DoesTheMath

GSW WATER HEATERS GPVL-40 2** vs RELIANCE WATER HEATERS GPDL-40 3**: which uses less energy?

At the medium draw pattern the RELIANCE WATER HEATERS GPDL-40 3** uses 163 therms a year and the GSW WATER HEATERS 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.

Filed and computed figures
GSW WATER HEATERS GPVL-40 2** RELIANCE WATER HEATERS GPDL-40 3**
UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) 0.67 0.68 (better)
Energy use per year (therms) 165 163 (better)
First hour rating (gal) 73 74
Rated storage volume (gal) 38 38
Installed cost range $1,818–$3,214 $1,877–$3,364
ENERGY STAR certified not matched not matched
DOE CCD · 2026-09-19

What it costs to run

GSW WATER HEATERS GPVL-40 2**: 165 therms a year RELIANCE WATER HEATERS GPDL-40 3**: 163 therms a year

GSW WATER HEATERS GPVL-40 2** — 165 therms a year RELIANCE WATER HEATERS GPDL-40 3** — 163 therms a year

RELIANCE WATER HEATERS GPDL-40 3** is 2 therms a year lower than GSW WATER HEATERS GPVL-40 2**.

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 RELIANCE WATER HEATERS GPDL-40 3** if running cost matters most: it uses 2 therms less a year on the same test.
  • Pick the GSW WATER HEATERS 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 RELIANCE WATER HEATERS 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

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