Ruud PROPH80 T0 RH120-M vs VAUGHN THERMAL ME80HPT: which uses less energy?

At the high draw pattern the VAUGHN THERMAL ME80HPT uses 1,426 kWh a year and the Ruud PROPH80 T0 RH120-M 1,434 — 8 kWh (1%) less, about 82 kWh over ten years. Both are filed as an electric tank, so the comparison holds. Enter your ZIP below to price the difference.

Side by side

Compared within one class only: models filed as an electric tank at the high draw pattern.

Filed and computed figures
Figure	Ruud PROPH80 T0 RH120-M	VAUGHN THERMAL ME80HPT
UEF (Uniform Energy Factor)	3.46	3.48 (better)
Energy use per year (kWh)	1,434	1,426 (better)
First hour rating (gal)	84	86
Rated storage volume (gal)	72	74
Installed cost range	$3,866–$4,365	$3,933–$4,404
ENERGY STAR certified	yes	yes
Sound level (dB)	not filed	54
Refrigerant	R-134a, GWP 1430	R-134a, GWP 1430
On the market since	2024-03-01	2023-09-01

DOE CCD · 2026-09-19

What it costs to run

Ruud PROPH80 T0 RH120-M — 1,434 kWh a year VAUGHN THERMAL ME80HPT — 1,426 kWh a year

VAUGHN THERMAL ME80HPT is 8 kWh a year lower than Ruud PROPH80 T0 RH120-M.

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.
Both are ENERGY STAR certified, which requires a manufacturer warranty of at least six years; the actual term for each model is not published.
Time on the market, as filed with ENERGY STAR: the Ruud PROPH80 T0 RH120-M since 2024-03-01, the VAUGHN THERMAL ME80HPT since 2023-09-01. A sale date, not a lifespan.

Which should you pick?

Pick the VAUGHN THERMAL ME80HPT if running cost matters most: it uses 8 kWh less a year on the same test.
Pick the Ruud PROPH80 T0 RH120-M if it is the one you can get installed sooner or for less — on the filed figures it has no advantage over the VAUGHN THERMAL ME80HPT.
Neither if your household's busiest hour needs more than 86 gallons of hot water — neither lists more. Check whether a 75-gallon heater is enough.

Each model on its own

Ruud PROPH80 T0 RH120-M

Its filed figures, class position and running cost on your ZIP.
VAUGHN THERMAL ME80HPT

Its filed figures, class position and running cost on your ZIP.