Deciding on the best brand for your new home air conditioner can be challenging. First, you must narrow down the brands that excel from the ones that are only good or mediocre. After that, you have to find details on different models and figure out which one fits your needs.
When it comes to popularity and reliability, few manufacturers can beat the appeal of a Ruud air conditioner. The company is known for offering high-efficiency air conditioners at an appealing price. Their units include an "Ultra Series," "Value Series," and an "Achiever Series," each with high SEER ratings and known for their durability.
Ruud is well-known for the astounding quality of their compressors. This is one of the most expensive parts of an air conditioner, and some companies are known to skimp a bit. Ruud uses scroll compressors, which are known for being highly reliable and durable. What makes a scroll compressor unique is that it engages a smaller amount of friction than a conventional compressor, making them quieter and more consistent than other brands.
Another area where Ruud excels is the pricing of their air conditioners. You might think that an air conditioner with an exceptional compressor would cost a bundle, but Ruud makes its products more affordable than the competition. While this isn't going to be the least expensive air conditioner on the market, it offers value in terms of features and price. For example, an 18 SEER Ruud Ultra Series costs only about $2,000, while a competitor with largely the same product prices its unit at nearly $2,700. That's a significant difference, no matter what your budget is.
When you pay for an air conditioner, you want to purchase the most efficient one. An efficient unit keeps your utility bills low and can offset the actual purchase price of an air conditioner. Efficiency is indicated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratings (SEER). The larger the number, the more efficient it is going to be. With SEER ratings of up to 18, Ruud is doing well on this front.
| Model | Series | Stages | SEER | Tonnage | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RA17 | Classic | Two-Stage | Up to 17 | 2-5 tons | 10 years |
| UA17 | Achiever Plus | Two-Stage | Up to 17 | 2-5 tons | 10 years |
| RA14 | Achiever | Single Stage | Up to 16 | 1.5-5 tons | 10 years |
| RA13 | Achiever | Single Stage | Up to 15.5 | 1.5-5 tons | 10 years |
| RA14**W | Achiever | Single Stage | Up to 16 | 1.5-3.5 tons | 10 years |
From our research, these are the top 5 Ruud air conditioners that offer a range of efficiency, stages, and tonnage to suit various home cooling needs. All come with an impressive 10-year warranty on parts.
When buying a new or upgraded air conditioner, consider the following factors:
While finding the best air conditioner at the lowest price is important, also consider the value of quality. The least or most expensive Ruud air conditioner may not be the best for your needs. Factor in what matters to you, your house size, and potential tax credits for high-efficiency units.
Air conditioner size is measured in BTU (British thermal units per hour), with 12,000 BTU equaling one ton of cooling. Choose the appropriate BTU based on your home's square footage:
Also consider factors like sun exposure, unit installation location, and occupancy.
Negotiate a service plan with discounted labor and repairs when hiring a technician for installation. For upgrades, have a load calculation done to determine cooling needs, as changes in energy efficiency or home size can impact requirements. Hire an experienced, certified contractor for proper installation to avoid future issues.
This review provides information on what to expect from Ruud air conditioners and the best models on the market. We believe any of the listed units will meet most people's needs, depending on home size and number of inhabitants. It's up to you to determine which one offers the performance you require.