No Heat and I'm Cold. I have a Rheem Furnace MD: RGDG-10EAMER, S/N DF50302 F4894 9075. When the unit first starts in heat, you mentioned the induced draft motor will start with no other reaction from the system, that should be the best time to locate the issue by using a volt meter. I have a Rheem Criterion II Gas furnace, model #RGDG.
#35 of 93 brands of furnaces
109 reviews
- Very Satisfied41
- Somewhat Satisfied8
- Neutral6
- Somewhat Unsatisfied9
- Very Unsatisfied45
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Read more about Rheem furnaces
FurnaceCompare no bias towards or against any particular brand of heating and cooling equipment. Since 2002 our job has been to provide information, reviews and commentaries on equipment, not to tell you to buy one brand over another. Here's what you need to know about Rheem furnaces.
Rheem Furnace Series
Rheem presents their furnaces in three series, with several units in each series. The top end series, Prestige, offers five different units. The middle tier, Classic Plus, offers nine units, and the bottom tier, the Classic, offers six options. Prestige and Classic Plus units can reach 96% efficiency, while the highest efficiency Classic unit is 95% AFUE, so there is little difference in efficiency range, as each tier has a bottom efficiency model of 80% AFUE. The main difference is in technology, where most of the Prestige units are EcoNet ™ enabled. Other differences are in motors or design, though motor types are not consistent across series, so if you are keen to a certain type, look at each unit. All Classic Series come with permanent split capacitor motors (PSC). Classic Plus has PSC, electronic commutated motors (ECM) and Constant Torque ECM, while Prestige has ECM and variable speed motors.
Prestige
- Most are EcoNet ™ enabled
- Also includes all listed below
Classic Plus
- PlusOne ™ Diagnostics
- PlusOne ™ Ignition System
- Higher efficiency units come with PlusOne ™ Water Management System
Classic
- Most models, particularly the higher efficiency units, are similar to the Classic Plus. We had a difficult time distinguishing any true difference, except where specific features do not come with a specific unit in a series.
Where are Rheem Furnaces made?
Rheem is the same as RUUD, as RUUD is owned by Rheem. Rheem is owned by Paloma Group, which is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan. Rheem itself is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with several plants within the United States. Their gas furnaces are manufactured in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Rheem-Specific Features
Rheem markets their EcoNet™, which is a smart thermostat. It has an app, which is compatible with Apple and Android, so the user can control their system from anywhere. Rheem also claims the user can place service calls with one click.
Another marketing item from Rheem is the Rheem-Exclusive PlusOne ignition system. This is Rheem’s direct ignition system. The company claims it to be one of the more reliable in the industry.
The industry-first PlusOne diagnostics marketed by Rheem is an LED display, which comes with a number of units. It is used for placing service calls.
The PlusOne water management is a sensor in the furnace. This is a safety mechanism. The sensor will shut off the furnace if a drain is blocked.What do Heating Contractors Say?
Pros
- Contractors note Rheem durability, one said they are “ built to last,” while another said a unit was 17-years-old and they, “never touched it”
- “Takes a back seat to nobody,” in regards to quality a contractor said.
- “...that Econet control is slick for not a lot of loot,” a contractor said.
- “Most reliable on the market,” a contractor said of Rheem.
- “Service friendly,” said a contractor.
Cons
- One contractor called the warranty, “worthless,” and there are other mentions of this issue.
- Another contracted noted, “all the hoops one has to jump through to deal with them.”
- Contractors mentioned that Rheem is not as quiet as American Standard/Trane, one contractor noted the difference in the “fan blade or compressor protection pressure switches.”
- Though there was some debate on this topic, one contractor claims Rheem technology lags specific to when EcoNet came out, “Rheem/Ruud units are 5 to 7 years behind the rest of the pack.” A different contractor countered with, ”Let's see, Rheem was the first 100% Copeland scroll in the early 90s, the first 34' furnace, the first tubular heat exchangers, the first direct spark in a modern inshot burner furnace and as beenthere [another contractor] said, way ahead of everyone on the modulating furnace.”
Reviews by Series
Current Series- Classic(5reviews)
- Classic 90(3reviews)
- Classic 90 Plus(5reviews)
- Criterion II Plus 2 LXE(3reviews)
- Prestige(1review)
- Prestige 90 Plus(2reviews)
- Prestige w/CCC(2reviews)
Discontinued Series
- Criterion(4reviews)
- RGPH(1review)
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Location: NorthCentral PA
Satisfaction Rating:
Review:
'Furnace quit/no repairman'
My 95% efficiency Rheem quit at 4.5 years of age. It never really saved me anymore money than my 25-year-old Carrier oil furnace. When I bought it, the dealer said they’d install it, but won’t service it. Well, the salesman said nothing goes wrong with them - just keep the filter changed. I called a local repairman and he left, said he needed to call someone and he’d know what the error codes meant. That was 3 months ago - haven’t seen or heard from him since. I’m going to start chopping wood for my wood stove. What a waste of $5,500.Date created: 2018-05-04Name: W. Hikade, CPP
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Satisfaction Rating:
Review:
'Failure prone, service problems'
In December 2010 I installed an rgpn-05eauer furnace in a rental I own. I had a furnace failure in April 2014. The technician that performed service cleaned the flame sensing rod and recommended that it be cleaned every year. In December 2014 I started cleaning not only the flame sensor rod but also the igniter rod using the steel wool the technician recommended. In October 2017 I had another furnace failure this time it was an intermittent roll-out temperature sensor. After several service calls this was finally replaced. In April 2018 the furnace failed to operate again. A technician was called. He cleaned the flame sensor rod and informed me that we should have the flame sensor rod cleaned once a year. I informed him that I have been cleaning the flame sensor every December since 2014. The previous furnace had been installed and operating with no service problems since 1982. I would not recommend that you even consider using any type of Rheem furnace, unless you want to pay $94 every time you have a furnace failure.Date created: 2018-04-21Name: Ian Gomes
Location: Ontario, Canada
Satisfaction Rating:
Somewhat Satisfied
Review:
'Happy so far with Rheem'
We had a Rheem furnace installed in 2009. The following winter we hadto call a technician in when it stopped working. He replaced thepressure sensor which was covered under warranty. Ever since then it'sbeen running well. Only complaint about the furnace is that the fan isa bit noisy.Date created: 2017-03-02Name: E. Matheny
Location: Farmington, NM
Satisfaction Rating:
Review:
'Dissatisfied customer'
Had my furnace installed on January 31, 2014 and have had trouble withit since day one. There is an oil filled piece inside that initiallysmokes up your house once the unit is turned on for the first time. Itdid this but never stopped. Was always smelling this odor and constantburning of our eyes. When unit was turned back on in October 2014, itset off smoke detectors again. Service company came out and totallyremoved furnace and found oil all over the fire box where this piece ofequipment had completely leaked all the oil out. They cleaned it andreplaced parts and reinstalled same furnace. January 2016 had to replace1/2 horse power motor with capacitor and limit switch. Parts werecovered, but I had to pay $300 for service charges. January 2017, lessthan a year later, had to have motor replaced again at a cost of $161.Almost $500 in last year for service charges. Original furnace in thishouse ran for over 30 years and all I ever had to do was change filtersregularly. What's wrong with this picture.Date created: 2017-01-20Name: Kenneth Schroeder
Location: Gardnerville, NV
Satisfaction Rating:
Very Unsatisfied
Review:
'Worst furnace ever'
I had this 96% efficient furnace installed 6 years ago because I wantedto add an air conditioner and figured I would replace my 26 year oldRheem furnace that I had never had a single problem with. That was a badmistake. After less than 3 years the flame sensor needed to be replacedwhich required a service call. Now the middle of winter and as cold asit can be the crappy furnace goes out. Service man comes out anddetermines it is the multi speed blower motor. No one stocks thesebecause they are so expensive. I was quoted just under $1100.00 for themotor by 2 different service companies. I have been without heat foralmost 1 week now and the first company said 2 to 4 weeks to get themotor and the second company said 2 weeks to get the motor. This is byfar the worst piece of crap I have bought and Rheem lives up to its nameby reaming its customers on replacement. The only reason I am notreplacing this piece of crap is that the furnace was warrantied for 10years although I have to pay for the shipping of the motor and labor tohave it installed.Date created: 2016-12-20Name: Thomas Mercaldo
Location: Hicksville, NY
Satisfaction Rating:
Review:
'Unpleasant noise from exhaust vent pipe'
My next door neighbor had a Rheem RGRK-Series Model with an input rateof 120,000 btu installed. It vents horizontally out the side of theirhouse opposite my bedroom. The noise being emitted was so loud it wouldkeep me awake. When I would be in my detached garage (the opening 20feet from the vent pipe) the noise could be sensed reverberating off theceiling In the back of the garage more than 30 feet from the vent pipe.After numerous complaints to the Town of Oyster Bay, the Town had theiroutside engineering consultants investigate. The Town's outsideengineering consultants measured the noise to be 74 decibels at 1 footfrom the vent pipe (equivalent to a vacuum cleaner). The Town's outsideengineering consultants determined the noise was not loud enough to harmmy hearing and further determined the noise not to be a disturbance eventhough the furnace runs frequently throughout the night. I was informedthat if the noise bothers me that I should install solid fencing orbushes. Well, I installed vinyl fencing and yet I am still affected bythe noise. Not the loudness, rather for the sound that humans can nothear - infrasound. That reverberation inside my garage is a sign thatthere is infrasound, noise at or below 20 Hz. The infrasound of lowfrequency oscillating waves is causing headaches, ringing in my ears, myvestibular to pulsate, etc. The same effects many humans are having wholive close to the huge wind turbines. Of course the Town will do nothingfurther to investigate. And, not surprising to me either, Rheem does notwish to listen to or involve themselves in their product because I amnot the party who purchased the furnace, I am only the party whose lifehas been made miserable due to their product.Date created: 2016-09-13Name: Brain Adams
Location: Marshall, IL
Satisfaction Rating:
Very Unsatisfied
Review:
' New Classic furnace 95 %'
Has never run more than two months at a time without the repairmancoming and fixing it. Should have bought a York furnace like myneighbor did.Date created: 2016-07-12Name: BRUCE A. SMITH
Location: East Syracuse, NY
Satisfaction Rating:
Review:
'Like the furnace, bad installer'
Bought a Rheem furnace years ago, had an electrical lightning storm thatruined the furnace. I had another one installed, both furnaces wereinstalled by ***** * **** of Syracuse NY. I have had trouble from thestart with the blower motor making a noise. I was told you have to leavethe filter out a ways and thus leave the cap off. Again I moved thefilter out farther and have worried about dirt getting into the furnaceand blower motor. Called numerous times. Better Business Bureau will be next. I am 77 and do not need this problem.Date created: 2016-05-31Location: Stratford, CT
Satisfaction Rating:
Very Satisfied
Review:
'Long lasting brand'
Well I've owned this house for about 15 years, and the previous owner had it for 10 years so this furnace is 25 years old and still running good. It is low maintenance, so basically all you have to do is change the air filters once or twice a year. Once I called a technician because I thought it was broken but I didn't notice the on/off switch located next to a regular light switch was off, so the technician just turned the switch back on. I have never had any repairs done to it, it runs perfectly smooth. So other than that everything is good with my furnace. I will definitely recommend this brand to anyone.Date created: 2016-05-21Name: Mike Kirkpatrick
Location: Rosedale, British Columbia
Satisfaction Rating:
Review:
'Fan failure'
Diagnosed as circuit board fault, still has not been fixed. Been withoutheat and A/C for about 1 1/2 weeks. Since initial start up of this unit thefan has been very low through duct work. My concern is this product is noteven listed in your Series section, not sure what I got here.
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The opinions expressed in these reviews are the opinions of consumers that submitted reviews to FurnaceCompare.com.They do not necessarily represent the opinions of FurnaceCompare.com.
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FORM NO. G11-449 REV. 6
Supersedes Form No. G11-449 Rev. 5
GAS FURNACES
CRITERION
®
II
80.0-82.2% A.F.U.E.
✝
DOWNFLOW
GAS FURNACES
GAS FURNACES
The Rheem
®
Criterion
®
II line of downflow gas furnaces is
designed for installation in closets, alcoves, utility rooms, or
attics. The design is certified by CSA.
attics. The design is certified by CSA.
Features
■
Patented heat exchanger, constructed of both stainless
and aluminized steel for the maximum in corrosion
resistance.
and aluminized steel for the maximum in corrosion
resistance.
■
Low profile “34 inch” [864 mm] design is lighter and easier
to handle, and leaves room for optional equipment.
to handle, and leaves room for optional equipment.
■
Left or right side gas and electric inlet connections with
quick, simple change.
quick, simple change.
■
Direct Spark ignition models and integrated board with
humidifier and electronic air cleaner hookups.
humidifier and electronic air cleaner hookups.
■
Insulated blower compartment helps to reduce jacket loss
and noise.
and noise.
■
Pre-paint galvanized steel cabinet.
■
Molded permanent filter.
■
Grab-holes in doors to aid in easy door removal and
replacement.
replacement.
A variety of cooling coils and plenums designed to use with
Rheem Criterion II gas furnaces are available as optional
accessories.
Rheem Criterion II gas furnaces are available as optional
accessories.
✝A.F.U.E. (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) calculated in accordance with Department of
Energy test procedures.
RGLH- SERIES
Models with Input Rates from
50,000 to 150,000 BTU/HR
[15 to 44 kW]
50,000 to 150,000 BTU/HR
[15 to 44 kW]
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency -
AFUE
THIS MODEL
ENER UIDE
97%
78%
HIGH
MID
82%
88%
80.0%
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