Updated March 21, 2024
Ruud Furnace Review
A complete Ruud furnace buying guide, updated with all the brand’s latest information, including top models, AFUE ratings, features, warranty info, and more. Get a free quote quickly & easily!
Ruud is a generally well-respected furnace brand, available to homeowners across North America. When it’s time to upgrade your home’s heating system, you know you want an affordable and high-quality furnace.
But what about cool features, new technologies, AFUE ratings, warranties, and all the other things you have to consider when buying a furnace?
If you need some help sorting out the details and comparing Ruud models, then this is the guide for you. This page provides an overview of Ruud’s products, warranty coverage, features, and prices, and it includes a model comparison so you can easily see what the different models have to offer and pick the right one for your home.
Also Read: The Best Furnaces for Canadians
Bottom Line
Ruud offers high-efficiency furnaces at reasonable prices. They have a huge selection of high-efficiency models to choose from, including plenty of ENERGY STAR models for homeowners who want rebates. They also have lots of two-stage and modulating furnaces that are great in colder climates, as well as single-stage systems that are more affordable and great for mild climates.
Ruud has some excellent design elements, and they keep incorporating new technologies into their designs, making for some advanced furnaces available at reasonable prices and with great warranty coverage.
For consumers looking to save on energy, Ruud delivers given that the majority of its product line is ENERGY STAR® certified.
Ruud Customer Reviews
The majority of homeowners are happy with their Ruud furnaces. The main things they like include the quiet operation, energy efficiency and great features. The furnaces also work as advertised, meaning they provide reliable heat and aren’t likely to leave you in the cold when you need them most!
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Ruud Furnace Models and Prices
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Ruud’s Entry-Level Furnaces
Average price for an entry-level furnace: $4,400 to $5,400
Models
Achiever Series R92T: Single-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 92%. This furnace is very efficient compared to a mid-efficiency furnace, but it no longer qualifies as high efficiency in places like Canada, where the winters are longer and colder, requiring more powerful furnaces to heat homes efficiently and effectively.
Achiever Series R921T: Single-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 92%. This furnace has a self-diagnostic control board that monitors performance. When something goes wrong, the control board records the error and communicates the problem using an LED display, making for faster and more accurate maintenance and repairs.
Achiever Series R921V: Single-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 92%. This furnace has a variable-speed blower motor that can make incremental adjustments to the airflow. Blower motors like this are quieter, more efficient, cost less to operate, and offer excellent humidity control in both summer and winter.
Achiever Series R95T: Single-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 95%. This furnace is equipped with a secondary heat exchanger, so it can produce more heat with the same amount of fuel compared to a non-condensing furnace. When the exhaust gasses leave the primary heat exchanger, they move to the secondary heat exchanger, where they're condensed to produce more energy.
Achiever Series R951T: Single-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 95%. This furnace has Ruud’s PlusOne Ignition System. This is a direct spark igniter that doesn’t rely on a pilot light, so it’s a more efficient, more reliable, and longer lasting ignition system.
Achiever Series R951V Ultra-Lox NOx: Single-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 95%. This is an ultra-low NOx furnace designed for environmentally conscious homeowners and people who live in places like California, where they have air quality regulations. This furnace has a special component that optimizes the fuel-to-oxygen ratio before combustion for cleaner burning.
Achiever Series R951V: Single-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 95%. This furnace is designed for fast and easy installation. It has DIP switches and Bluetooth technology, so it’s a breeze to set up the connections and configure the system. It’s also a multi-position furnace, so it’ll work in just about any house.
Ideal For
Single-stage furnaces like the ones in Ruud’s entry-level tier are best in two places: small homes and mild climates. These furnaces can only run at 100%, so they're not as powerful as two-stage and modulating furnaces. As such, they're not great at heating large spaces in very cold temperatures, but they're great for things like bungalows and west coast or southern climates.
Ruud’s Mid-Range Furnaces
Average price for a mid-range furnace: $4,900 to $5,900
Models
Achiever Plus R96T: Two-stage, multi-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This furnace has a removeable heat exchanger that makes it easier for an HVAC contractor to access the component for repairs and maintenance. Homeowners can also take advantage of this feature during basic annual maintenance if you clean your own heat exchanger.
Achiever Plus R962V: Two-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This is an EcoNet enabled furnace, and when you pair it with the EcoNet smart thermostat, you can get access to great features like Wi-Fi control over your heating and comfort settings, scheduling, service alerts, air filter monitoring, and more.
Ideal For
Two-stage furnaces like these work much more efficiently and effectively in medium to large homes, and they're powerful enough to contend with winters in colder climates. These are relatively affordable furnaces that have some great technological features, excellent designs, efficient operation, and reliable performance.
Ruud’s Top-Tier Furnaces
Average price for a top-tier furnace: $5,400 to $6,400
Models
Ultra Series U96V: Two-stage, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 96%. This furnace has a compact cabinet that’s only 34 inches tall, and that means it’s ideal for homes where extra space is at a premium. Thanks to the multi-position design, this furnace can be installed in closets, crawl spaces, basements, attics, utility rooms, and other out-of-the-way places.
Ultra Series U97V: Modulating, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 97%. This is a smart heating system that’s equipped with sensor technology and the EcoNet monitoring system. If anything goes wrong with the furnace, you'll get an update through the mobile app so that you can get immediate assistance and prevent damage to the furnace or your home.
Ultra Series U97MV: Modulating, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 97%. This furnace is equipped with Ruud’s PlusOne Water Management System. This is a special sensor that will shut the furnace down if the condensate drain gets blocked to prevent flooding and damage to the furnace. It will also store the fault code so an HVAC contractor can diagnose the problem.
Ultra Series U98MV: Modulating, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 98%. This furnace has a modulating burner that can operate between 40% and 100%, making incremental adjustments to the heat output. As the temperature outside fluctuates, the system will make minute changes to keep up with the ever-changing heating demands of your home, offering precise control over your home’s comfort settings.
Ultra Series U98V: Modulating, variable-speed furnace with an AFUE of 98%. This furnace boasts extremely quiet operation thanks to the modulating burner, variable-speed blower, fully insulated cabinet, and patented heat exchanger design. The heat exchanger has improved airflow, and this reduces operational noise by 20%.
Ideal For
Ruud’s top-tier furnaces are powerful and efficient, so they're great for the largest homes and the coldest winters. They're Ruud’s most expensive systems, but they have excellent technological innovations, fantastic warranty coverage, and great design elements. If you want a cost-saving furnace and live somewhere up north, like Canada, these units could be perfect.
Recently Discontinued Ruud Furnaces
- Achiever Plus Series R96P
- Achiever Series R95P
- Achiever Series R92P Furnace Stats
Ruud Exclusive Features
Feature 1 – PlusOne™ Diagnostics
Ruud’s PlusOne™ Diagnostics is an industry-first 7-segment LED display to provide homeowners with a more in-depth diagnostic reading of any issue that may arise with their Ruud furnace.
This can make diagnosing issues easier if you experience problems with the heating system, and might even help you troubleshoot possible solutions on your own.
When maintenance and repairs are required, the diagnostics system can make service faster and easier, and this can save you on labour costs.
Feature 2 – PlusOne™ Ignition System
To provide even greater reliability, the PlusOne™ Ignition System provides Ruud furnaces with the brand’s proprietary direct-spark ignition system. These igniters guarantee worry-free operation and an even more accessible level of serviceability.
Plus, you get peace of mind knowing that you'll always be able to rely on your Ruud furnace for heating comfort, even in the middle of those dreaded winter cold snaps.
Feature 3 – PlusOne™ Water Management System
Comprised of a patented blocked drain sensor, a self-priming drain trap, and pre-marked condensate hoses, Ruud’s PlusOne™ Water Management System is a unique diagnostic tool that will save you money, save you valuable time when your furnace needs servicing, and keep your home safe from water damage in the event that the condensate drain becomes clogged.
Feature 4 – EcoNet™
EcoNet™ is Ruud’s innovative integrated system for your home’s heating, cooling, and water heating equipment. Allows for remote Wi-Fi operation of HVAC systems to maximize efficiency and comfort for your home.
Not only does the EcoNet technology make managing your HVAC systems more convenient, but it can also save you money by allowing you to change settings on the fly to accommodate times when you need more or less heating and cooling output.
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Warranty
Ruud warranty terms and conditions vary based on the furnace tier and series, so the specific make and model will determine what kind of coverage you get with your investment. Here's a breakdown of the different warranty terms that are available with Ruud furnaces.
Ruud’s Entry-Level Warranty
Ruud’s most basic furnaces come with a standard warranty that includes a 10-year parts warranty and a lifetime heat exchanger warranty. This warranty coverage applies to:
- Achiever Series R921T
- Achiever Series R921V
- Achiever Series R92T
- Achiever Series R95T
- Achiever Series R951V
- Achiever Series R951T
- Achiever Series R951V Ultra-Lox NOx
- Achiever Plus R96T
Ruud’s Mid-Range Warranty
The brand’s mid-tier furnaces are backed by a 10-year parts warranty, lifetime heat exchanger warranty, and 10-year unit replacement warranty. This warranty coverage applies to:
- Achiever Plus R962V
- Ultra Series U96V
Ruud’s Top-Tier Warranty
Top-tier Ruud furnaces come with a 10-year parts warranty, lifetime heat exchanger warranty, and lifetime unit replacement warranty. This warranty coverage applies to:
- Ultra Series U98V
- Ultra Series U98MV
- Ultra Series U97MV
- Ultra Series U97V
To be eligible for the full warranty coverage, you have to register the furnace within 90 days of installation.
Be a happy homeowner when you purchase a Ruud gas furnace. Fill out our online form and ask for a free quote.
RUUD - ABOUT THE COMPANY
Founded by a Norwegian mechanical engineer named Edwin Ruud over a century ago, Ruud is one of North America’s largest manufacturers of quality heating and cooling systems. The brand is best known for its dedication to superior craftsmanship and continual innovation.
Ruud is a premium-tier brand that offers premium-tier products, with many of their furnaces acquiring ENERGY STAR certification. They offer comprehensive coverage on their whole selection of products and will certainly have an option that is perfect for your own home.
Eager to learn more about Ruud’s high-efficiency natural gas furnace line up? Fill out our online form, and one of our representatives will be happy to provide you with a free, no obligation quote.