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50 Gallon GDHE-50 100,000 BTU Vertex 100 Power Direct Vent Residential Gas Water Heater - Tall (NG)

Brand:
AO Smith
SKU:
GDHE-50-NG
Rating:
(143)
Q&A:
(64)
50 Gallon GDHE-50 100,000 BTU Vertex 100 Power Direct Vent Residential Gas Water Heater - Tall (NG)
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GDHE-50-NG has been discontinued
Discontinued January 28, 2026
This product was discontinued by the manufacturer.
This item replaces: HYB-90N
Suggested Alternative:
50 Gallon HDHE-50 100,000 BTU Vertex Ultra-Low NOx Power Direct Vent Residential Gas Water Heater - Tall (NG)
Brand:
AO Smith
SKU:HDHE-50
(2)
VIEW ALTERNATIVE
VIEW ALTERNATIVE

Product Highlights

–
Product Highlight: Fuel Type
Natural Gas
Product Highlight: Vent Type
Power Vent, PVC
Product Highlight: Warranty
6 Year Tank/6 Year Parts Limited Warranty
Product Highlight: Capacity (Gallons)
49.8 Gallons
Product Highlight: Height (Inches)
66.75" Height
Product Highlight: Energy Star Rated
Yes

Description

–

Product Details:

  • Delivers 100-gallon first hour rating
  • Versatile ENERGY STAR certified power direct vent design delivers up to 0.88 Uniform Energy Factor (96% Thermal Efficiency)
  • Advanced high efficiency condensing design delivers energy savings & continuous hot water at a constant flow of over 4 gallons per minute
  • Helical coil internal heat exchanger lengthens heat transfer cycle and reduces lime & scale build-up to maintain high efficiency operation
  • Power direct vent design installs with 2" or 3" PVC, CPVC or polypropylene pipe terminating through outside wall
  • Top fired Ultra-Low NOX gas burner, meets or exceeds emission requirements in California & Utah
  • Push-button piezo ignitor makes lighting pilot fast & easy
  • Patented Blue Diamond glass tank lining protects against corrosion
  • 6-year limited tank and parts warranty
  • The Vertex 50-Gallon Ultra-Low NOx Power Direct Vent Natural Gas Water Heater is designed specifically to generate a constant flow of 4 gallons per minute, resulting in continuous hot water for your home. Featuring a 50-gallon (nominal) tank and a 100,000 BTU gas burner, the GDHE-50 Power Direct Vent delivers a thermal efficiency of 96%, a Uniform Energy Factor of 0.88, and a recovery rate of 129 gallons per hour. It carries a 6-year limited warranty, and meets Ultra-Low NOx emission requirements. Environmentally-friendly insulation and factory-installed heat trap nipples reduce heat loss for maximum energy savings. This ProLine water heater is designed with A. O. Smith's superior commercial-grade tank protection. Advanced tank features include stainless steel CoreGard anode rod, Blue Diamond glass lining and DynaClean automatic sediment-cleaning system, all designed to help protect the tank from the corrosive effects of water and extend the life of the water heater. A. O. Smith's ProLine water heaters are residential products built to commercial-grade standards and are only available for purchase through professional wholesalers and contractors.

Specs

–
Intended Household:

3-4 Person

Application:

Plumbing

Fuel Type:

Natural Gas

Capacity (Gallons):

49.8

BTU Input:

100000

Efficiency:

96%

Vent Type:

Power Vent

PVC

Vent Size:

2"

Water Connection:

3/4"

Gas Connection:

1/2"

ASME:

No

1st Hour Delivery (Gallons):

164

Recovery 90°F Rise:

129 GPH

Voltage:

120v

Max Pressure (PSI):

150

Max Altitude (Feet):

10100

Max Pressure:

14" W.C.

8" W.C. (Propane)

Energy Star Rated:

Yes

Depth (Inches):

22"

Height (Inches):

66.75"

Diameter (Inches):

22"

Weight (lbs):

255 lbs

Warranty:

6 Year Tank/6 Year Parts Limited

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Product Reviews

4.55 out of 143 reviews
90% would recommend this product
4.55
out of 143 Reviews
90% would recommend this product
WRITE A REVIEW
5 star
74%
4 star
16%
3 star
3%
2 star
4%
1 star
3%
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Customer Images

Most Liked Positive Review

So far I'm very impressed

I purchased this product to be used in a single family rental property. My main goal for making the purchase was to both eliminate Tenant complaints regarding a high propane bill while still having sufficient hot water to meet the Tenant's needs. This unit has accomplished both of these goals. I'm very pleased.
VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Great when new but internally leaked after only 3.5 yrs

Bought the water heater in 2011 for my new house and put it in service Dec 2012. First problem: Only two years later it started failing to ignite. The flame detector deep inside needed cleaning. To do this the burner must be removed. The factory did not lubricate the burner flange gasket which caused it to stick hard to the tank. We had to make a special pulling rig to get the burner off (read many dollars & time). The second problem was worse: In May 2016, it failed to ignite again so we assumed it was the flame detector again but after cleaning it, 4 days of trouble shooting, 2 trips by the gas company, and discussions with "experts", I determined that although there was no flow errors on the panel, there was an internal blockage preventing air flowing thru the combustion chamber. I could see water at the bottom on the combustion chamber where should be none. The combustion chamber feeds the hot gases through a pipe loop in the tank to heat the water. Part of this pipe loops back up and therefore will create a water seal if water leaks into the pipe from in the tank. With the burner removed, I used a shop vac on the air outlet at the tank and it sucked out over a quart of rusty water. We reinstalled the burner and it worked fine. But the internal leak will soon get bad enough to where the blower will not be able to clear the leaked water from the pipe loop. WARNING: We were lucky it did not blow up because the system does not detect an internal blocked air path and so after it fails to ignite, it sends more gas into the blower 3 times and after a little while repeats this over and over without ever being able to purge the gas due to the internal blockage. It did "backfire" once back thru the blower during trouble shooting. The heating loop should be made of a non-corroding material like stainless steel and the design changed to detect an internal blockage.
Showing 1-10 of 143 reviews

Great water heater

Just installed to replace prior AO Smith, similar model. Working great so far!
Steve
Boulder CO
6 months ago
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I already have. 2nd one.

In floor heating. First one lasted 7 years then started leaking. Price had almost doubled. I never received a manual with the first one and realized my mistake of not flushing and emptying for summer. I have a propane unit and its efficiency is wonderful compared to a plain household heater. In the years of the first one I never had anything go wrong, not even a fault code.
Wolfden
Minnesota
8 months ago
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I love this water heater!

It has a tank, but it works almost like a tankless water heater. I never run out of hot water, in a 5-bedroom, 3-bath household. Water heater can heat a cold tank from 40-ish degrees to 140 degrees (100-degree rise) in about 20-25 minutes. It will keep a tank of hot water usably hot for a day or two, even if the gas is off. No tankless heater can match that. Supply House got this water heater (and the other things I've ordered) to my house in a flash. I'd definitely order from them again!
Matt
Boise, ID
11 months ago
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Better Than an Instant Combi Unit!

It's nice to have a water heater capable of heating and providing domestic hot water. This is an all-in-one solution
Forest
Wisconsin
2 years ago
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Water Heater

First water heater was damaged but they sent out a second one right away. Delivery company was great!
Joel
Michigan
2 years ago
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my customers love these water heaters

I love the output of these water heaters. They seem to never run out of hot water. My customers love them. The last one I got had an issue out of the box and it didn't fire up. Customer service is awesome. They were going to send me the part next day, which actually means two days. other than that, and the shipper doesn't communicate well .
Roger
Cape Cod,Ma
3 years ago
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third tank

This is the third one I have purchased. Replace them every 6 years at end of warranty. First one had anode failure at end of 6 years. Second one had major deposits in elbow of vent discharge, plugging condensate drain. Found when we removed tank. Other than that, units have performed great, plenty of hot water.
Mike
Rapid City, SD
3 years ago
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Great water heater

works well, the touch screen makes it easy to change settings and see the status of things. Has enough power to keep up with my family of 4 along with dishwasher and laundry. The Vertex is also quieter than some other power vents. I'm on my second unit, the first one lasted 6 years and 2 months. My community has very hard water so water heaters don't last long.
Ben
Sioux Center, IA
4 years ago
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works great, but terrible igniter issue

I bought this water heater in 2013 to heat water for my home's domestic hot water and radiant hydronic heating, and it has worked incredibly well. It has also been incredibly expensive to keep it operating, and only for one reason- the igniter fails every six months, and at $100 per igniter + the cost of the plumber to replace it, it's cost me twice what I paid for the water heater to repair it. I've never had any other issues, but it does require some maintenance. They clean the condensate drain line, and the air intake and exhaust inlets each time the igniter is replaced, and have replaced the anode rod as well.
DL
Dillsburg, PA
4 years ago
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Buyer beware! Performs ok WHEN it works

I've been reluctant to post this review as I find most reviewsl online in genera are negative and none of the happy customers post when things work. However, I have to post because this is honestly one of the worst home "appliance" (is this considered an appliance?) I own. I purchased it new at the end of 2015 when I reno'd my newly purchased 3 year old home. I had high hopes for it to function dually as my main hot water tank and radiant heat in my basement. I've been plagued with nothing but problems. In order to keep this review short, here are my issues: Faulty board within first 3m that needed to be replaced rendering unit non-functional, 2017 - blocked tank that needed flushing as staying in interpurge more often then heating and had motherboard replaced again, 590 blocked exhausts faults, 300 ignition failures, random loss of power. I've had it serviced 2x in 2017, 3x in 2020 and 6x this year alone. It's barely 6 years old! This year had the temp probe replaced and flame rod replaced (big job). All in all, I've spent about $1500 over the last year getting this thing to work and I am still having the same issues! I have such regret buying this and recommend anyone looking at this to choose something else; our reliance on having hot water is the equivalent to having a working fridge, which is to say not something we want to gamble on.
JP
Vancouver, BC, Canada
4 years ago
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Product Q&A

64 Questions
64 Questions
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Q: In reviewing your installation instructions it states cold weather exhaust application. Can the combo intake exhaust Y be used in New york state or is the two seperate intake exhaust system required?

Asked by Greg 14 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

You should always check with local and municipal codes prior to installation, but a concentric vent setup is authorized in New York State to our knowledge.

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Q: Am I mistaken, or did I read somewhere that there are 2 anode rods? How often must they be replaced?

Asked by Butch 15 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

The manufacturer recommends checking the anode rod at least once a year after the warranty period expires. As far as we know, this unit includes just one anode rod.

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Q: We have a block air intake error. Technicians came out and got it running, then 12 hours later, we have the same error code flashing. Tech found condensation in plastic condensate tubing frozen. It is 0 degree here at night. I don't think he knew the root cause. How do I keep the intake air pipe from freezing? Both pipes are warm. Water Heater is less than 2 months old.

Asked by Ross 15 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

You may have to apply heat tape to the venting to keep the condensation from freezing.

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Q: Can this unit supply enough hot water to meet the needs of a shower system (e.g. rainfall showerhead & four body jets)?

Asked by 15 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

Possibly. It depends on the GPM demands of the system.

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Q: I would like to replace my old water heater and boiler for home heat with this unit. My old boiler has a cast iron boiler and the water in the radiators is black when I bleed them. I'm worried that any residue inside the radiators will end up in my brand new water heater. Is there a way to keep the potable and heating water separate while using this water heater for both uses?

Asked by Damon 15 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

You will need a heat exchanger to do this. We carry FlatPlate models on our site.

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Q: Do the vertex heaters require an expansion tank of the outlet?

Asked by DC 15 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

They do not, unless local code requires it.

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- John J

From my understanding; in order for the warranty to be in full force and effect, an expansion tank is necessary even if code does not require it. Just a bit more copper sweating and plumbing but not that much of an additional expense.

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Q: I am building a new house approximately 3547sf with primarily 4 adults residing. I was going to put in 2 - 50 gal water heaters. The water heaters were going to be 64 ft apart to provide water to 4 showers, whirlpool, dishwasher, washer. Will the gdhe 50 be able to handle the distance to the other side of the house? Should I think about installing a recirculating pump?

Asked by 15 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

We would recommend a recirculating pump to get hot water to the fixtures faster and to cut down on the amount of wasted water.

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Q: What is the electrical consumption (in watts) of this unit in use and on standby. I am looking for a 100kBTU unit that uses the least amount of power as I am off the grid - any recommendations would be welcome

Asked by 15 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

This unit uses 520 watts in full operation and about 22 watts in standby. These figures will vary slightly depending on the actual voltage coming in.

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Q: I started up the Vertex 100 and everything ran normal on first heat cycle. Then looking at fault history I saw to lines of Model config fail (18).What is this fault? The heater is functioning normally.

Asked by 15 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

We recommend that you select the fault and press 'View' to get specific information about it.

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Q: For a family of five, three teenagers, can the A.O. Smith Vertex 100 Power Direct Vent natural gas water heater replace two 12 year old, 50 gallon, 40,000 BTU water heaters with a capacity first hour rating of 79 gallons each? All showerheads are 2.5 GPM, sinks .5 GPM, dishwasher energy star KitchenAid, high efficiency clothes washer uses cold water.

Asked by Dale 15 years ago

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Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

This unit can produce 129 gallons of hot water an hour at a 90 °F temperature rise. It has a first hour rating of 164 gallons.

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