Lochinvar GURT-50RL 4** vs Ruud PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3: 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 Ruud PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3 uses 192 therms a year and the Lochinvar GURT-50RL 4** 269 — 76 therms (28%) less, about 763 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 | Lochinvar GURT-50RL 4** | Ruud PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3 |
|---|---|---|
| UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) | 0.63 | 0.88 (better) |
| Energy use per year (therms) | 269 | 192 (better) |
| First hour rating (gal) | 92 | 95 |
| Rated storage volume (gal) | 49 | 50 |
| Installed cost range NLR REMDB | $1,747–$3,018 | not published |
| ENERGY STAR certified ENERGY STAR | not matched | yes |
| On the market since ENERGY STAR | not filed | 2023-10-23 |
| CPSC recall naming it CPSC | none on file | none on file |
DOE CCD · 2026-09-19 NLR REMDB · 2026-04-01 ENERGY STAR · 2026-09-19 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 Ruud PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3 if running cost matters most: it uses 76 therms less a year on the same test.
- Pick the Lochinvar GURT-50RL 4** if it is the one you can get installed sooner or for less — on the filed figures it has no advantage over the Ruud PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3.
- Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 95 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 50-gallon heater is enough.
Each model on its own
- Lochinvar GURT-50RL 4** 269 therms a year
- Ruud PROP G50-50* RH HE EC3 192 therms a year