Apply to be a TradeMaster!
Main product image of 50 Gallon GPHE-50 76,000 BTU Vertex Power-Vent Residential Gas Water Heater - Tall (NG)
Magnifying glass
Hover image to zoom

50 Gallon GPHE-50 76,000 BTU Vertex Power-Vent Residential Gas Water Heater - Tall (NG)

Brand:
AO Smith
SKU:
GPHE-50
Rating:
(46)
Q&A:
(34)
50 Gallon GPHE-50 76,000 BTU Vertex Power-Vent Residential Gas Water Heater - Tall (NG)
Magnifying glass
Hover image to zoom
$3,712.88 each
In Stock
In Stock
Get 2 Tue, Aug 18 - Thu, Aug 20

Lift Gate

This product weighs 225 lbs. and may require the use of a lift gate. If you do require a lift gate at your delivery, you'll have the option to add this FREE of charge when you checkout.
Free Shipping This item ships free
Easy Returns No restocking fee for 90 days

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)
48 Gallons
Product Highlight: Height (Inches)
70.625" Height
Product Highlight: Energy Star Rated
No

Description

Product Details

  • Delivers 124-gallon first hour rating
  • 76,000 BTU input power vent design delivers up to 0.88 Uniform Energy Factor
  • Advanced high efficiency condensing design delivers energy savings & continuous hot water at a constant flow of over 3 gallons per minute
  • Helical coil internal heat exchanger lengthens heat transfer cycle and reduces lime & scale build-up to maintain high efficiency operation
  • Power vent design installs with 2", 3" or 4" PVC, CPVC or polypropylene pipe terminating through outside wall
  • Patented eco-friendly Green Choice Gas Burner design reduces NOx emissions by up to 33% and complies with Low-NOx emission requirements
  • Patented Blue Diamond glass tank lining protects against corrosion
  • DynaClean automatic cleaning system protects against sediment build-up
  • 6-year limited tank and parts warranty
  • The ProLine Vertex 50-Gallon Low NOx Power 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 76,000 BTU gas burner, the GPHE-50 Power Vent delivers a thermal efficiency of 94%, a Uniform Energy Factor of 0.88, and a recovery rate of 95 gallons per hour. It carries a 6-year limited warranty, and meets Low NOx emission requirements. Environmentally-friendly insulation and factory-installed heat trap nipples reduce heat loss for maximum energy savings. This ProLine XE 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):

48

BTU Input:

76000

Efficiency:

90%

Vent Type:

Power Vent

PVC

Vent Size:

2"

Water Connection:

3/4"

ASME:

No

Energy Star Rated:

No

1st Hour Delivery (Gallons):

127

Recovery 90°F Rise:

92 GPH

Voltage:

120v

Max Pressure (PSI):

150

Max Altitude (Feet):

5300

Diameter (Inches):

22"

Depth (Inches):

27"

Height (Inches):

70.625"

Weight (lbs):

210 lbs

Warranty:

6 Year Tank/6 Year Parts Limited

Contact

Help Face
CALL US
Question? Call or text 888-757-4774
+
Help Face

Questions?

Speak with a real person who will go out of the way to help!
Call or text 888-757-4774
MondayThursday
8am7:45pm
Friday
9am7:45pm
SaturdaySunday
9am5:45pm

Response by Tue

You May Also Need

Water & Gas Safety Shut-Off Valve
SKU: WAGS7200-5WG
Aquaguard

Product Reviews

4.33 out of 46 reviews
84% would recommend this product
4.33
out of 46 Reviews
84% would recommend this product
WRITE A REVIEW
5 star
72%
4 star
13%
3 star
2%
2 star
2%
1 star
11%
WRITE A REVIEW
Customer Images

Most Liked Positive Review

Complicated Retrofit - Great Product

I converted two 40 gallon traditional water heaters into one 50 gallon Vertex for my home. I personally had a complicated installation because i had to reroute copper cold supply and hot return lines in the wall, reroute existing AC condensation line, add an electrical outlet, new drywall, new copper outside the wall for connection, reroute home electrical ground to cold pipe, reroute new exhaust into existing roof vent, and add overflow drain to garage floor. My installation was not DIY friendly but my existing situation was not desirable either. Once complete it seems to work very well and I haven't ran out of hot water yet. One bonus was this unit came with the exhaust Vent Attenuation Assembly Kit (vent muffler basically). I didn't see this item mentioned anywhere on the website but i'm glad it came with one. The unit is behind our living room wall and I can hear when the blower turns on. The noise is a small hum but nothing i have to turn up TV over. Time will tell if this unit lasts but so far so good. Quick note for connection sizes/types not listed: 1) Cold Supply Inlet: 3/4" Male NPT, comes with nipple installed 2) Hot Return Outlet: 3/4" Male NPT, comes with nipple installed 3) TPR Valve: 3/4" Female NPT 4) Condensate Drain: 1/2" Female PVC Slip 5) Gas Supply Inlet: 1/2" NPT 6) Vent and Muffler: 2" PVC Connection
VS

Most Liked Negative Review

Unit making popping noises

We are a large family of 7 and purchased this unit because of it's efficiency and rapid heating ability. We have been extremely happy with it's heating performance and have not run out of hot water yet. There is one issue though that causes me to downgrade the product. Around 13 months after installation, the unit started making loud popping noises. Our plumber said that it was due to sediment and to drain the tank. We followed the instruction manual and drained the tank, which took care of the problem for about 5 months. The popping sound has returned, but draining the tank does not correct the problem. When we called AO Smith, they sent us a new blower, but that did not correct the problem. AO Smith then scheduled a service call (which was supposed to be $60 and ended up costing us $147). The technician said the same thing, "you have sediment in the tank and it needs to be drained." We had just drained the tank twice and it did not correct the problem. So he drained it again, and it did not correct the problem. The technician also tested the water and the hardness was "normal" (so no extra-ordinary sediment should be in the tank). At this point, we are filing a claim with the warrantly department to get a new tank. This tank is only 20 months old. The verdict is still out on whether or not I would recommend this product. At this point, it depends on how well their warranty dept. fixes this problem.
Showing 1-10 of 46 reviews

Water Heater shipment

Yes. I was surprised that the shipping company brought a damaged unit to my home. I had to send it back and supplyhouse sent another unit in a reasonable amount of time all worked out fine in the end. The unit was clearly damaged by a forklift, not subtle.
Joe
New England
7 years ago
Verified Buyer Icon
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful to you?

AO Smith Vertex

I purchased the AO Smith Vertex water heater to heat my garage floor. This unit replaces an old water heater that was not very efficient. So far, this unit stays on approximately half as long as the old unit. It is very quiet and is rated at 90%efficient. I'm looking forward to substantially lower gas bills this winter. I highly recommend the Vertex heater and Supply House was excellent to work with.
Scott
Eldridge, Iowa
8 years ago
Verified Buyer Icon
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful to you?

Best residential water heater on the market of any type IMO

This water heater is simply amazing. We never run out of hot water regardless of what we're doing. It's efficient and it has great insulation to avoid standby loss. We had it installed in a metal drip tray and below the tray a half inch closed cell foam board to stop heat transfer into the cement slab. We have our water treated with a water softener which is important for the life of a water heater and we have the electrical plug of this water heater plugged into a battery backup/surge suppressor to avoid damage to the electrical components of this water heater if the electricity has issues. It's quiet while it's heating up water with just a little sound from the forced exhaust fan. The first time we turned it on it only took about 15 minutes to fully heat up from being completely cold.
Tony
Utah County, Utah
10 years ago
Verified Buyer Icon
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful to you?

I would buy this item again

I bought this water heater and love it, I would've gave 5 stars, but shipping destroyed one of my heaters and had to wait again for new shipping. However, Supply House got right on it and had a new item sent right away to minimize the wait!
A
Madison, Wi
10 years ago
Verified Buyer Icon
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful to you?

great water heater

High efficiency, easy to install and operate, plenty of hot water, and a great price.
Mike the handyman
Chicago, IL
11 years ago
Verified Buyer Icon
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful to you?

Complicated Retrofit - Great Product

I converted two 40 gallon traditional water heaters into one 50 gallon Vertex for my home. I personally had a complicated installation because i had to reroute copper cold supply and hot return lines in the wall, reroute existing AC condensation line, add an electrical outlet, new drywall, new copper outside the wall for connection, reroute home electrical ground to cold pipe, reroute new exhaust into existing roof vent, and add overflow drain to garage floor. My installation was not DIY friendly but my existing situation was not desirable either. Once complete it seems to work very well and I haven't ran out of hot water yet. One bonus was this unit came with the exhaust Vent Attenuation Assembly Kit (vent muffler basically). I didn't see this item mentioned anywhere on the website but i'm glad it came with one. The unit is behind our living room wall and I can hear when the blower turns on. The noise is a small hum but nothing i have to turn up TV over. Time will tell if this unit lasts but so far so good. Quick note for connection sizes/types not listed: 1) Cold Supply Inlet: 3/4" Male NPT, comes with nipple installed 2) Hot Return Outlet: 3/4" Male NPT, comes with nipple installed 3) TPR Valve: 3/4" Female NPT 4) Condensate Drain: 1/2" Female PVC Slip 5) Gas Supply Inlet: 1/2" NPT 6) Vent and Muffler: 2" PVC Connection
James
Arlington, TX
11 years ago
Verified Buyer Icon
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful to you?

Not impressed

Unit was shipped promptly and arrived in perfect condition. It died 5 days after instillation. AO Smiths technical support was helpful in figuring out that the blower had gone bad, and said they'ed send me a replacement blower, but I had to pay the shipping. I'm not happy having to pay to get replacement parts for a brand new defective water heater. I'll be buying another brand from now on.
Contractor Rick
Bay area, CA
11 years ago
Verified Buyer Icon
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful to you?

Great Heater, plenty of hot water

Good instructions, easy start-up, super efficient. Quiet operation using the included attenuator.
Bobr
Harrisburg, PA
11 years ago
Verified Buyer Icon
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful to you?

Extremely Efficient

Used for residential hot-water only. Easy to install. Very Efficient and fast recharge time. Condensate return line is a must, taking a shower will cause a good amount of water to drain from system. Is quieter than previous power vent model.
KJP
Somerset, NJ
11 years ago
Verified Buyer Icon
Verified Buyer
Was this review helpful to you?

Popping and Clanking

I installed an AO Smith GPHE 50 100 Vertex unit in our home 3 years ago. Over the past year it has become a real noise maker----clanking and popping every time it fires-up. I regularly flush the system with no resultant reduction in the popping and clanking. We get our water from Lake Michigan via our village--nothing unusual about our water. It really sounds as if some of the internals are loose. The sound just rattles through the house and is very annoying. It is one thing to get used to the jet engine blower sound, but the rattle and popping is unacceptable.
Wild Frank
Wilmette, IL
12 years ago
Was this review helpful to you?

Product Q&A

34 Questions
34 Questions
ASK A QUESTION

Q: I notice that there is no mention of the DynaClean sediment cleaning system, Blue Diamond coating nor CoreGard on the Vertex models. For what seems to be a premium model, those seem like glaring omissions. Is it really lacking all of those features? My old Rheem power vent model even has a sediment fighting feature.

Asked by 15 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

This model does include a DynaClean dip tube, but has no Blue Diamond coating. CoreGard is just a trade name for the anode rod in an A.O. Smith residential heater. The GPHE comes with 2 aluminum or magnesium rods depending on how it is ordered.

Was this review helpful to you?

Q: Yikes, my 10-year old AO Smith FPSH 50-260 has started to leak. I would like to go with a more effecient unit such as a Vertex, but most important in my selection criteria is ease of installation as I am not a plumber. What might you recommend that most closely matches my existing FPSH connectivity footprint? Thanks!

Asked by Get er done, Doug 15 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

You can use this unit, but the direct crossover would be the GPVH-50.

Was this review helpful to you?
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

If you are looking for the most energy efficient model, you should consider the GPHE-50 (which has a thermal efficiency rating of 90%). Its BTU input is higher and it's a taller unit.

Was this review helpful to you?

Q: Can the exhaust tie into an existing metal vent that is co-located with the forced-air furnace? BTW our home is at 6000' above sea level.

Asked by 16 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

No, you cannot tie the venting together.

Was this review helpful to you?

Q: Is the gas line 3/4" OR 1/2" for this unit? Someone comments about 3/4" being used and I thought the vertex units were 1/2".

Asked by someguy 16 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

The Vertex is supplied by a 1/2" gas line, using a standard White Rogers Intellivent GCV.

Was this review helpful to you?

Q: Can the orifice on the burner be switched to enable this unit to burn LP?

Asked by Rancher 16 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

No, it cannot.

Was this review helpful to you?

Q: What kind of heat load can the circulating taps support for radiant heat? Is there an internal heat exchanger for the taps, or are they directly connected to the hot water in the tank?

Asked by Stephen 16 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

The Vertex can handle 3 gallons per minute at a 40 degree rise. It does not have an internal heat exchanger.

Was this review helpful to you?

Q: Does the condensate need to be treated, or can it just run into a french drain filled with marble chips?

Asked by Barlow 16 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

You can run it to the drain as long as there are marble chips to neutralize the condensate water.

Was this review helpful to you?

Q: NG only or is this available in LP ?

Asked by 16 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

This unit is only available in natural gas.

Was this review helpful to you?

Q: Are any other parts or accessories required to purchase to install the Vertex GWH to replace a typical 40 gallon Rheem water heater?

Asked by Jeff 16 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

Just the venting material (PVC) is required.

Was this review helpful to you?
- Spartan

I went from 50 gallon electric to gas. You will need venting pipe (2 to 4" dependent on length of run and number of elbows). You will also need to run gas line with shut off valve to heater. Unit comes with good instructions, I used stainless steel flex pipe for water connections. The owners/installation manual is available online so you may want to check local requirements for venting and make sure you have that on hand. Pex did a nice job with transaction and delivery.

Was this review helpful to you?

Q: installed a GPHE- 50 at 6500 ft elevation. The manual says that a standard unit will work fine up to 5300 ft with no alteration. It also says that a high altitude model can be purchased for elevations from 5300 to 10000 ft. The unit was purchased by the home owner.He did not discuss his elevation when ordering the unit so a standard model is installed. I'm having trouble keeping it running. What is different about the high altitude model that makes it rated for 6500 to 10000 ft? Is it derated? Is my air to fuel mixture off? A.O Smith tech support could not tell me what the difference is. Need some help! thanks

Asked by 16 years ago

Add your answer

* Required Field
Verified Author and ReplyVerified Reply- PexSupply Staff

You will need to replace the pressure switch on this unit to have it function correctly. The part you need is 9006954005.

Was this review helpful to you?
Free Shipping
On orders over $99
We offer flexible shipping and scheduling options, up-to-date delivery estimates, and free ground shipping on any order over $99 to make sure your order gets to you on-time, for less.
Shipping Policy
Easy Returns
Returning items is as simple as 1-2-3
Ordered the wrong product? Item damaged in transit? Our 3-step process makes returning products easy – even up to a year after purchase – with no restocking fees on returns made within 90 days.
Return Policy