DoesTheMath

AMERICAN EELBU-50 1** vs VAUGHN THERMAL MP45F: which uses less energy?

At the medium draw pattern the AMERICAN EELBU-50 1** and the VAUGHN THERMAL MP45F use the same energy, 3,531 kWh a year each, on the same federal test. Both are filed as an electric 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 an electric tank at the medium draw pattern.

Filed and computed figures
Figure AMERICAN EELBU-50 1** VAUGHN THERMAL MP45F
UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) 0.92 0.92
Energy use per year (kWh) 3,531 3,531
First hour rating (gal) 55 57
Rated storage volume (gal) 44 44
Installed cost range $1,707–$2,003 $1,707–$2,003
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 AMERICAN EELBU-50 1** if its price or availability suits you — on energy the two are level.
  • Pick the VAUGHN THERMAL MP45F if you need more hot water in your busiest hour: it lists a first hour rating of 57 gallons against 55.
  • Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 57 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 40-gallon heater is enough.

Each model on its own