Find the manufacture year of any Ruud AC, heat pump, or furnace. Ruud and Rheem use identical serial formats.
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How to decode the serial number
Ruud is a sister brand to Rheem — both manufactured at the same Fort Smith, Arkansas facility. The serial number format is identical between the two brands.
1996 to Present
The first character is F. Digits 2–3 are the year. Digits 4–5 are the week.
F172312345
Position
Meaning
Example
1
Plant code — Fort Smith, AR plant
F
2–3
Year — 2017
17
4–5
Week — Week 23
23
6+
Sequence — Ignore
12345
Where to find the serial number
On Ruud outdoor units, find the data plate on the side panel near the refrigerant lines.
On Ruud furnaces, the data plate is inside the front cabinet, usually on the blower compartment wall.
The serial number starts with F followed by year and week digits — same as Rheem.
Decoded examples
F2317A12345
→ Week 17, 2023
F = plant, 23 = 2023, 17 = week 17
F0845B67890
→ Week 45, 2008
F = plant, 08 = 2008, 45 = week 45
Life expectancy
Expected lifespan: 15–20 years. Ruud and Rheem equipment is identical — same longevity expectations.
Common questions
Yes. Ruud is manufactured by Rheem Manufacturing at the same factory in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The equipment is mechanically identical — only the brand name and cabinet color differ. Ruud is typically sold through plumbing and heating wholesalers while Rheem is sold through HVAC distributors.
The serial number starts with F, followed by two digits for year, then two digits for week. Example: F1734 = week 34 of 2017.