What is better, Lennox or Ruud?

What is better, Lennox or Ruud depends on whether you prioritize highest efficiency and quietest operation or value pricing with cheaper repairs. Lennox AC units like ML14XC1 14 SEER, EL16XC1 17 SEER two-stage, XC20 20 SEER variable speed, and XC25 26 SEER most efficient are premium brand made in Marshalltown, Iowa, offering highest efficiency in industry at 26 SEER versus Ruud max 20 SEER, quietest operation at 59 decibels with SilentComfort versus Ruud at 68 to 74 decibels, and innovative features like solar ready and SunSource, costing 4,000 to 11,000 dollars installed for 3-ton, with service rates around 9 to 12 percent. Ruud AC units like RA14 14 SEER and RA16 17 SEER are value mid-range brand made in Fort Smith, Arkansas by Rheem Manufacturing owned by Paloma Industries, identical to Rheem, offering 14 to 17 SEER efficiency, service rates around 9 to 12 percent similar to Lennox, but 15 to 25 percent cheaper upfront at 3,800 to 6,500 dollars installed, and standard parts that cost 20 to 30 percent less than Lennox proprietary parts, for example control board at 300 to 600 dollars versus Lennox at 400 to 800 dollars, making repairs cheaper. Both offer 10-year parts warranty when registered. Lennox has proprietary parts harder to source. For homeowners wanting most efficient and quietest and staying long term, Lennox is slightly better. For budget-conscious wanting decent reliability at lower cost, Ruud is better value and good enough lasting 15 to 18 years.