American GPDL-40 3** vs Lochinvar GPVL-40 2**: which uses less energy?
An asterisk in a model number stands for any character: one filing covers several variants.
At the medium draw pattern the American GPDL-40 3** uses 163 therms a year and the Lochinvar GPVL-40 2** 165 — 2 therms (1%) less, about 24 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 medium draw pattern.
| Figure | American GPDL-40 3** | Lochinvar GPVL-40 2** |
|---|---|---|
| UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) | 0.68 (better) | 0.67 |
| Energy use per year (therms) | 163 (better) | 165 |
| First hour rating (gal) | 74 | 73 |
| Rated storage volume (gal) | 38 | 38 |
| Installed cost range NLR REMDB | $1,877–$3,364 | $1,818–$3,214 |
| CPSC recall naming it CPSC | none on file | none on file |
DOE CCD · 2026-09-19 NLR REMDB · 2026-04-01 CPSC · 2026-09-24
What it costs to run
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 above.
- No CPSC recall on file names either model (list checked 2026-09-24).
- The actual warranty term is printed in each model’s documentation, not in any registry.
Which should you pick?
- Pick the American GPDL-40 3** if running cost matters most: it uses 2 therms less a year on the same test.
- Pick the Lochinvar GPVL-40 2** if it is the one you can get installed sooner or for less — on the filed figures it has no advantage over the American GPDL-40 3**.
- Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 74 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 40-gallon heater is enough.
Each model on its own
- American GPDL-40 3** 163 therms a year
- Lochinvar GPVL-40 2** 165 therms a year