DoesTheMath

AMERICAN GDVT-50 3** vs GE GG50T**BXR01: which uses less energy?

At the high draw pattern the AMERICAN GDVT-50 3** uses 260 therms a year and the GE GG50T**BXR01 264 — 4 therms (2%) less, about 41 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 AMERICAN GDVT-50 3** GE GG50T**BXR01
UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) 0.65 (better) 0.64
Energy use per year (therms) 260 (better) 264
First hour rating (gal) 82 82
Rated storage volume (gal) 48 50
Installed cost range $1,849–$3,282 $1,820–$3,205
ENERGY STAR certified not matched not matched
DOE CCD · 2026-09-19

What it costs to run

AMERICAN GDVT-50 3**: 260 therms a year GE GG50T**BXR01: 264 therms a year

AMERICAN GDVT-50 3** — 260 therms a year GE GG50T**BXR01 — 264 therms a year

AMERICAN GDVT-50 3** is 4 therms a year lower than GE GG50T**BXR01.

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 AMERICAN GDVT-50 3** if running cost matters most: it uses 4 therms less a year on the same test.
  • Pick the GE GG50T**BXR01 if it is the one you can get installed sooner or for less — on the filed figures it has no advantage over the AMERICAN GDVT-50 3**.
  • Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 82 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 50-gallon heater is enough.

Each model on its own