Rheem model numbers read left to right: brand, series, motor, capacity, stages, airflow, cabinet. Rheem publishes the full key on its specification sheets, and this guide follows that key exactly. This guide decodes Rheem furnace and air-conditioner model numbers position by position, using the key Rheem prints on its own product data sheets.
Rheem and Ruud are the same company and the same equipment. A Ruud model number is the Rheem number with a U in place of the R (R96V becomes U96V, RA16 becomes UA16). See the Ruud model number guide.
Where to Find the Rheem Model Number
On a furnace, the rating plate is inside the front door or on the side of the cabinet, usually a foil or paper label with the model (M/N) and serial (S/N) side by side. On an outdoor AC or heat pump it is on the side of the condenser near the refrigerant line connections. Copy the model number exactly as printed, including dashes: the position of each character is what carries the meaning.
Rheem Furnace Model Number Format
A typical Rheem furnace model number looks like: R96VA0702317MSA. Use the table to split it up:
| Position | Characters | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | R | R = Rheem; U = Ruud | R |
| AFUE series | 96 | 80, 90, 92, 95, 96, 97 = nominal AFUE | 96% AFUE |
| Motor | V | V = variable-speed; T = constant-torque (X-13); P = PSC premium; S = PSC standard | V (variable-speed) |
| Major revision | A | A = first design; B = second design | A |
| Heating input | 070 | 040 = 42,000; 060 = 56,000; 070 = 70,000; 085 = 84,000; 100 = 98,000; 115 = 112,000 BTU/h (80% units: 050, 075, 100, 125, 150) | 70,000 BTU/h |
| Stages | 2 | 1 = single-stage; 2 = two-stage; M = modulating | 2 (two-stage) |
| Airflow | 3 | 3 = up to 3 tons; 4 = 2.5 to 4 tons; 5 = 3.5 to 5 tons of cooling | Up to 3 tons |
| Cabinet width | 17 | 14 = 14 in.; 17 = 17.5 in.; 21 = 21 in.; 24 = 24.5 in. | 17.5 in. wide |
| Configuration | M | M = multi-position; D = downflow; Z = downflow zero-clearance | M |
| NOx | S | S = standard; X = low NOx | S |
| Minor revision | A | A = first design | A |
Buy the same name-brand HVAC system the pros install — shipped factory-direct to your door. No middleman, 5-star rated, and financing available.
Common Rheem Furnace Families
The first few characters identify the family, and the family tells you the tier, staging and blower before you read a single digit of capacity.
| Model prefix | Family | Stages | Blower | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R98V | Prestige 98 | Modulating | Variable-speed | 98% AFUE |
| R97V | Prestige 97 | Modulating | Variable-speed | 97% AFUE |
| R96V | Classic Plus / Prestige 96 | Two-stage | Variable-speed | 96% AFUE |
| R96T | Classic 96 | Single- or two-stage | Constant-torque | 96% AFUE |
| R95T / R92T | Classic 95 / 92 | Single-stage | Constant-torque | 92-95% AFUE |
| R802V / R801T / R801S | Classic 80 families | Two- or single-stage | Varies | 80% AFUE |
Rheem AC and Heat Pump Model Numbers
Outdoor units use a different string. A typical Rheem air conditioner model number looks like: RA1636AJ1NA.
| Position | Characters | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | R | R = Rheem; U = Ruud | R |
| Product category | A | A = air conditioner; P = heat pump | A (AC) |
| SEER | 16 | 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20 = nominal SEER | 16 SEER |
| Cooling capacity | 36 | 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60 = thousands of BTU/h | 36,000 BTU/h = 3 tons |
| Major series | A | A = first design; B = second design | A |
| Voltage | J | J = 208/230 V single-phase; C = 208/230 V three-phase; D = 460 V three-phase | 208/230-1 |
| Type | 1 | 1 = single-stage; 2 = two-stage; V = inverter (variable) | 1 |
| Controls | N | N = non-communicating; C = communicating (EcoNet) | N |
| Minor series | A | A = first design; B = second design | A |
Rheem Tonnage by Model Number
Every Rheem outdoor unit carries its cooling capacity as a two- or three-digit BTU code. Divide by 12 to get tons (1 ton = 12,000 BTU/h). Furnace numbers carry the gas input instead, so a "080" on a furnace means 80,000 BTU/h of heating, not 80,000 BTU/h of cooling.
| Model code | Size | Cooling capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 018 | 1.5 ton | 18,000 BTU/h |
| 024 | 2 ton | 24,000 BTU/h |
| 030 | 2.5 ton | 30,000 BTU/h |
| 036 | 3 ton | 36,000 BTU/h |
| 042 | 3.5 ton | 42,000 BTU/h |
| 048 | 4 ton | 48,000 BTU/h |
| 060 | 5 ton | 60,000 BTU/h |
Common Rheem outdoor families and where they sit:
| Model prefix | Family | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| RA13 / RA14 / RA16 | Classic | 13-16 SEER |
| RA17 / RA20 | Classic Plus / Prestige | 17-20 SEER |
| RP14 / RP16 | Classic heat pumps | 14-16 SEER |
| RP17 / RP20 | Prestige heat pumps | 17-20 SEER |
What the Rheem Model Number Does Not Tell You
The model number says nothing about the unit's age. That is in the serial number, and Rheem has changed its serial date format more than once. Use the Rheem serial number lookup to turn a serial into a manufacture date, or the HVAC serial number decoder hub for any other brand. The model number also does not tell you whether the unit was installed and charged correctly, which matters as much as the SEER digit for what it actually costs to run.
Decoded Your Rheem? Here Is What to Do With It
If the unit is under 10 years old and the model number shows a mid- or high-efficiency family, it is usually worth repairing. If the serial dates it past 12 to 15 years for an AC or 15 to 20 years for a furnace, the capacity and cabinet width you just decoded are exactly what you need to size a replacement. A new system at the same tonnage and input will drop straight into the same duct and gas connections.
Related: Goodman vs Rheem AC comparison · how to read any furnace data label · Goodman model number decoder.
Get your system replaced.
Tell us a little about your home and what you're replacing. A specialist will call you to work out exactly what you need, go over the price, and get it replaced. No obligation.