Is Heat Controller Really a Rheem?

**stinkmeaner** · 02-03-2010, 09:02 AM

So I contacted Heat Controller about their brand to inquire as to if their Century furnaces have the exact same internals as Rheem/Ruud products.

Their Response:
"Heat Controller owns the Century brand name.
Our products are not Rheem's but are manufactured at the same location."

My Response:
"So Heat Controller's Century Furnaces have pretty much the exact same parts as Rheem Furnaces?
Is there any price difference?"

Their Response:
"Our product is sold through wholesalers and we do not control their selling prices to the public.
Concerning the components, we don't have any knowledge of what components Rheem uses. A local dealer should be able to provide pricing to you if you are interested."

Do any of you professionals have a concrete answer? I'm very curious about this.

**stinkmeaner** · 02-03-2010, 09:09 AM

Heat Controller (Century)

Rheem

**heaterman** · 02-03-2010, 10:22 AM

A picture's worth a thousand words...................give or take

**jpb2** · 02-03-2010, 10:45 AM

Give or take the heat exchanger material,controls,blower.

**Some Dude** · 02-03-2010, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by jpb2

Give or take the heat exchanger material,controls,blower.

No bottom panel,and a few other odds and ends you may be buying that come with the Rheem.
No driers come with the A/C units etc.

**stinkmeaner** · 02-03-2010, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by jpb2

Give or take the heat exchanger material,controls,blower.

There you have it then. I was looking into getting a 2-stage variable speed furnace. If it's not Rheem's variable speed blower motor, then there's no point in dealing with a Century then, right?

**beshvac** · 02-03-2010, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by stinkmeaner

There you have it then. I was looking into getting a 2-stage variable speed furnace. If it's not Rheem's variable speed blower motor, then there's no point in dealing with a Century then, right?

Why does it have to be Rheem's?

**BaldLoonie** · 02-03-2010, 12:02 PM

Same stuff. When our WeatherKing dealer lost the brand he sold HC furnaces til he came up with a new line. Same serial #s, same part numbers. Could be some slight differences but nothing major. Except for the 2 stage and 2 stage VS, which should be identical to the comparable Rheems, they are more in the lines of the builder Rheems. The GLUA 90% is like the RGRS for example. They make up their own model numbers. Motors should be the same ones Rheem uses. Rheem buys from the same motor makers all brands do. The variable speed motors would be Genteq, aka Regal-Beloit, aka GE.

**jpb2** · 02-03-2010, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by stinkmeaner

There you have it then. I was looking into getting a 2-stage variable speed furnace. If it's not Rheem's variable speed blower motor, then there's no point in dealing with a Century then, right?

My point was that regardless of the cabinet what is inside can be different. Century is more or less the weatherking line as I understand it. No 95% No v/s. No 2 stage, No all stainless h/x.

**BaldLoonie** · 02-03-2010, 02:01 PM

They have graduated to higher end. GTUA is RGRL and GTUV is RGRM. GLUB is RGRC 95%.

**jpb2** · 02-03-2010, 04:06 PM

Thanks for the info.Thanks a pant load Rheem for giving me even more of their own to compete with.Geez (:

**heaterman** · 02-03-2010, 06:07 PM

Now wait till the Carrier crew learns that when the new models come out, Tempstar, Heil and the like will be the same as Carrier. I have heard that the Infinity line is going to be history.