Who owns Rheem?
Rheem has built furnaces and air conditioners for decades and has been owned by Japan's Paloma since 1988; the holding company is now Paloma Rheem Holdings. Its sister brand Ruud is built from the same model families, and since 2025 the same parent also owns the company behind Fujitsu mini-splits.
Current Rheem equipment is sold as the Endeavor Line in three tiers: Classic, Classic Plus and Prestige. Older Rheem furnaces and condensers used the Classic and Prestige names too, so for parts we go by the full model and serial number on the rating plate, not the series badge.
What usually causes a Rheem furnace to stop heating?
On a Rheem condensing furnace, a no-heat call often traces back to the draft side: the inducer motor, the pressure switch, the small hoses between them, and the condensate trap. When a trap plugs or a hose splits, the pressure switch won't close, and the board locks the furnace out after a few tries. A furnace that starts and stops every few minutes is a different problem; our short-cycling guide walks through the usual causes.
Hot surface igniters and flame sensors wear out on schedule. Blower motors deserve a note: many Rheem furnaces use programmed constant-airflow motors, so a replacement often has to be ordered programmed for that specific furnace model rather than grabbed off a shelf.
On EcoNet-enabled systems, the furnace, outdoor unit and EcoNet thermostat talk to each other. After we replace a board, thermostat or outdoor unit, we re-commission the system so every piece is recognized. For air conditioners, capacitors, contactors and condenser fan motors are the typical wear parts. We also check the outdoor coil itself: cottonwood fluff and grass clippings pack the fins by midsummer, pressures climb, and the capacitor and compressor pay for it. More detail on the process is on our furnace repair page.
Rheem heat pumps and the Minnesota winter
Rheem sells ENERGY STAR certified heat pumps, including cold-climate versions of its RD17AZ side-discharge universal heat pump. "Universal" means it can pair with many existing furnaces and air handlers, not only Rheem's. In Minnesota we set these up as dual fuel: the heat pump runs through fall, spring and much of winter, and the gas furnace takes over when it's cold enough that the furnace is the cheaper or more comfortable heat source. That switchover temperature is a setting, not a fixed number. We set it from your gas and electric rates and how well the heat pump keeps up in your house, and it can be adjusted after the first winter.
Rheem's newly manufactured air conditioners and heat pumps use R-454B refrigerant. Existing R-410A Rheem systems can still be repaired and recharged, and a new R-454B outdoor unit needs an indoor coil matched to it.
Is Rheem a good replacement choice?
For most Minnesota houses, Rheem sits in a practical middle. The Classic Plus tier covers two-stage heating and a solid heat pump at a moderate price, and the Prestige tier adds the R98MV modulating furnace (98% AFUE) and variable-speed outdoor units for homeowners who want quieter, more even heat. If you're comparing value brands for cooling, see our Rheem vs Goodman AC comparison.
We size every Rheem replacement with a Manual J load calculation. Installed furnaces run $4,500–$9,500 and heat pumps $7,500–$14,500. Rheem's longer parts coverage depends on registering online within 60 days of installation in most states, and a yearly maintenance visit keeps the records that help if you ever need a warranty claim. Maintenance plans are available on request.
Booking Rheem service
Reach us at 612-429-3465 from 7am to 9pm, seven days a week, or send a request through our website. We start with a $79 trip charge, which is waived once you approve the repair, then give you a written flat-rate price. Completed repairs come with a 1-year parts-and-labor warranty.
Rheem questions
Are Rheem and Ruud the same equipment?
Largely, yes. Rheem bought Ruud in 1959, and today the two brands share model families: the RD17AZ heat pump, for example, is sold as a Rheem Classic Plus and a Ruud Achiever Plus. The badges and tier names differ. For repairs, the overlap means many parts fit both, though we still order by the full model and serial number.
Is Rheem a good choice for a Minnesota heat pump?
Rheem's cold-climate certified heat pumps are a reasonable pick, especially set up as dual fuel with a gas furnace. The heat pump covers fall, spring and a good part of winter, and the furnace takes over in deep cold. We size the system with a Manual J load calculation and look at the unit's cold-weather capacity, not just its efficiency rating.
Do I need an EcoNet thermostat?
Not always. EcoNet-enabled Rheem equipment gets its full feature set, including system alerts and communicating setup, with Rheem's EcoNet thermostat. Many Rheem systems, including its universal heat pumps, also run on a standard thermostat. If you already have a smart thermostat you like, we'll tell you what you'd give up before you decide.
What does a Rheem service visit cost to start?
A $79 trip charge at the same price in every town we cover, waived when you approve the repair. You get a written flat-rate price before we start. Tune-ups run from $129 for a furnace or AC, or $219 for both together.
How do I keep my Rheem warranty?
Register the equipment with Rheem online within 60 days of installation; in most states the longer parts coverage depends on it. Keep your maintenance records too, since they help if you ever file a claim. We leave you the model numbers, serial numbers and install date after every install.
Sources
- Rheem official site rheem.com
- ENERGY STAR energystar.gov