise and reduce damage from the elements
• EcoNet enabled for advanced performance and monitoring

The Bottom Line

Ruud’s UA17 is a high-efficiency air conditioner with a two-stage compressor that can operate at either 67 percent or 100 percent capacity, depending on the temperature and your comfort levels. This dual-stage operation promises better energy efficiency, better humidity control, quieter performance, and better temperature maintenance compared to a single-stage model.

Furthermore, the scroll compressor also reduces noise because it has fewer moving parts, and this can also mean greater longevity, improved reliability, and less maintenance.

Something that makes this air conditioner special is the EcoNet sensor technology that monitors the system, provides maintenance reminders and alerts, allows you to contact a service professional with a simple click, helps you save energy and money, and allows you to monitor and adjust the system remotely from anywhere using the EcoNet app.

In Depth Review

Ruud UA17 Product Specifications

• Compressor: Two-stage
• SEER: Up to 17
• ENERGY STAR certified: Yes
• Decibel rating: As low as 72.3
• Tonnage: 2 to 5 tonnes
• Cooling capacity: 24,000 to 60,000 Btus
• Sub-models: UA1724AJ2CB, UA1736AJ2CB, UA1748AJ2CB, UA1760AJ2CB

Features Overview

One of the best things about the UA17 is that it has been specially designed for fast and easy maintenance, cleaning, and service.

For example, it is equipped with a QR code that can be scanned by technicians for instant access to important technical information.

The unit also boasts expanded valve space, a diagnostic service window, holders for caps and fasteners, external access to the gauge port, and long fan wires so a technician doesn’t have to disconnect the fan to remove the top.

Furthermore, the unit requires fewer fasteners thanks to the composite base pan, and it has Ruud’s proprietary Triple Service Access, which allows technicians easy access to the unit from the corner. Finally, the single-row coil is easier to clean, and this translates to better performance over a longer period.

Other Key Features

• Noise reduction from the special composite base pan and the fan orifice
• Screws that resist rust
• High- and low-pressure switches that protect the compressor and other important components from potential damage
• Durable cabinet thanks to the powder coat paint
• A special composite base pan that eliminates corrosion and reduces sound
• Lighter weight unit thanks to the single-row condenser coil
• Curved louver panels for increased cabinet strength
• Additional coil protection from the curved louver panels

Warranty Information

Ruud offers a better warranty than some other brands. The UA17 is covered by a 10-year parts warranty, whether you register the unit or not. Beyond that, however, the brand also has a 10-year unit replacement warranty available to homeowners who register the unit after installation.

Registration is pretty straightforward and can be done online. You'll need things like your contact information, the contact information for the HVAC professional who installed the unit, the serial number, and the installation date.

Comparable Models by Ruud

Model Comparison by Price: Ruud UA17 versus Ruud UA20

Most of the air conditioners in Ruud’s line that are available in Canada fall into a similar price range as the UA17, but one exception is the EcoNet Enabled Ultra Series UA20. This is Ruud’s top-of-the-line model. It has a variable-speed compressor, meaning compared to the UA17, it’s even better at eliminating noise and humidity, reducing energy use, and making your entire home the perfect temperature. It has the same warranty as the UA17, but a higher 20.5 SEER rating.

Aside from the compressor improvement, the UA20 has all the same features and specifications as the UA17. However, the better compressor and higher SEER rating mean it falls into a higher price range, coming in between $5,000 and $7,500.

Even though this air conditioner has a better compressor and higher SEER rating, the additional cost isn't necessarily justified. Canadian summers are mild enough that at 20.5 SEER rating might be too high, and you could end up paying more for the air conditioner than you'll recoup in energy savings. Generally, the ideal SEER rating for our summers is 16 to 18.

Model Comparison by Features: Ruud UA17 versus Ruud RA13

The Achiever Series RA13 is Ruud’s most basic air conditioner. It only has a single-speed compressor, meaning the unit is either cooling your home at full speed or not at all. These compressors tend to be noisier, less efficient, less effective at maintaining even temperatures, and less capable of controlling humidity compared to two-stage and variable-speed models.

Nonetheless, the RA13 still has a high-efficiency SEER rating of 15.5, and it has ENERGY STAR certification. It doesn’t have any of the EcoNet technologies or the unit replacement warranty, but it does have all the same design features that ensure longevity, durability, and easy maintenance. This unit falls into a slightly lower price range than the UA17, so it will indeed be cheaper.

Model Comparison by Tier: Ruud UA17 versus Ruud Achiever RA16

The UA17 is the only model in Ruud’s mid-range Achiever Plus series at the moment, but the next closest model would be the Achiever series RA16. This is a single-stage air conditioner with a SEER rating of 16, ENERGY STAR certification, a scroll compressor, and all the same features for reliability, long-term performance, and simple servicing as the UA17.

However, the RA16 only comes with a 10-year warranty for parts, and it doesn’t have any of the EcoNet technologies for monitoring and controlling your system remotely.