Rheem air handlers evaluate : HVAC Options

Indoor consolation isn’t so simple as the air conditioner exterior your own home. Rheem indoor air handlers have the widest number of comfort-elevating choices in the marketplace.

Our information to Rheem air handlers gives a take a look at the model fame, air handler dimensions, specs, model comparisons, and extra. Study if a Rheem air handler is best for you.

Are Rheem air handlers good?

Rheem is an enormous title within the HVAC house, and for good purpose. It’s delivered dependable, high-quality merchandise for the reason that Twenties.

The model first emerged within the residence consolation house by producing high quality water heaters and boilers. At present, Rheem takes that very same expertise and high quality and creates one of the vital distinctive strains of air handlers in the marketplace.

Most air handlers Rheem sells are for electrical cooling, and the normal fashions have non-obligatory electrical heating attachments for warmth pumps. Nonetheless, the model is very identified for its hydronic heaters. These tankless techniques work with water-heating choices like boilers.

One hydronic sequence is appropriate with nearly each HVAC system Rheem sells, from air conditioners to warmth pumps and water heaters. The hydronic sequence are considerably dear, however they’re highly effective and designed to run quietly.

Rheem air handlers provide all kinds of motor expertise and speeds. The model sells low-, mid-, and high-efficiency fashions with a little bit of one thing for everybody.

Rheem caters to a greater variety of customers than premium manufacturers like Trane or Lennox, whereas additionally having extra electronically commutated motors (ECM) and options than a worth model like Goodman. It’s a terrific mid- to high-level model with a large stock and fame for sturdiness.

Coil expertise

All however three Rheem air handler fashions have all-aluminum evaporator coils. Producers are slowly shifting from mixed-metal to all-aluminum coils, however Rheem was forward of the pattern when introducing its new coil in 2015.

Needless to say the cabinet-height mannequin (RBHP) and among the wall mount fashions (RHAL/RHBL) nonetheless have mixed-metal coils. They use copper tubing and aluminum fins.

Blower motor speeds

Rheem air handler blower motors, like almost all different manufacturers, are available in two sorts: an electronically commutated motor (ECM) and everlasting cut up capacitor (PSC).

The most important distinction between an ECM and PSC blower motor is the extent of energy used to blow conditioned air by means of your own home. A PSC runs at 100% energy each time it activates. This makes the blower motor much less vitality environment friendly and sometimes creates a shorter lifespan for the motor.

An ECM gives a number of ranges of energy to solely blow as laborious as wanted to keep up the specified thermostat setting. The ECM not often operates at 100%, making it way more vitality environment friendly with the power to maintain your own home extra snug.

All Rheem cupboard peak and wall mount air handlers use a PSC motor, however the conventional air handlers provide each choices, relying on the mannequin.

Whereas the RH1V and RH2V each have variable-speed blower motors, they’re designed for two-stage outside models. Solely the RHMV sequence is appropriate with variable-speed or modulating outside models. Premium manufacturers like Trane, Lennox, and Service provide an even bigger choice of variable-speed air handlers.

If, nonetheless, you’ve a single-stage air conditioner, Rheem gives an unmatched choice.

Sensible expertise

Two Rheem air handler sequence, RHMV and RH2T, include EcoNet® speaking expertise. This method senses your humidity and temperature ranges, then makes changes that optimize your consolation stage whereas minimizing vitality utilization.

Plus, you possibly can management the airflow from the Rheem EcoNet® app. The app can also be appropriate with Amazon Alexa, so you possibly can change the settings hands-free.

Notice that EcoNet® requires a Rheem sensible thermostat and a Rheem outside air conditioner unit. In case you aren’t trying to revamp your complete system, standalone expertise like Goodman ComfortBridge is a greater choice.

Air handler sizes

Each Rheem air handler is on the market in a number of sizes. Air handler sizing is normally measured in tons.

Tonnage isn’t the burden of the air handler itself. Tonnage is the ability output, or capability, of the air handler unit. Generally, air handler capability is listed in British Thermal Items (BTU) relatively than tons. 12,000 BTU/hour is equal to 1 ton of output.

Most air handlers vary from 1.5 to five tons of output, however Rheem has a higher-capacity unit than many rivals. The RWMV ranges from 3 ⅓ to eight ⅓ tons, making it a terrific match for bigger houses.

Your native Rheem contractor may also help you identify what dimension air handler you want. It relies on the dimensions of your outside unit and your local weather area, amongst different components.

Rheem air handler product overview

In contrast to most competing manufacturers, Rheem doesn’t divide its air handler sequence into official worth or efficiency tiers. Right here’s a complete take a look at dimensions, blower motor speeds, and extra.

Rheem air handler costs and set up

Rheem is taken into account a mid-range model. Rheem air handlers and air conditioners typically value lower than premium manufacturers like Trane, Lennox, or Service.

Rheem is usually pricier than worth manufacturers like Goodman or Coleman. Rheem pricing is usually on par with different mid-range manufacturers like Heil and Maytag.

Nonetheless, Rheem pricing varies enormously as a result of wide selection of air handler choices. Among the premium choices are simply as costly, if no more, than choices from Service or Trane.

Under are some estimates of Rheem air handler charges. The unit value refers to a Rheem 3-ton air handler and doesn’t embody set up prices.

Rheem air handler set up

HomeAdvisor estimates that you simply’ll pay someplace between $1,200 and $1,800 to put in your Rheem air handler.

We strongly counsel hiring a contractor and avoiding DIY set up. An improper set up can tank your vitality effectivity and leak refrigerant, inflicting a security concern.

Plus, Rheem asks on your contractor’s contact data whenever you register the guarantee. Making an attempt to put in a Rheem air handler your self will danger voiding the guarantee.

In case you’re trying to set up a brand new indoor and outside system, try our HVAC mission value calculator.

Rheem air handler guarantee: what’s coated?

All conventional and entrance return Rheem air handlers have a 10-year conditional components guarantee. To assert the guarantee, it’s essential to register your system on-line inside 60 days of buy.

Some air handler fashions have a shorter or much less complete guarantee. The desk beneath breaks down the coverage for every sequence.

Rheem air handlers vs. rivals

With any funding as massive as an air handler, it’s necessary to match manufacturers. We discover some areas the place Rheem triumphs over competing manufacturers and a few potential areas of enchancment.

Plus, we stack Rheem up towards prime HVAC names. For extra about what’s in the marketplace, try our critiques of Trane, Service, Goodman, and Lennox air handlers.

Rheem vs. Trane

Rheem and Trane have among the widest air handler varieties in the marketplace. Each make conventional, compact, and wall mount choices for electrical and hydronic warmth.

Each manufacturers had been additionally early adopters of all-aluminum coils. The primary distinction between the 2 is {that a} Trane air handler will probably last more, however a Rheem is extra reasonably priced and remains to be made properly for the value.

Rheem vs. Goodman

Rheem and Goodman are each thought-about worth to mid-range manufacturers. Each provide PSC motors, whereas manufacturers like Trane, Service, and Lennox have switched to extra environment friendly motors.

Goodman gives fewer ECM motors than Rheem. Plus, Rheem has a extra expansive choice of air handlers than Goodman.

Whereas Rheem is barely costlier than Goodman, Rheem air handlers are constructed with higher insulation and are extra dependable.

Rheem vs. Ruud

The 2 corporations had been based individually, however Rheem acquired Ruud again in 1960. Rheem and Ruud’s father or mother firm is the Japan-based Paloma Industries.

Many Rheem and Ruud air handlers are manufactured on the identical plant. Most are structurally similar, besides they’re given a Ruud label relatively than a Rheem.

Rheem and Ruud air handlers share most of the identical mannequin numbers. Each manufacturers are comparable by way of worth, however Rheem air conditioners have a fame for being barely much less noisy than Ruud outside models.

In relation to selection and choice, it doesn’t get significantly better than Rheem. There’s a Rheem air handler for just about any motor kind, heating, or cooling system you’ve.

Rheem’s hydronic and variable-speed fashions can get dear, and it lacks the sky-high vitality effectivity of manufacturers like Lennox. Nonetheless, Rheem air handlers are nice mid-range choices for a lot of owners.