The Ruud Achiever heat pump, with its low profile design, is meant for efficient heating and cooling for single family, multifamily and light commercial properties. It has an efficiency rating of up to 15.5 SEER and 10.7 HSPF.
For durability and reliability, the body of the heat pump is strengthened by a louvered, wrap-around jacket made of galvanized steel. A powder-painted cabinet protects the copper tube and aluminum fin coil. Ruud models must pass a 1,000-hour salt spray test to ensure they can endure harsh weather extremes. The grille/motor is mounted under the discharge grill, providing protection for the motor windings and bearings. Easy access to the internal equipment is made possible by one removable service panel and top grill. Designed for quiet operation, the air is discharged upward and the PSC fan motor usually operates on a low, quiet speed. Such features also contribute to the unit’s efficiency.
While regular, professional maintenance is recommended for Ruud heat pumps, the compressor does not require oiling. The fan motors are protected with pre-lubricated sleeve bearing, and filters must be checked monthly and kept clean as needed.
"Run! Totally away in the other direction. Nothing but problems!"
1.0 rating
Very Unsatisfied
We had the ruud rqnj-a048jk 015 heat pump installed in 2008. It's been a great big lemon from the very first day! Every spring for the last 10 years, we gave spent $400+ to repair the ac. It's been one big burden. The heat part of it works fine but the ac keeps freezing up and has thrown the fan blades twice! We are getting ready to replace the whole thing. We are just fed up! You can bet your sweet butt it wont be a Ruud or Rheem! No help from them or the installer. I'm done .
R OVERTON
Edenton, NC
"Never again"
1.0 rating
Very Unsatisfied
Moved into my new home in February 2014 and the AC went out in June 2016 – 4 months over the manufacturer's written warranty. My elderly parents were taking care of my home and noted home at 90 degrees (heat wave in Arizona). ***** ****** Heating & Cooling – who installed the unit – came to review and thought it would just be a thermostat issue or something minor – nothing major. After the tech reviewed the unit and did several tests, it was determined that: There was a refrigerant leak on the manufacturer weld on the equalizer line for compressor. The tech said that he would go back to the office and submit for review as this was a manufacturer issue on the unit – which should be covered. Warranty was denied and I had to pay $625: $168 to repair the line leak $374 Freon $83 Service Charge I went to ***** Heating and Cooling, upon return from vacation to find out why I had to pay this much money for a next to new unit. I never in my life expected to have to pay this much money after such a short while. They had submitted to the factory rep but stated, "good luck" and sent me on my way. When I contacted Ruud Warranty, Gina advised me that she can submit it for special consideration, but because I had not had regular service on my unit, changes were slim. I had used my unit very little, as it was cooler, so had not had any service done thus far. My previous home had an AC unit for 15 years and it was still running strong when I moved (not a Ruud unit). This is ridiculous and I would never recommend this brand to anyone. I should have trusted the reviews – most not favorable – instead of what was recommended to me!
Sandy C
Chino Valley, AZ
"Piece of junk"
1.0 rating
Very Unsatisfied
Manufacture date 2007, I don't know the installation date. It was here when I bought the house in 2010. It freezes up and won't defrost itself; this is the third time having the same problem in five years. So far, the warranty has provided a replacement part which seems to have been updated each time, but I have to pay labor (about 200 dollars each time). I think they know this part is defective and they should do something about it but I'm sure they won't. This is the last Ruud or Rheem that I will own.
andy adams
Staffordsville, KY
"Terrible"
1.0 rating
Very Unsatisfied
Nothing but constant problems. I finally switched to Lennox. The rep, Troy, ended the conversation with, "We have no obligation to help you". Avoid at all cost.
cecil f Bowes
Austin, TX
"HVAC Unit from RUUD"
1.0 rating
Very Unsatisfied
5 year old unit meant to last for 10 years at the very least. Has completely malfunctioned several times. Been repaired, with recalled parts replaced. Every time a mechanic comes to repair it they just "gloss over the problem" [not at liberty to admit the unit is defective]. Clearly it is a defective unit and should never have been sold in the first place. It's better to just open your windows and doors in the summer and bundle up in the winter than to buy an overpriced piece of junk like this from ruud. This is the equivalent of stealing money from their consumers. Summary: Do NOT buy RUUD if you don't have thousands of dollars to throw down the drain.
Based on comments from HVAC discussion websites, Ruud products are typically reliable, although they are not problem-free. Many of the problems that are posted on other consumer forums – problems that include leaks, burnt wires and failed compressors – seem related to the old age of the installed units. As the contractors on forums such as justanswer.com point out, an 18-year-old unit has likely hit the end of its useful life, meaning that many of the questions posed about these Achiever heat pumps are being solved by installing a brand new unit. For homeowners considering new units, Ruud products are often mentioned as being comparable to brands such as Rheem and Trane.
RUUD Achiever Model Numbers
The Achiever is available in different models which vary in efficiency and capacity.
Model Number
SEER / HSPF
BTUs per Hour
RQNL-B024JK
13 / 7.7
0
RQNL-B030JK
13 / 7.7
0
RQNL-B036CK
13 / 7.7
0
RQNL-B036JK
13 / 7.7
0
RQNL-B042CK
13 / 7.7
0
RQNL-B042JK
13 / 7.7
0
RQPL-B024JK
14 / 8
0
RQPL-B030JK
14 / 8
0
RQPL-B036CK
14 / 8
0
RQPL-B036JK
14 / 8
0
RQPL-B042CK
14 / 8
0
RQPL-B042JK
14 / 8
0
RQPL-B048CK
14 / 8
0
RQPL-B048JK
14 / 8
0
RQPM-A036CK
14 / 8
0
RQPM-A036JK
14 / 8
0
RQPM-A048CK
14 / 8
0
RQPM-A048JK
14 / 8
0
UPNL-018JAZ
13 / 8.5
0
UPNL-024JAZ
13 / 8.5
0
UPNL-031JAZ
13 / 9.5
0
UPNL-036CAZ
13 / 9
0
UPNL-036DAZ
13 / 9
0
UPNL-036JAZ
13 / 8.5
0
UPNL-042CAZ
13 / 9
0
UPNL-042DAZ
13 / 9
0
UPNL-042JAZ
13 / 9
0
UPNL-043CAZ
13 / 9.5
0
UPNL-043DAZ
13 / 9
0
UPNL-043JAZ
13 / 9
0
UPNL-049CAZ
13 / 9.5
0
UPNL-049DAZ
13 / 9
0
UPNL-049JAZ
13 / 9
0
UPNL-060CAZ
13 / 8.5
0
UPNL-060DAZ
13 / 8.5
0
UPNL-060JAZ
13 / 8.5
0
UPQL-018JAZ
15.5 / 9.5
0
UPQL-024JAZ
15 / 9
0
UPQL-030JAZ
15.5 / 9
0
UPQL-036JAZ
15.5 / 10
0
UPQL-042JAZ
15.5 / 9.5
0
UPQL-048JAZ
15 / 9
0
UPQL-060JAZ
14.5 / 9.5
0
Achiever Warranty
Ruud heat pumps have a 10-year warranty on conditional parts for which registration is required. There is a 10-year warranty on the compressor and a 5-year limited warranty on parts. “Protection Plus” extended service protection is available as well as financing options.
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