Richmond PROG48-48U RH EC1 vs Ruud RHE50: which uses less energy?
At the high draw pattern the Ruud RHE50 uses 212 therms a year and the Richmond PROG48-48U RH EC1 264 — 53 therms (20%) less, about 529 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 | Richmond PROG48-48U RH EC1 | Ruud RHE50 |
|---|---|---|
| UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) | 0.64 | 0.8 (better) |
| Energy use per year (therms) | 264 | 212 (better) |
| First hour rating (gal) | 88 | 87 |
| Rated storage volume (gal) | 46 | 46 |
| Installed cost range NLR REMDB | $1,761–$3,058 | not published |
| 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 Ruud RHE50 if running cost matters most: it uses 53 therms less a year on the same test.
- Pick the Richmond PROG48-48U RH EC1 if you need more hot water in your busiest hour: it lists a first hour rating of 88 gallons against 87.
- Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 88 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 50-gallon heater is enough.
Each model on its own
- Richmond PROG48-48U RH EC1 264 therms a year
- Ruud RHE50 212 therms a year