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HVAC

Ruud Air Conditioners Review 2024

Modernize Rating: 3/5

Average Cost: $3,125 - $8,500

Ruud air conditioners are seen as a mid-tier brand with affordable options as well as units with above average SEER ratings. However, their warranty is somewhat limited, and there have been complaints about specific models.

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Modernize maintains homeowner-first editorial integrity, meaning we accept no commissions and no partner links for this review. Our reviews are thoroughly fact-checked by our home improvement experts. Ratings are determined by a sophisticated algorithm to rate brands, including analyses of products, materials, quality, costs, sizes, durability, energy efficiency, and warranties.

Ruud Air Conditioner Review

Ruud air conditioners are known for their affordability in comparison to some of their competitors. Their HVAC warranty time frame isn’t as long as some other air conditioning brands, however you will save upfront on installation costs as you can see below with our price breakdown by model, SEER rating, and size.

rudd air conditioners

 


Ruud Air Conditioner Prices

As of 2024, the price for a new Ruud AC unit ranges between $3,125 and $8,500 in installation costs. The final cost to replace your current HVAC system with a Ruud air conditioner will depend on the SEER rating, the Ruud model you choose, and the TONNAGE needed to cool your home.

For example, the Ruud Achiever series, which includes mid-range models, tends to cost between $3,500 and $4,200 for installation. In contrast, the high-end Ruud Ultra series models, which provide top-tier efficiency (22+ SEER ratings) and features like inverter-driven cooling, can cost between $6,000 and $8,500 to install​.

Talk to a local contractor today to find out about average prices in your area.

Ruud AC Unit Prices by Size

For Ruud AC units, tons range from 1.5 to 5 tons and can cost between $3,100 to $8,500 to install. If you need to heat and cool a 1,600 square foot home you would need a 3 TON Ruud AC unit, costing around $3,910 for installation. For a larger 5 TON Ruud air conditioner, suitable for a 2,600 to 3,200 square foot home, you can expect to pay $5,490 or more for installation.

The price to install a new air conditioner will vary. A new AC unit can be a great investment for your home and utility bills. However, you need to pick the Ruud Air Conditioner with the TONNAGE that is able to remove heat and cool your home at the right level. This is usually based off of your home’s square footage. However, there are some other factors that may lead you to needing a larger size unit. Below you can explore average installation costs for Ruud AC units by size.

Ruud AC Cost by Size
Ruud AC Unit SizeHome Square Ft.Installation CostAC Unit Only
1.5 ton600 - 1000$3,180$1,082
2 ton1000 - 1300$3,360$1,245
2.5 ton1300 - 1600$3,650$1,320
3 ton1600 - 1900$3,910$1,540
3.5 ton1900 - 2200$4,350$1,690
4 ton2200 - 2600$4,500$1,850
5 ton2600 - 3200$5,490$2,450

Ruud AC Installation Costs by Model

You will want to decide which SEER rating is best for you. The better the SEER rating, the more money you can expect to save on utility bills in the future. However, you will pay more in installation costs upfront for higher SEER Ruud AC units. For a standard efficiency air conditioner of SEER 16 such as the Ruud Achiever RA16 model you could expect to pay around $3,505 in installation costs or $1,275 for the AC unit only. See average installation costs of Ruud air conditioner models below:

Ruud AC Cost by Model
RUUD AC ModelEnergy EfficiencyInstallation CostAC Unit Only Cost
Achiever RA1313 to 15.5 SEER$3,150$1,000
Achiever RA1414 SEER$3,350$1,100
Achiever RA1616 SEER$3,505$1,275
Achiever Plus UA1717 SEER$3,620$1,480
Ultra UA2020 SEER$4,025$1,925

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Ruud HVAC Warranty

As long as you follow the directions and register for your Ruud HVAC warranty within the allotted time, you will be covered. Though Ruud’s warranties aren’t as comprehensive as some other top brands which are usually more expensive, the savings in initial costs for the price of the unit and installation may be worth the lack of extensive warranty.

If you were going to install a new Ruud air conditioner, you may also want to consider replacing your home’s furnace with a Ruud furnace at the same time.


Local Ruud AC Installers

A new air conditioner is only as good as the technician who installs your new AC unit. If your replacement unit is installed properly, it will last longer and be more energy efficient, allowing for cheaper utility bills. Ruud air conditioners can be purchased on their own and then installed by a reliable contractor. If you go this route, you will want to make sure the AC installer you work with has had experience working with the Ruud HVAC brand. However, many of the contractors we work with will be able to get the desired AC system for you and include installation services as well.

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