DoesTheMath

A. O. SMITH GURT-50RL 4** vs BRADFORD WHITE RG2DV50H*N-***: which uses less energy?

At the high draw pattern the BRADFORD WHITE RG2DV50H*N-*** uses 264 therms a year and the A. O. SMITH GURT-50RL 4** 269 — 4 therms (2%) less, about 42 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
Figure A. O. SMITH GURT-50RL 4** BRADFORD WHITE RG2DV50H*N-***
UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) 0.63 0.64 (better)
Energy use per year (therms) 269 264 (better)
First hour rating (gal) 92 96
Rated storage volume (gal) 49 46
Installed cost range $1,747–$3,018 $1,761–$3,058
ENERGY STAR certified not matched not matched
DOE CCD · 2026-09-19

What it costs to run

A. O. SMITH GURT-50RL 4**: 269 therms a year BRADFORD WHITE RG2DV50H*N-***: 264 therms a year

A. O. SMITH GURT-50RL 4** — 269 therms a year BRADFORD WHITE RG2DV50H*N-*** — 264 therms a year

BRADFORD WHITE RG2DV50H*N-*** is 5 therms a year lower than A. O. SMITH GURT-50RL 4**.

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 BRADFORD WHITE RG2DV50H*N-*** if running cost matters most: it uses 4 therms less a year on the same test.
  • Pick the A. O. SMITH GURT-50RL 4** if it is the one you can get installed sooner or for less — on the filed figures it has no advantage over the BRADFORD WHITE RG2DV50H*N-***.
  • Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 96 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 50-gallon heater is enough.

Each model on its own