Rheem-Ruud

About Rheem-Ruud: A Century of Heating, Cooling, and Water Heating Innovation

Few names carry more weight in the world of home comfort than Rheem-Ruud. Together, these two storied American brands represent over a century of engineering excellence in heating, cooling, and water heating — and today they operate as a unified family under Rheem Manufacturing Company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Rheem side of the story begins in 1925, when brothers Richard and Donald Rheem founded their company in California, initially producing galvanized steel drums. Within a decade, they had pivoted into water heaters, and by the 1930s Rheem products were distributed coast to coast. A landmark innovation came in 1954 with the introduction of porcelain glass-lining technology, which dramatically extended the service life of water heater tanks. Then in 1956, Rheem launched its "Rheemaire" line of central air conditioning and heating systems for homes — marking the company's definitive entry into the broader HVAC market.

The Ruud chapter is even older. Edwin Ruud, a Norwegian immigrant, developed the world's first automatic gas water heater in 1889, at a time when reliable hot running water was a luxury almost unheard of. His Ruud Manufacturing Company built a reputation for durability and dependability that endured for decades. In 1959, Rheem acquired Ruud, combining two industry pioneers into a single powerhouse. Today, Ruud continues as a trusted brand within the Rheem family, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers with a full portfolio of HVAC and water heating products.

Rheem Manufacturing has since grown into one of the world's premier producers of residential and commercial comfort equipment — one of the rare global brands with product offerings spanning heating, cooling, conventional storage water heaters, tankless water heaters, and a complete range of replacement parts and accessories. With manufacturing facilities across the United States and an international presence spanning the Americas, Australasia, and the Middle East, Rheem-Ruud products are engineered and tested to meet rigorous quality and reliability standards.

Among the brand's most important milestones in energy efficiency, Rheem and Ruud were the first manufacturers to offer a Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater — delivering more than double the efficiency of comparable conventional electric water heaters. Rheem was also first to produce a complete line of high-efficiency condensing units and heat pumps, underscoring its consistent commitment to advancing energy performance.

For HVAC technicians, contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners, the Rheem-Ruud lineup of OEM replacement parts is indispensable. Whether you need an A/C Condenser Fan Motor to restore an outdoor cooling unit, an HVAC Blower Motor to keep airflow moving through a furnace or air handler, or Water Heater Burner Assemblies for a gas storage unit, Rheem-Ruud genuine OEM parts ensure a precise fit and long service life. The brand's complete Water Heaters are a top choice for residential and light commercial applications, and their Electric Heat Kits make it straightforward to add supplemental electric heating capacity to heat pump and air handler systems.

From a startup steel drum manufacturer in 1925 to a multi-billion-dollar global comfort brand, Rheem-Ruud has earned its reputation one reliable product at a time.