Rheem and Ruud are the same equipment
Rheem Manufacturing makes both brands. Rheem is sold through one set of dealers and Ruud through another, but the units, parts and wiring are nearly the same. Rheem lines run from Classic to Classic Plus to Prestige, the top tier with variable speed models. If you have a Ruud system, this page applies to you as well.
The most common Rheem AC problems
- Fan not spinning, unit humming. Weak run capacitor or failing fan motor. Long stretches of summer heat over 100F in the Santa Clarita Valley wear these parts out faster.
- No cooling at all. Tripped breaker, a burned contactor, a blown fuse on the indoor control board, or the drain safety switch shutting the system off.
- Weak cooling and long run times. Dirty filter, dirty outdoor coil, a refrigerant leak, or a compressor near the end of its life.
- Water around the furnace or air handler. Clogged condensate line or a cracked or full drain pan. Shut the system off if water is reaching drywall or a ceiling.
- EcoNet alerts. Rheem and Ruud systems with an EcoNet communicating thermostat show fault messages on the screen and in the app. Take a photo of the message before resetting anything.
Safe checks before you call
- Thermostat on Cool and set a few degrees below room temperature. Check that a schedule is not overriding you.
- Put in a new air filter.
- Check the AC breaker in the panel and the disconnect at the outdoor unit.
- Clear plants and debris around the outdoor unit. With power off, rinse the coil gently with a hose. No pressure washer.
- If the lines are iced, set the system to Off and the fan to On until the ice melts, then call.
Do not open the electrical panel on the unit. Capacitors and control boards can shock you even with the breaker off.
How old is my Rheem?
The serial number on the data plate tells when the unit was built. Rheem has used more than one serial format over the years, so the easiest route is to send us a photo of the plate or let us read it on site. The plate also lists the refrigerant type, which matters a lot for repair decisions.
Refrigerant on Rheem systems
Older Rheem and Ruud units use R-22, which is no longer produced. Most units from about 2010 to 2024 use R-410A. New Rheem and Ruud residential systems use R-454B. A system low on refrigerant has a leak. We find and repair the leak, then charge the system to the manufacturer's specification and check it with pressure and temperature readings.
Repair or replace a Rheem AC?
On a system under about 12 years old, repairs to capacitors, contactors, fan motors, drains and boards are usually worth it. If the compressor fails on an older unit, or an R-22 system develops a major leak, replacement is usually the better use of your money. We show both numbers in writing before any work starts.
