Ruud Gas furnace reviews [Models and Prices]

Gas furnace Overview

A gas furnace is a type of heating system. The heat exchanger uses natural gas instead of oil as its fuel source. It generates heat through ductwork in the home by using a pilot light connected to a thermostat that homeowners can set to regulate the temperature in their homes. When considering whether to purchase a gas furnace or oil furnace, homeowners should consider where their home’s location and their heating needs. 

Homeowners shopping for a new gas furnace should factor in the weather in their area before purchasing a new gas furnace. Considerations when purchasing a new furnace include fuel consumption, unit efficiency and affordability. The size and price of a new gas furnace can vary depending on the size of the home and how much heat output is required.

About Ruud

Ruud gas furnaces are a common brand in America with several high-quality gas furnaces. 

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.

Ruud Furnace Series

Basic – Achiever Series:

Ruud Achiever Series of products represent the brand’s most economical selection of furnaces. Although they’re only considered entry-level units, they still include Ruud’s Exclusive PlusOne™ Ignition and Water Management Systems as well as their Industry-First PlusOne™ Diagnostics.

Better – Achiever Plus Series:

Boasting many of the same innovative Ruud technologies as the economic-tier, the Achiever Plus Series introduces multi-speed ECM blower motors to outperform standard PSC models. Not only does this provide a higher level of comfort and more consistent indoor temperatures, but it also assures higher AFUE ratings throughout.

Best – EcoNet™ Enabled Ultra® Series:

Ruud’s selection of EcoNet™-enabled UltraⓇ Series furnaces are available for those who want a premium-level of home comfort and efficiency. Featuring modulating and two-stage operation, these units achieve Ruud’s highest selection of AFUE ratings, and will obviously cost a bit more ($800 – $2000 more than entry-level units).

Ruud Top Models Comparison

UltraⓇ Series U98V:

With an AFUE rating of up to 98%, the EcoNet™-enabled Ruud UltraⓇ Series U98V is the most powerful furnace available from the brand. This reliable unit is incredibly quiet, and efficient thanks to Ruud patented heat exchanger design that significantly improves air flow.

Furnace Stats:

• AFUE: 98%
• Furnace type: Modulating
• ENERGY STAR rated? Yes
• Tier – Best

UltraⓇ Series U96V:

Ruud’s UltraⓇ Series U96V features two-stage operation with a variable-speed ECM blower motor, to achieve an AFUE rating of up to 96%. This ENERGY STAR-certified furnace is also EcoNet™ enabled to promise an incredibly cost-effective and durable performance.

Furnace Stats:

• AFUE: 96%
• Furnace type: Two-Stage
• ENERGY STAR rated? Yes
• Tier – Best

Achiever Plus Series R96T:

With an AFUE rating of up to 96%, the Ruud Achiever Plus Series R96T is an impressive mid-range offering from the brand. Its reliable two-stage operation promises a consistent level of comfort for your entire home, while innovative Ruud technologies ensure savings at every turn.

Furnace Stats:

• AFUE: 96%
• Furnace type: Two-Stage
• ENERGY STAR rated? Yes
• Tier – Better

Achiever Plus Series R96P:

The Ruud Achiever Plus Series R96P offers single-stage operation with a fixed-speed PSC blower motor to guarantee reliable heating. The unit is compactly designed at only 34-inches to promise easy installation while exceeding expectations in its efficiency.

Furnace Stats:

• AFUE: 96%
• Furnace type: Two-Stage
• ENERGY STAR rated? No
• Tier – Better

Achiever Series R95P:

Despite being one of Ruud’s most affordable furnace options, the Achiever Series R95P boasts an AFUE rating of up to 95%. The unit utilizes a single-stage burner to promise consistent heat distribution for your home.

Furnace Stats:

• AFUE: 95%
• Furnace type: Single-Stage
• ENERGY STAR rated? No
• Tier – Basic

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.

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. Thee igniters guarantee worry-free operation and an even more accessible level of serviceability.

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 not only will save money but also valuable time when your furnace needs servicing.

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.

Ruud Furnace Care and maintenance:

Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to the safety, efficiency and lifespan of both gas and oil furnaces. If you have a gas furnace and no pets, change the filter every 90 days. Those with pets should change it every 60 days. If you have multiple furry friends, or if anyone in your home has severe allergies or asthma, you may need to change your filter more often – perhaps every 20 days. 

Check the flames in the burner every so often to make sure they are burning a clean blue. Listen for any strange noises or vibrations. Have your furnace serviced annually in the fall before the heating season begins.

Soot and debris are natural byproducts of an oil furnace. Change the filter and carefully clean the furnace right before cold weather sets in and again halfway through the heating season. Inspect the outside of the furnace for soot periodically and listen for vibrations or odd noises. Check the smoke coming out of the chimney to make sure it isn’t black. Have your furnace professionally serviced each fall.

Ruud furnace warranties:

Ruud warranties vary depending on the exact model you choose. Lower end oil furnaces carry a five-year parts warranty and a limited lifetime warranty on the heat exchanger, while the highest end Ultra series gas furnaces offer a 10-year parts warranty, a limited lifetime heat exchanger warranty and a limited lifetime conditional unit replacement warranty. 

In addition, extended warranties may be available through your dealer. Ask your HVAC professional for specific warranty information for your chosen unit.

Pros of buying a Ruud Furnace:

• Ruud is a good brand for Canadians who are looking to save on their monthly utility bills with a furnace upgrade. Ruud furnaces will deliver the energy efficiency that they’re looking for at affordable pricing options.
• Ruud offers high-efficiency furnaces at reasonable prices. For consumers looking to save on energy, Ruud delivers given that the majority of its product line is ENERGY STAR® certified
• This reliable furnace is incredibly quiet, and efficient thanks to Ruud patented heat exchanger design that significantly improves air flow.
• In a nutshell, Ruud produces low-cost, high-efficiency air conditioners. They offer both an “Achiever Series” and an “Ultra Series,” but all their models are very durable and have good SEER ratings. The overall quality of Ruud AC units is excellent when installed properly.
• Quiet and efficient comfort is what you get with a Ruud Ultra Series Gas Furnace. The new patented heat exchanger design provides improved airflow, which reduces operating sound by 20%**. The variable-speed ECM motor also contributes to a quiet, more efficient operation. It’s engineered to provide better humidity control while using less power. 
• Cons of buying a Ruud furnace:
• Ruud is excellent at providing the features that consumers are looking for at different pricing tiers. However, they could make their offerings more competitive by providing unit replacement warranty coverage, a feature that is available from many other leading furnace manufacturers.
• While some furnaces can last over 40 years, the average lifespan of a typical gas furnace is around 15-30 years. If you have scheduled yearly furnace maintenance, your furnace should only last over 15 years.