Friedrich Air Conditioning
An American manufacturer of commercial-grade room air conditioners and specialty cooling equipment for residential and light-commercial applications.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Friedrich Air Conditioning is an American heating, cooling, and indoor-air-quality brand headquartered in Uptown San Antonio, Texas. The company is best known for commercial-grade room air conditioners, including window, through-the-wall, portable, and ductless split systems, as well as dehumidifiers and related filtration products. Its products serve residential customers, apartment properties, hospitality venues, light-commercial buildings, and specialized industrial environments. The business began in 1883 when Ed Friedrich established a manufacturing operation producing handcrafted furniture, billiard tables, store fixtures, cabinetry, and other goods. Over time, the company moved toward refrigeration and food-preservation equipment. Its early work focused first on improving the use of ice as a coolant and later on mechanical refrigeration. By 1950, Friedrich had become a substantial producer of commercial refrigeration equipment. The company entered room air conditioning in 1952, when it introduced its first window units. It is also associated with the introduction of an early refrigerated display case for food retailers. Friedrich developed a long-standing reputation for durable, relatively quiet, professional-grade room air conditioners. The QuietMaster family, produced from 1976 until 2010, was an important part of that identity. In 2010, the company replaced the long-running line with the Kühl family, which retained several established chassis configurations while adding updated industrial design, improved efficiency, and Wi-Fi functionality. Kühl and Kühl Q products have been offered in cooling-only and heating-and-cooling configurations, including versions using heat pumps or electric resistance heat. The company broadened its range in 2012 with the introduction of the Uni-Fit through-the-wall line and the Chill window line. These products were positioned below the professional-grade Kühl, Kühl Q, and WallMaster families. Later redesigns added features such as Wi-Fi control, selected electric-heating configurations, and QuietMaster technology. Chill was subsequently rebranded as Chill Premier. In 2023, Friedrich added inverter-based room air conditioners to the Chill Premier family and introduced its Library Quiet positioning, with the company describing some models as operating at sound levels as low as 42 dB. Friedrich also sells Floating Air ductless split systems, ZoneAire portable air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and FreshAire MERV 13 filters designed for compatible Kühl and Kühl Q units. Its Hazardgard products are specialized air conditioners for severe-duty settings, including facilities where hazardous materials, corrosive conditions, or unusually high and low temperatures may be present. The company’s manufacturing footprint changed substantially in the late 2000s. Its San Antonio production plant closed on November 16, 2007, ending domestic manufacturing of Friedrich products. Beginning in 2008, much of the production moved to Monterrey, Mexico, with the company citing high United States production costs and competition from lower-cost brands manufactured overseas. Engineering and warehousing remained in San Antonio. Friedrich’s ownership also changed several times: Corinthian Capital Group acquired the company in 2012, Monomoy Capital Partners acquired it in 2017, and Rheem Manufacturing Company purchased Friedrich in 2021. Friedrich remains an active brand within Rheem’s broader climate-control portfolio.
History
Friedrich’s origins date to 1883, when Ed Friedrich founded a manufacturing business in San Antonio. The early operation made handcrafted furniture, billiard tables, store fixtures, cabinetry, and other products. This background in fabrication and cabinetmaking later supported the company’s development of mechanical equipment and appliance enclosures. Friedrich eventually turned toward refrigeration and food preservation. Its early technical efforts included attempts to improve the effectiveness of ice as a coolant, followed by a transition to mechanical refrigeration. By 1950, the company had become a major producer of commercial refrigeration equipment. It also received recognition for introducing an early refrigerated display case for food retailers, reflecting its focus on practical commercial cooling applications. In 1952, Friedrich entered the air-conditioning market with its first window units. The company subsequently concentrated on room air conditioners and built a reputation around robust construction, quiet operation, and products suitable for demanding installations. Its product history included casement air conditioners, portable products, through-the-wall units, and the professional-grade QuietMaster family. QuietMaster was produced for nearly four decades, from 1976 through 2010, in standard, deluxe, programmable, heating-and-cooling, and heavy-duty variants. The range covered capacities from approximately 8,400 to 36,000 BTU. Friedrich introduced the Q-Star portable room-air-conditioner family in 1990. Related versions included K-Star, X-Star, and TwinTemp configurations. These products used a slide-out chassis and remained in production until 2012, when the Q chassis was superseded by the Kühl Q family. Friedrich also produced the Casement line from 1965 into the early 2000s and the Portable or Power Miser line from 1965 into the early 1990s. The company moved its headquarters to the Pan Am Expressway site on San Antonio’s Near East Side in 1971. Its San Antonio production plant closed on November 16, 2007. From 2008 onward, the bulk of production moved to Monterrey, Mexico. Friedrich attributed the change to rising United States production costs and competitive pressure from lower-cost brands using overseas manufacturing. Engineering and warehousing continued in San Antonio, preserving an important operational base there. In 2010, the headquarters moved again to an Uptown San Antonio building near the city’s airport. Product strategy shifted in 2010 with the launch of Kühl as the successor to QuietMaster. Kühl retained the S, M, and L chassis approach while introducing a new design, improved efficiency, and Wi-Fi capability. The L chassis was marketed for heavy-duty use. Heating-and-cooling versions used either heat-pump or electric-strip technology depending on capacity. Kühl Q followed in 2012 as a replacement for Q-Star, K-Star, X-Star, and TwinTemp products. Also in 2012, Friedrich introduced Uni-Fit through-the-wall units and Chill window units as more affordable alternatives to Kühl, Kühl Q, and WallMaster. These lines were initially manufactured by LG in China. Uni-Fit was redesigned in 2019 and Chill in 2021, after which TCL became the manufacturing partner. The updated products added features such as Wi-Fi, selected electric-heating options, and QuietMaster technology; Chill was renamed Chill Premier. In 2021, Rheem Manufacturing Company purchased Friedrich. The brand currently focuses on room air conditioners and specialty cooling products, including Kühl, Kühl Q, WallMaster, Chill Premier, Uni-Fit, Floating Air ductless systems, ZoneAire portable units, Hazardgard equipment, dehumidifiers, and FreshAire filters. In 2023, Friedrich introduced inverter room air conditioners within the Chill Premier family. In 2025, Kühl and Kühl Q received broader updates, including Precision Inverter technology, R32 refrigerant, Soft-Start functionality, revised capacity offerings, and new single-speed variants.
- 2025
Kühl and Kühl Q receive inverter-focused updates
[1]The lines receive Precision Inverter technology, R32 refrigerant, Soft-Start functionality, revised capacity coverage, and new single-speed variants.
- 2023
Friedrich introduces inverter room air conditioners
[1]The company adds inverter-based units to the Chill Premier family and promotes Library Quiet technology.
- 2021
Rheem acquires Friedrich
[1]Rheem Manufacturing Company purchases Friedrich Air Conditioning.
- 2012
Kühl Q, Uni-Fit, and Chill introduced
[1]Friedrich adds Kühl Q as a successor to earlier Q-chassis products and launches Uni-Fit and Chill as lower-cost room-air-conditioner families.
- 2010
Kühl replaces QuietMaster
[1]Friedrich introduces Kühl as its professional-grade successor to QuietMaster, adding updated design, efficiency improvements, and Wi-Fi capability.
- 1990
Q-Star introduced
[1]The company introduces the Q-Star portable room-air-conditioner family, later joined by K-Star, X-Star, and TwinTemp variants.
- 1976
QuietMaster production begins
[1]Friedrich launches the long-running QuietMaster family of professional-grade room air conditioners.
- 1971
Headquarters moves to the Pan Am Expressway
[1]The company relocates its headquarters to the Pan Am Expressway on San Antonio’s Near East Side.
- 1965
Casement and Portable product families begin
[1]Friedrich begins production of its Casement and Portable air-conditioner lines.
- 1952
Entry into window air conditioning
[1]Friedrich introduces its first window air-conditioning units.
Products and positioning
Professional-grade and specialty room cooling, emphasizing durability, quiet operation, installation flexibility, efficiency, connected controls, and solutions for demanding commercial or industrial environments.
Professional-grade room air conditioners · 2010
Kühl
Introduced in 2010 as the successor to QuietMaster, Kühl uses S, M, and L chassis configurations for window and related room-air-conditioning applications. The line emphasizes durability, efficiency, quiet operation, and connected control. Depending on the model, it offers cooling-only operation or heating and cooling through a heat pump or electric resistance heater. The L chassis is positioned for heavy-duty use.
Professional-grade through-the-wall air conditioners · 2012
Kühl Q
Kühl Q succeeded the earlier Q-Star, K-Star, X-Star, and TwinTemp products and retains a slide-out Q chassis. It combines professional-grade construction with updated controls and design. Later versions received inverter compressors, R32 refrigerant, Precision Inverter technology, and Soft-Start functionality. The range includes cooling and selected heating configurations.
Professional-grade room air conditioners · 1976
QuietMaster
QuietMaster was Friedrich’s principal professional-grade room-air-conditioner family from 1976 to 2010. It was offered in standard, deluxe, programmable, TwinTemp, and heavy-duty forms, with capacities ranging from approximately 8,400 to 36,000 BTU. The line was associated with quiet operation and durable construction before being replaced by Kühl.
Through-the-wall air conditioners · 1991
WallMaster
WallMaster is a professional-grade through-the-wall air-conditioner family introduced in 1991. It is commonly specified for apartment complexes and other properties requiring permanently installed room-cooling equipment.
Window air conditioners · 2012
Chill Premier
Chill Premier is Friedrich’s consumer-oriented window-air-conditioner family and the successor to the earlier Chill branding. The redesigned line added features such as Wi-Fi control, selected electric-heating options, and QuietMaster technology. In 2023, Friedrich added a separately designed inverter range under the Chill Premier name.
Through-the-wall air conditioners · 2012
Uni-Fit
Uni-Fit is an entry-level through-the-wall air-conditioner family introduced as a lower-cost alternative to Friedrich’s professional-grade lines. It was initially manufactured by LG in China and redesigned in 2019, after which TCL became the manufacturing partner. Updated models added selected connected and heating features.
Ductless split systems
Floating Air
Floating Air is Friedrich’s ductless split-system range. The products are offered in both single-zone and multi-zone configurations for applications where conventional window or through-the-wall equipment is unsuitable.
Portable air conditioners
ZoneAire
ZoneAire portable air conditioners combine cooling with dehumidification and, on selected versions, heating. Features include automatic-swing louvers, self-evaporating condensate systems, and dual-zone designs that Friedrich says can cool spaces faster than conventional portable systems.
Specialty severe-duty air conditioners
Hazardgard
Hazardgard units are designed for demanding environments such as manufacturing facilities, processing plants, and locations where hazardous materials may be present. The systems incorporate features intended for extreme temperatures, corrosion resistance, sealed controls, permanent-split capacitors, and heavy-duty compressor operation.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers
Friedrich produces standalone dehumidifiers in 35-pint and 50-pint configurations for moisture control in residential and light-commercial spaces.
Air filtration
FreshAire MERV 13 Filters
FreshAire MERV 13 filters are designed for compatible Kühl and Kühl Q air conditioners. Friedrich describes them as filtering particles down to approximately one micron, including dust, bacteria, and smog-related particles.
Brand decisions
2025
Update the Kühl and Kühl Q platformsGeneration changeBackground
Friedrich aligned its professional-grade lines with technology introduced elsewhere in its product portfolio.
Action taken
The company added Precision Inverter technology, R32 refrigerant, Soft-Start functionality, revised capacity coverage, and new single-speed variants.
Aftermath
The updated lines offered a mix of inverter and single-speed models, while several previous BTU sizes were removed and Kühl Q was narrowed to 8,000- and 10,000-BTU variants.
2023
Launch inverter room air conditionersProduct launchBackground
Friedrich expanded its room-air-conditioner technology beyond conventional fixed-speed products.
Action taken
The company introduced inverter room air conditioners as an addition to the Chill Premier family and promoted Library Quiet technology.
Aftermath
The new products broadened Friedrich’s energy-efficiency and low-noise offering in the consumer room-air-conditioner segment.
2012
Expand into entry-level room air conditionersProduct launchBackground
Friedrich sought products positioned below its Kühl, Kühl Q, and WallMaster professional-grade offerings.
Action taken
The company introduced Uni-Fit through-the-wall units and Chill window units.
Aftermath
The two lines served as more affordable alternatives and were later redesigned with connected controls and selected heating features.
2010
Replace QuietMaster with KühlGeneration changeBackground
After nearly four decades of QuietMaster production, Friedrich updated its professional-grade room-air-conditioner platform.
Action taken
Friedrich launched Kühl with revised styling, improved efficiency, Wi-Fi capability, and continued use of several established chassis sizes.
Aftermath
Kühl became the company’s principal professional-grade room-air-conditioner family, while QuietMaster was discontinued.
2007
Close the San Antonio manufacturing plantStrategyBackground
Friedrich faced higher United States manufacturing costs and competition from lower-cost brands using overseas production.
Action taken
The company closed its San Antonio production facility on November 16, 2007, ending domestic manufacturing of Friedrich products.
Aftermath
Most production moved to Monterrey, Mexico, while engineering and warehousing remained in San Antonio.
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