A. O. Smith GDHE-50 3 50-Gallon
A. O. Smith GDHE-50 3 50-Gallon is a gas storage water heater from A. O. Smith with a 49 gallon rated tank and a 100 gallon first-hour rating at a 0.88 UEF.
| Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) | 0.88 |
|---|---|
| Annual gas use (natural gas) | 192 therms/yr |
| Recovery efficiency | 95 % |
| Annual propane use | 209.83 gal/yr |
| Fuel | Natural Gas, Propane |
|---|
| First-hour rating | 100 gal |
|---|---|
| Rated storage volume | 49 gal |
| Draw pattern | High |
| Gas input rate | 100 kBTU/h |
|---|
| Max current draw | 5 A |
|---|---|
| Vent type | Power Direct Vent |
| Vent size | 2 / 3 |
| Smart / connected capable | No |
|---|
| Height | 55.7 in |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 18 in |
| ENERGY STAR certified | Yes |
|---|
Capacity and running cost
- Its 100 gallon first-hour rating suits a household of 5+ people under DOE sizing guidance.
- Rated for a high-usage draw pattern under the DOE test procedure.
- Estimated running cost: about $278/year at national average gas rates.
Similar water heaters
- A. O. Smith GPHE-50 1 50-Gallon (UEF 0.88)
- A. O. Smith HDHE-50 4 50-Gallon (UEF 0.88)
- American VG6250T100-V 3 50-Gallon (UEF 0.88)
- American VG6250T76NV 1 50-Gallon (UEF 0.88)
- American VG8250T100-V 50-Gallon (UEF 0.88)
- Friedrich 12PROG 50-50P FD HE EC3 50-Gallon (UEF 0.88)
Frequently asked questions
Is the A. O. Smith GDHE-50 3 50-Gallon ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes, the A. O. Smith GDHE-50 3 50-Gallon holds a current ENERGY STAR certification for water heating efficiency (UEF 0.88).
How much does the A. O. Smith GDHE-50 3 50-Gallon cost to run per year?
About $278 per year at national average energy rates, based on its certified annual energy use under the DOE test draw pattern. Your rate and usage change this figure.
What venting does the A. O. Smith GDHE-50 3 50-Gallon use?
The A. O. Smith GDHE-50 3 50-Gallon uses Power Direct Vent venting with 2 / 3 in vent connections. Matching the existing vent type is usually the cheapest replacement path.
Is the A. O. Smith GDHE-50 3 50-Gallon a smart water heater?
No, the A. O. Smith GDHE-50 3 50-Gallon is not connected-capable — it has no app connectivity or demand-response support.
Sources
- data.energystar.gov (retrieved 2026-07-17)