Ruud Water Heater Reviews: 2022 Guide

| Last Updated: May 12, 2022

Are you searching for a high-quality Ruud water heater? You don’t need to worry and waste your time searching everywhere. We’ve listed the best Ruud water heaters to help you out. These heaters are very easy to operate and install. They are helpful for commercial and residential uses. They can give you hot water within a few minutes. We are sure you will be able to find a heater for yourself after reading this article.

Having been formed on the back of the gas water heater inventor, Edwin Ruud, Ruud water heaters are a household brand name. What makes them such a leader is their dedication to durability and innovative designs that keep ahead of the curve.

Not sure where you should look for a replacement water heater? Ruud is likely to be a good start. Check out this guide for everything you need to know about Ruud and their range of products.

How Does Ruud Compare to the Competition?

Ruud is one of the leading companies in heating and cooling applications. They are famous for their performance and features. Some of the main factors that make Ruud differ from its competitors are:

Safety Measures

Ruud water heaters contain the latest precautionary measures. They have built-in protection against some serious risks. The anode rods of these water heaters increase its life expectancy and protect the tank from rusting and oxidizing. They also contain different sensors that indicate gas and water leakage. Some Ruud heaters also include LCD and sight windows. These features help in monitoring the pilot and burner.

Size and Price

Ruud provides its customers with different types of heaters. There is an extensive range of heaters available in the market at different rates. Buyers can choose the size and price according to their needs. There are different sizes suitable for industries and apartments. You also need to keep your budget in mind before purchasing any heater.

Drain Valves and Burners

These water heaters have a brass drain valve at the bottom of the tank. You can use these valves for draining the sediment and lime from the tank without facing any difficulty. Ruud tries its best to protect the environment from pollution. The company makes most of its burners from low NOx. These burners minimize the emission of carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases.

The Best of Ruud

Ruud, known for its customer service and technological innovation, is an excellent choice for a water heater. Here are some of the reasons why:

Offers a Complete Product Line

Ruud has one of the most diverse product lines on the market. Offering solar, tankless, hybrid, and conventional water heaters, Ruud has both gas and electric installations for their residential and commercial ranges. Unlike many manufacturers, Ruud also sells parts to repairing the products, giving a more comprehensive approach to customer service. Their line showcases an inclusive range of mid to high-efficiency water heating products in varying sizes to fit your capacity needs.

Excellent Customer Service

Ruud dedicates itself to providing helpful customer service for everyone’s experience. They have a customer service helpline based in the U.S.A. The team of representatives is dedicated to providing quick, reliable service. In general, customers have considered their experience with Ruud customer service as being of a high standard. In line with this, customers have reported excellent customer service from Ruud’s contractors when needing help with their water heaters, as well as all representatives on the phone.

Their website also offers tools to make the customer’s experience easy, such as the energy calculator to help compare products to work out savings and the Econet app for remote control of your water heater.

Apps Available

In the era of smart homes, being able to control your water heater remotely is a thing of the present. Having an app for your system shows a brand’s dedication to providing up-to-date and innovative technology. Ruud has three apps to help clients use its systems.

The first app, Calcusave, is an information database system that compares information and pricing of water heater replacement options on the market to Ruud products. This helps customers to work out how much they would save with different options.

The Ruud Contractor App is a database that allows contractors to work smarter, by using the QR code scanner to find all the information on products. This allows access to cross-referencing, warranty lookup services, and a learning center.

The EcoSmart app is the most impressive app which enables remote control of your smart water heater system. The app sends out warnings if a system failure occurs, while enabling you to set the heater to your desired preferences, and alter them from afar. The operation modes will also help with energy savings by recommending the best way to heat most efficiently.

List of Awards

Ruud has won a treasure chest full of awards for their water heating ranges and services. In Home Builder Executive Magazine, Rudd won an award for being both the most innovative tankless brand and for being the most innovative tank brand of water heater.

Their tankless model also reached the Top 50 Products in Architectural Products Magazine. ReModelIndex.com voted them the number one brand for remodelers, while Builder Magazine voted them the most familiar brand for builders during their own study. Most recently they were the Brand Survey Winner for Builder and Developer Magazine, showing the widespread satisfaction of their clients.

Energy Efficient

Energy Star is an award founded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to introduce more energy efficiency to water heaters. Ruud is a partner with Energy Star, with a long list of their products reaching the requirements to gain this award.

Ruud’s heat pump technology is the reason for their high efficiency, enabling the products to consume less power and save money on electricity and gas bills. The heat pump is twice as efficient as standard comparable models, as it saves money by using the stable temperature of the Earth. This means it doesn’t need to work as hard, and therefore, saves power.

Ruud Provides an Impressive Warranty 

A warranty says a lot about a company, and short warranties suggest that the water heater might break very quickly. A long warranty indicates that a company trusts that the product will last a long time. Ruud warranties for residential products begin at eight years for both the water heater and parts. For those who wish to pay a little extra, there is an extended 12-year warranty called ProtectionPlus, which provides limited coverage for those extra years.

Ruud warranties are impressively comprehensive in comparison to other warranties on similar products by other brands. Equally, they are known for honoring their warranty when problems occur.

Major Drawbacks of Ruud

One of the major issues that customers have found when installing Ruud products is the customer service on repairs, though friendly and polite, does not always diagnose the problem correctly. The issue with this is that it delays repairs for customers, leaving them unsatisfied. This has left customers with water heaters that don’t work for longer than is necessary.

Equally, customers have complained that sometimes the installation of the products is a little bit tricky. In this sense, there is an extra cost for hiring and installation engineers to come up and help put the products in.

Comparison of the Best Ruud Water Heaters

There are a lot of Ruud water heaters available in the market. If you are going to purchase a Ruud heater, then you must know everything about it. Here’s a quick comparison of the models we’re going to be reviewing in detail.

Model Name

Unit Size (Gallons)

Energy Efficiency

Cost

Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM

1100 

94%

$1,470.79

Rheem RTGH-84DVLN Tankless Water Heater Low Nox

12,000 

0.82

$1,027.18

Professional Achiever Plus™ Ultra-Low NOx

50 

0.58 – 0.64

$1400.00

Ruud Solar Thermosyphon

120, 160, 200, 300, 350 

NA

$12,50.00

Ruud Ultra® RUTGH

12,000 

0.93

$999.00

Professional Achiever Plus™ Powered Damper

40 

0.65 – 0.70

$816.00

Professional Ultra ™ Powered Damper

50 

0.68 – 0.70

 $1000

Hybrid Electric Commercial

50, 65, and 80 

3.55 – 3.70

$1400.00

Light Duty ELD40-TB

40 

NA

$1,491.25

Heavy-Duty Electric 50 Gal

50, 85, 120, and 175 

98%

$726.85

Key Terms to Know

To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.

  • Type of Water Heater: Whether the water heater is traditional, hybrid, solar, or tankless. 

  • Capacity: This can refer to the number of gallons the water heater can hold or, in the case of tankless, how many gallons per minute it can produce. 

  • Efficiency Rating: The UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) indicates how efficient the unit is. Higher numbers mean more energy efficiency. 

  • First Hour Rating (FHR): The amount of hot water your heater can produce during high demand. This is the recovery rate + 70%.

  • Recovery Rate: The number of gallons of water your water heater can heat within one hour of being drained. (How fast your water heater can heat water)

Reviews of the Best Ruud Water Heaters

Ruud water heaters are known for their performance and outstanding features. They are some of the most in-demand heaters in the market. Here, we’ve reviewed the best Ruud water heaters so that it is easy for you to select one for yourself.

Best Overall:
 Rheem RTGH-95DVLN 9.5 GPM

Rheem RTG-95DVLN-1 Water Heaters, Gray

PROS

  • No battery required for operating the heater
  • Latest electronic controls increase the efficiency of energy
  • Self-diagnostic mechanism allows easy installation and diagnosing issues
  • It has a digital display that helps in maintaining the temperature setting and codes
  • Heat exchanger (condensing) made up of stainless steel that prevents it from rusting

CONS

  • It has a short lifespan
  • Creates noise that is quite irritating
  • The tank starts to leak after a few months of installation

Why it Stands Out to Us

This water heater stands out to us because of its outstanding features and specifications. Its quality and performance are worth praising. The latest electronic control and digital display mechanism are quite impressive. Using this control, you can increase the energy efficiency of the heater. This, in return, will improve the performance of the Rheem heater. It has some protective features, which help in maintaining safety. People who are already using this heater are very happy with its performance and features. They can use it for different purposes and applications. It does not require any battery for operation.

Bottom Line

Summing it up, this water heater is worth buying. It offers perfect features at an affordable rate. You will never regret buying this water heater. People can install it in their garages and homes. They can use it to produce hot water to wash their dirty clothes and greasy dishes. You can install and use it without facing any difficulty. Rheem promises to provide its customers with maximum comfort and ease. They test their products before launching them in the market. Thus, you can buy this water heater without worrying about its lack of durability.

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Tankless

Capacity:

9.5 GPM

Efficiency Rating:

94%

Runner-up:
 Rheem RTGH-84DVLN Tankless Water Heater Low-NOx

Rheem RTGH-84DVLN Indoor Direct Vent Natural Gas Condensing Tankless Water Heater Low Nox

PROS

  • Freezing protection for this water heater is down to -30⁰F
  • Energy Star product, which means it has a high energy efficiency
  • It has NOx burners that minimize the emission of poisonous and harmful gases
  • Using the accessories, you can interlink several heaters to make a system of load-sharing
  • Since this is a tankless heater, it will occupy less space and provide hot water within a few seconds

CONS

  • It creates unbearable noise
  • The packaging is not good – parts break before delivery
  • After some time, the performance of this heater deteriorates

Why it Stands Out to Us

This water heater is great because it contains high-quality protective features. The NOx burner is eco-friendly; it reduces the emission and production of poisonous gases like carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide. Plus, it is successful in gaining customer satisfaction and positive response. There are hardly any negative reviews about this product. This heater is highly efficient and durable. You can use it for different purposes. The interlinking of multiple units for creating a manifold is very impressive. You can do this by using the accessories that come along with the water heater.

Bottom Line

To sum it all up, you can install this water heater in your industries and factories. People can also use it for taking a soothing and comfortable hot shower. It is very easy to install, use, and move. It consumes less energy than other traditional water heaters. It is also resistant to corrosion and rusting. There are no leakage complaints with this water heater, and it won’t increase your utility bills. Moreover, since it is tankless, it occupies less storage space. It provides you with hot water within a short time. 

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Tankless

Capacity:

8.4 GPM

Best for the Money:
 Professional Achiever Plus™ Ultra-Low NOx

PROS

  • EverKleen™ system avoids the formation of sediment
  • Does not require a lot of maintenance because it is filter-free
  • Igniting the burner of the tank is very easy, as you won’t need a match
  • Premium-grade anode rods protect and increase the lifespan of the tank
  • It has a drain valve made up of brass, which helps in draining the residue without any difficulty

CONS

  • You might face leakage issues
  • The packaging is not up to the mark

Why it Stands Out to Us

This water heater includes protective features that turn it off during the accumulation of flammable vapor. It also has a shut-off feature for fuel. This device protects against the formation of sparks or short circuits. Since there are no filters present for cleaning, this means that it requires less maintenance. It is an affordable product for everyone because it is not expensive, like other water heaters. You can easily ignite the burner (it does not require a match). The outer material of this water heater is long-lasting and the anode rods increase the life of the tank.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for an affordable Ruud water heater that is capable of fulfilling all of your needs, then this is the ideal choice for you. People who are already using it rarely face any problems or issues. In fact, they highly recommend opting for it, as it has a lot of features and safety measures. It will never disappoint you with its performance and you can use it without any professional help or assistance. People won’t face any later expenses either because it minimizes the need for maintenance.

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Tank

Capacity:

29, 40, 50 and 55

Efficiency Rating:

.58 - .63 UEF

First Hour Rating (FHR)

51 - 99 gallons for natural gas

Recovery Rate:

Up to 45 GPH at a 90° F rise

Best Ruud Solar Water Heater:
 Ruud Solar Thermosyphon

PROS

  • Magnesium rods are easy to replace and use
  • The quality of the tank remains the same, even with saline water
  • New jacket design (around the tank) maintains its operation in cold areas
  • 3mm thick metal storage is resistant to the high pressure of the water supply
  • Anodized aluminum coating is durable, which protects the tank from ultra-violet rays in coastal areas

CONS

  • The design is not appreciable
  • It occupies more space due to its bulky design than other heaters

Why it Stands Out to Us

This water heater stands out to us because it can operate in all types of weather conditions. It is resistant to corrosion, rust, and humidity. Its performance remains the same in coastal areas (saline water). It has magnesium rods that are very easy to replace and install, and it has a longer lifespan than other heaters. It has enough power to withstand the high pressure of water. It has a high-quality tank of anodized aluminum. Also, it prevents the side effects of ultra-violet rays that might affect its performance. It is worth very single penny you will spend on buying it.

Bottom Line

This water heater contains spectacular features and specifications. You can use it in your homes, offices, cabins, and restaurants. People living in cold areas can install it in their cottages and homes to ensure hot water for taking a relaxing steam bath. Chefs can use the hot water for making teas, coffees, and soups. People can also use the heated water to wash the oily floor of their garages. The tank is protected against humidity, rusting, and corrosion, and is very easy to use and install. You can clean the bottom of the tank without facing any difficulty.

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Tank

Capacity:

120, 160, 200, 300 and 350-Liter

Best Ruud Tankless Water Heater:
 Ruud Ultra® RUTGH

PROS

  • Built-in pump, which saves the installation time
  • There is less wastage of water 
  • Indicates the leakage of gas by using the gas leak detecting sensor
  • Includes an environment-friendly burner that reduces NOx emissions
  • Stainless steel tank (condensing exchanger) prevents it from rusting and corroding

CONS

  • Moving this tank may be difficult
  • Packaging is not satisfactory
  • The structure is not pleasing

Why it Stands Out to Us

This heater contains a lot of sensors for detecting serious issues, which was successful in gaining our attention. These sensors can detect gas leakage, water leakage, temperature exhaustion, and flame defects. This will protect the water heater from a lot of risks and hazards. The stainless body of this tank protects it from corrosion. It will never disappoint you with its performance. It also stands out to us because it minimizes the wastage of water. It consumes less power, which also means this won’t increase your bill. You will never regret buying it for your home.

Bottom Line

To sum it all up, you must consider this water heater on your buying list. It contains amazing safety measures for the user and tank itself. It will never cause a burden on your pockets. You can use it in farmhouses, too. You can also use it in chemical industries as a substitute for boilers and steamers. It deserves a lot of appreciation. There are hardly any complaints or bad reviews about this water heater.

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Tankless

Capacity:

11 GPM

Efficiency Rating:

.94 UEF

Best Ruud 40-Gallon Water Heater:
 Professional Achiever Plus™ Powered Damper

PROS

  • Low NOx burner (eco-friendly) reduces the emission of harmful gases
  • Electronic control mechanism for gas helps in monitoring and service diagnostics
  • Water sensor detects the water flowing outside the heater for less wastage of water
  • Compatible with EcoNet (Wi-Fi) so users can control the settings if they are away from their homes
  • It fulfills the latest Energy Star requirements, which means this heater consumes very little energy and provides 100% performance

CONS

  • The sensors fail after a few years
  • Efficiency may not remain the same

Why it Stands Out to Us

This water heater stands out to us because it has almost all of the latest technologies. It supports EcoNet, just connect it to the Wi-Fi system and download the free mobile application. This feature allows you to control the temperature, vacation, and energy settings. You can also monitor the heater while you are away from your home and office. The water sensor in this heater detects whether the water is leaking or not. It will send you alert messages through the mobile application. This heater automatically turns off when there is a risk of flammable vapors.

Bottom Line    

In a nutshell, you will never regret buying this water heater. It is an ideal option for getting hot water in a home or office. The design and structure of this heater are worth praising. The Wi-Fi technology and water detector sensor are quite impressive. Customers are very happy with its performance and results. The anode rods increase the lifespan. It can serve a family of  three to four members. People can take two showers at a time with plenty of hot water and you can use it for many more purposes, as well. It is an Energy Star product, which is a plus point for customers.

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Tank

Capacity:

38, 40, and 50 gallon

Efficiency Rating:

.65 - .69 UEF

First Hour Rating (FHR)

66 - 84 gallons

Recovery Rate:

Up 50.5 GPH at a 90° F rise

Best Ruud 50-Gallon Water Heater:
 Professional Ultra ™ Powered Damper

PROS

  • Does not contain any filter for cleaning, thus, it requires less maintenance
  • Automatic shutoff device for fuel, which means it consumes less fuel (energy)
  • Automatically shuts off whenever there is an accumulation of flammable vapors
  • There is a brass valve at the bottom of the tank that allows you to drain the sediment
  • Includes an eco-friendly burner that helps in preventing the emission of polluting gases

CONS

  • The design of this heater is not so good
  • Leakage of the tank might occur at times
  • It has poor packaging – parts might break before delivery

Why it Stands Out to Us

This water heater is present on our list because of its outstanding performance and features. It has excellent features and is inexpensive, too. You can use it for space heating, as well. It has a certification of potable water, which means the water is safe to drink. You can also use it in your kitchen for cooking food or making tea. There are a lot of preventive measures in this heater that are already built-in. It won’t increase your utility bills because it consumes very little energy. It can supply you with hot water at any time.

Bottom Line

Summing it up, this water heater is useful for many different applications. You can install it in homes, offices, factories, and cabins. Hotels can install it so that tourists or guests can take a soothing and relaxing bath after a tiring day. Restaurants can use it to make food and provide boiled water to the customers. It is an affordable water heater. It won’t cause a burden on your pockets later on, either. It requires less maintenance and energy than other water heaters. So if you are looking for a water heater that can fulfill the needs of your large family, then this is the perfect product for you.

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Tank

Capacity:

38 and 50 gallon

Efficiency Rating:

.68 - .69 UEF

First Hour Rating (FHR)

66 - 79 gallons

Recovery Rate:

Up to 40.4 GPH at a 90° F rise

Best Ruud Electric Water Heater:
 Hybrid Electric Commercial

PROS

  • High energy efficiency helps in reducing the operating cost
  • The speed of delivering hot water is faster than the other standard heaters
  • Wi-Fi technology also helps in monitoring the water heater from far distances
  • It has a built-in sensor, LCD, and alarm for providing leakage alerts to the user
  • Provides quick and easy access to the side connections and electrical junction box

CONS

  • The packaging of this water heater is not good
  • LCD and sensor might cause problems after a few months

Why it Stands Out to Us

This water heater stands out to us because of its high-quality results and features. The specifications and structure are worth praising. It has a very high energy factor, which means that it will consume very little energy compared to other heaters. It provides customers with hot water at a very fast speed. You don’t need to wait for a long period. Every single penny you will spend on it is worth it. It contains the latest Wi-Fi technology, which helps the user to operate and set the water heater per their requirements from outside of their home.

Bottom Line

Summing it up, you will never regret buying this heater. It is a value for money product. It is one of the fastest-selling products in the market. It contains all of the latest technologies. You can set the temperature and other settings according to your needs. This heater is available in different sizes. Thus, you can buy a size to fulfill your needs. It has an LCD screen that helps you in monitoring the burner and inner elements of the heater. It will never disappoint you with its performance and results.

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Hybrid

Capacity:

40, 50, 65 and 80 gallon

Efficiency Rating:

Up to 4.0 UEF

First Hour Rating (FHR)

60 - 87 gallons

Recovery Rate:

27 GPH at a 90° F rise

Best Ruud 40-Gallon Electric Water Heater:
Light-Duty ELD40-TB

PROS

  • Coating increases the life of anode rods and the water tank itself
  • Drain valve helps in draining the sediment and residue at a faster speed
  • Polyurethane foam reduces the operating cost since it consumes less energy
  • Strong porcelain enamel coating helps in preventing the water tank from rusting
  • Includes some resistant elements that have a coating of magnesium oxide that prevents it from corroding and oxidizing

CONS

  • You can face leakage issues
  • The structure of this tank is not pleasing
  • Occupies more space than other heaters

Why it Stands Out to Us

This water heater is great to use because it is available at different rates, sizes, and wattages. You can purchase it according to your family's needs. This heater has a thermostat at the surface that automatically turns on and off according to the preset value. It maintains the temperature of the water by keeping the heat inside. Non-CFC insulation helps in minimizing standby heat loss and pollution. It is very easy to install, use, and maintain the tank. This heater is resistant to corrosion, oxidation, and rust. You can use it for commercial and residential applications.

Bottom Line

This water heater is one of the fastest-selling products in the home and water accessories market. You can use it for different purposes. It contains amazing features like a thermostat, brass valve for draining, and resistant elements. Customers who are already using this water heater are very happy with its performance and specifications. We are sure you will never regret buying it. There are hardly any bad comments about this water heater. It can provide you with a large amount of hot water within a few minutes.

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Tank

Capacity:

40 gallons

Efficiency Rating:

.92 -.93 UEF

Best Ruud 50-Gallon Electric Water Heater:
 Heavy-Duty Electric 50-Gal

PROS

  • Available in different sizes to cater to different needs
  • Thick non-CFC insulation helps in minimizing the heat loss
  • Porcelain-enamel coating prevents the tank from corroding
  • It has a control box in the front through which you can easily install the wiring
  • Thermal efficiency of this water heater is 98%, which means it consumes less energy and provides more hot water

CONS

  • It requires more maintenance
  • Packaging and design are not so good
  • The tank stops working after a few years

Why it Stands Out to Us

This water heater stands out to us because of its different sizes, rates, and energy requirements. Customers can easily customize and buy it according to their needs. The shipment of the tank is done by Rheem, so you don’t need to pay any extra charges for shipping. It is an ideal choice for commercial and residential uses. It has a stainless body and screws that prevent the tank from rusting. You can easily screw and unscrew it. The wiring of this water heater is very easy. You can do it by using the control box.

Bottom Line

To sum up, you can use this water heater without facing any difficulty. It is successful in gaining the attention and satisfaction of customers. People are very happy with the heater’s result. You can use it in your chemical factories as a replacement or substitute for boilers. It is available in different sizes, which is a plus point for the customers. It is worth buying and is resistant to corrosion and rusting. So don’t waste your time and buy one for yourself.

Product Specs

Type of Water Heater:

Tank

Capacity:

50 gallons

What Kind of Warranty Does Ruud Offer?

One thing that every customer wants to have is a long-term warranty. Ruud is one of those companies that offers 100 percent ease to its customers by giving them different types of warranty. It is successful in gaining more and more customers due to its warranty. As we all know, Rheem has acquired Ruud so both companies offer similar types of warranties. Some of them are:

10-Year Warranty

Like all other manufacturers of HVAC, Ruud offers a limited ten-year warranty for parts. This warranty also includes the repair of the compressor unit. There is a one-year warranty for labor costs, as well.

Repair or Replacement Policy

Ruud promises to care about its customers at any cost. They try their best to offer less expense on the customer’s pocket. The company will replace the whole water heater if users are facing any issues regarding leakage. However, this is only possible within the warranty period. If they have any other problems, Ruud will repair the heater, rather than replacing it.

Warranty for Six years

Ruud provides a six-year warranty to its customers for some water heaters. This warranty remains valid only as long as the customer is living in the same place where the Ruud heater was installed. This includes a one-year warranty for labor and a six-year warranty limited to parts and tanks only.

Types of Ruud Water Heaters

Here are some of the most popular products by Ruud:

Ruud Professional 8.4 GPM Outdoor Condensing Tankless Water Heater

This model is a high-efficiency condensing device run on gas that enables continuous water heating on demand. With a 93% energy rating, it also meets ultra-low NOx standards. It has been awarded the Energy Star rating for excellent efficiency, and two out of three LEED points for eco-friendliness. To boost energy and water savings, it has water-saving settings that enable a decreased usage of up to 1,100 gallons per year, while the recirculation pump provides hot water faster, and therefore, can save up to 12,000 gallons per year.

The installation is very easy and there is a self-diagnostic system to help with this process. The water heater is EcoNet-enabled for remote use and monitoring of your hot water usage.

Regarding safety and durability, the Overheat Film Wrap prevents the water heater from reaching dangerous temperatures, while it also has freeze protection to prevent damage to the components in cold weather.

Ruud Hybrid Electric Water Heater

Dubbed as the most efficient water heater available, with a Universal Energy Factor of 3.55-3.70, while also being Energy Star rated. The heat pump technology is designed to create maximum efficiency within this unit. This model provides extremely fast hot water with a first-hour delivery rate of 67 gallons for the 50-gallon model, 75 in the 65-gallon model, and 89 on the 80-gallon model. The "Vacation" and "Energy Saving" settings also increase energy savings when using this model.

It is easy to access the side connections and electric junction box, making it a simple installation process.

This model is EcoNet-ready, allowing it to connect to Wi-Fi devices and enabling remote access and control over the water heater, even away from home. The water sensor alert has an audible alarm, to prevent any issues with leakages.

Designed for durability, the premium-grade anode rod has a resistor to help extend the lifespan of the tank. The stainless steel resistor elements also help to increase longevity, while the non-CFC foam insulates the tank to prevent heat leakage and energy loss.

Ruud Professional Achiever Plus Gas Water Heater

This gas-powered water heater offers a 111-gallon first-hour rating for natural gas and 88 gallons an hour for LP gas. The recovery rate is about 47.5 to 65.7 gallons per hour. Heated with an eco-friendly burner, this model incorporates a low NOx design to ensure lower noxious emissions and better air quality.

The Flammable Vapor Detection System increases the safety of this system, by disabling the heat source in the case of flammable vapor accumulation. The premium-grade anode rod, brass drain valve, and silicon nitride ignitor all increase the durability of the product, which also help to improve its longevity. Equally, the EverKleen self-cleaning system helps to prevent the buildup of sediment.

Basic Information You Need to Understand About Water Heaters

When looking at purchasing a new water heater, it is important to familiarize yourself with some of the key terms used in the description. Understanding how water heaters are rated, helps you get a feel of which product is going to suit your requirements.

Capacity

Water heaters have different sizes. While "bigger is better" may sound like a good idea, having the wrong size water heater will lead to inefficient water heating and usage. If the water heater has a much higher capacity than you need, you’ll end up wasting energy and heating more water than necessary. If it is too small, it has to work very hard, which also consumes a lot of energy.

In this sense, when looking for a water heater tank, you need to look at the first hour rating to see how much water it produces. Equally with tankless heaters, look for the gallons per minute rating. Compare this to your own household usage to define the right size for you.

The BTU, or British Thermal Unit, number will also help you determine its capacity. The higher the BTU input, the higher the amount of water per hour that can be produced.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency ratings are usually seen as a percentage or as the UEF. The UEF, or the Universal Energy Factor, is an Energy Star rating system to determine how efficient the system is. The higher the UEF number, the more efficient the model is. Those rated with the Energy Star seal are very energy efficient products. While sometimes a little more expensive, they tend to save quite a lot of money in running costs.

Durability

If you are looking for a durable product, take note of the anode rod material, as you need a high-quality rod to help prevent corrosion. Equally, the material of the drain valves will help to keep the water heater working effectively, with brass being one of the best materials. Water heaters with self-cleaning technology will also last longer and will reduce the need for regular maintenance.

Who is Ruud?

The owner of Ruud manufacturing company is Edwin Ruud. He was a successful mechanical engineer from Norway. After coming to America, he launched the first successful automatic water heater. Ruud water heaters are available in the U.S.A., Mexico, and Canada. It has very fast delivery in North America. Ruud has different exporters and distributors in other countries as well. Rheem has taken over Ruud Manufacturing Company.

This company offers budget-friendly products that are easily affordable for everyone. It produces water heaters for residential and industrial purposes. It also develops different boilers, heaters, and cooling applications. You can find a product according to your needs without any difficulty.

Ruud Company History

Edwin Ruud, the founder of the company, was a mechanical engineer that came to America over a century ago. He was the inventor of the very first tank-style water heater that went into production in 1889 and later went on to become patented.

The company was formed in 1897 after Ruud bought his own patent, leading to the innovation in water heating products throughout the years for both commercial and residential applications. Now one of the largest manufacturers of water heating devices in North America, Ruud still dedicates itself to providing reliable, durable, energy-efficient water heaters, with dynamic technology, and great customer service.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Ruud water heaters are worth buying. They are available at different rates in the market. Each heater has a different quality, features, pros, specifications, and cons. You just need to select the best one for yourself. You can use these for residential and commercial purposes.

Ruud is a brand that has built its legacy as a leader in water heating. With a great loyalty program and a focus on customer service, Ruud provides a wide range of products that include forward-thinking technology that suits the modern world. Inclusive of durable parts and safety mechanisms, Rudd aims to provide longevity in its high-quality products. Choosing the right size is down to you, however, so make sure you understand your water usage before you take your pick.

People Also Ask

Whenever you purchase a product, there are hundreds of questions arising in your mind regarding it. Similarly, it is not an easy task to buy a perfect Ruud water heater. There might be a lot of questions in your mind. You might find the answers to some questions here:

Are Ruud and Rheem Water Heaters the Same?

Yes, Ruud and Rheem water heaters are the same. Rheem sells heaters under the name of Ruud also. Both Rheem and Ruud sell the same products, including conventional tank heaters, hybrid water heaters, tankless water heaters, and solar-based heaters. Both companies develop water heaters for commercial and residential purposes.

How Do I Tell the Age of a Ruud Water Heater From the Serial Number?

Telling the age of your Ruud water heater is not difficult at all. You can easily tell by looking at the serial number. For an older Ruud water heater, you can figure out the age by looking at the third and fourth digits of the serial. These digits are usually present after multiple letters. New Ruud water heaters have their manufacturing date written on the right side of the serial number.

How to Reset a Ruud Water Heater?

There are two types of reset methods. Some water heaters have a red button, which is present above the water heater’s thermostat. You need to remove the plate of metal covering the heater’s thermostat. After that, you need to press the button for resetting the heater. The second method revolves around a gas valve. Turn off this valve for a few minutes. Then switch it to reset the heater.



My name is Bob Wells and I am a retired HVAC tech from Washington state. I am currently retired and no longer do much with HVAC, however, I feel like I have a lot of knowledge in the subject and I wanted to create a website where I could talk about what I've learned and help upcoming HVAC techs. Find more info about me and HVAC Training 101.