American Standard GSN50T1-3-* vs Rheem RHE50: which uses less energy?
An asterisk in a model number stands for any character: one filing covers several variants.
At the high draw pattern the Rheem RHE50 uses 212 therms a year and the American Standard GSN50T1-3-* 260 — 49 therms (19%) less, about 488 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.
| Figure | American Standard GSN50T1-3-* | Rheem RHE50 |
|---|---|---|
| UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) | 0.65 | 0.8 (better) |
| Energy use per year (therms) | 260 | 212 (better) |
| First hour rating (gal) | 86 | 87 |
| Rated storage volume (gal) | 47 | 46 |
| Installed cost range NLR REMDB | $1,834–$3,245 | not published |
| CPSC recall naming it CPSC | recall 16171 | none on file (better) |
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.
- The American Standard GSN50T1-3-* is named in CPSC recall 16171; see the recall page for which units and the remedy.
- The actual warranty term is printed in each model’s documentation, not in any registry.
Which should you pick?
- Pick the Rheem RHE50 if running cost matters most: it uses 49 therms less a year on the same test.
- Pick the American Standard GSN50T1-3-* if it is the one you can get installed sooner or for less — on the filed figures it has no advantage over the Rheem RHE50.
- Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 87 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 50-gallon heater is enough.
Each model on its own
- American Standard GSN50T1-3-* 260 therms a year
- Rheem RHE50 212 therms a year