DoesTheMath

A. O. SMITH GCRX-50 2** vs Richmond PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3: which uses less energy?

At the high draw pattern the Richmond PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3 uses 192 therms a year and the A. O. SMITH GCRX-50 2** 277 — 85 therms (31%) less, about 851 therms over ten years. Both are filed as a gas tank, so the comparison holds. Enter your ZIP below to price the difference.

Side by side

Compared within one class only: models filed as a gas tank at the high draw pattern.

Filed and computed figures
A. O. SMITH GCRX-50 2** Richmond PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3
UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) 0.61 0.88 (better)
Energy use per year (therms) 277 192 (better)
First hour rating (gal) 99 95
Rated storage volume (gal) 49 50
Installed cost range $1,630–$2,717 not published
ENERGY STAR certified not matched yes
On the market since not filed 2022-11-14
DOE CCD · 2026-09-19

What it costs to run

A. O. SMITH GCRX-50 2**: 277 therms a year Richmond PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3: 192 therms a year

A. O. SMITH GCRX-50 2** — 277 therms a year Richmond PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3 — 192 therms a year

Richmond PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3 is 85 therms a year lower than A. O. SMITH GCRX-50 2**.

DOE CCD · 2026-09-19

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Reliability

Not published: Reliability, failure rates and each model’s actual warranty term.

The registries these figures come from certify energy performance under a federal test; none of them records how long a unit lasts or how often it fails, so this page does not rank the two on reliability.

What is here instead:

  • The filed efficiency, capacity and tank size of both models, side by side below.
  • The actual warranty term is printed in each model’s documentation, not in any registry.

Which should you pick?

  • Pick the Richmond PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3 if running cost matters most: it uses 85 therms less a year on the same test.
  • Pick the A. O. SMITH GCRX-50 2** if you need more hot water in your busiest hour: it lists a first hour rating of 99 gallons against 95.
  • Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 99 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 50-gallon heater is enough.

Each model on its own

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