DoesTheMath

A. O. SMITH GPDX-50L 3** vs A. O. SMITH GPVX-50L 2**: which uses less energy?

At the high draw pattern the A. O. SMITH GPDX-50L 3** and the A. O. SMITH GPVX-50L 2** use the same energy, 232 therms a year each, on the same federal test. Both are filed as a gas tank, so the comparison holds; what separates them is below. Enter your ZIP to price either one on your own rate.


Side by side

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

Filed and computed figures
Figure A. O. SMITH GPDX-50L 3** A. O. SMITH GPVX-50L 2**
UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) 0.73 0.73
Energy use per year (therms) 232 232
First hour rating (gal) 118 119
Rated storage volume (gal) 48 50
Installed cost range $2,316–$4,484 $2,345–$4,557
ENERGY STAR certified not matched not matched
DOE CCD · 2026-09-19

What it costs to run

Enter your ZIP to price both units on the same rate where you live.


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 A. O. SMITH GPDX-50L 3** if its price or availability suits you — on energy the two are level.
  • Pick the A. O. SMITH GPVX-50L 2** if you need more hot water in your busiest hour: it lists a first hour rating of 119 gallons against 118.
  • Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 119 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 50-gallon heater is enough.

Each model on its own