Propane Water Heaters: Which One to Buy

By Erin Rose · Updated

For a standard propane tank swap, buy the A. O. Smith GCR-40LP 40-gallon ($1,151.49 on Amazon): UEF 0.64, first-hour rating 80 gallons, about $598 a year in propane. To burn less propane, the tankless option below is certified at UEF 0.82.

A. O. Smith GCR-40LP 40-gallon

Our pick: propane tank

A. O. Smith GCR-40LP 40-gallon

$1,151.49 on Amazon

Check price on Amazon
  • UEF 0.64 and a first-hour rating of 80 gallons (AHRI, DOE test).
  • About $598 a year to run at U.S. average propane prices.
  • Built for propane (LP). A natural gas model cannot burn propane without the maker's conversion.

Need something different?

  • No tank: propane tankless

    Rheem RTG-70XLP-3 (outdoor)

    4 GPM certified at a 67°F rise, UEF 0.82. Outdoor mount, no vent kit. Needs power in winter for freeze protection.

    $804 on Amazon

What size do you need?

Size on the first-hour rating on the EnergyGuide label: how much hot water the heater delivers in your busiest hour. The U.S. Department of Energy says to match it to your peak-hour use.

Tank or tankless on propane?

A tank keeps water hot all day, so it loses some heat standing by. A tankless unit heats only when you run the tap, and the certified ones here rate a higher UEF. Tankless needs a bigger gas supply and, indoors, its own vent. On propane, every point of UEF saves more money than on natural gas. More on tankless gas water heaters.

Questions buyers ask

How much does it cost to run a propane water heater?
About $598 a year for our pick at U.S. average propane prices, computed from its certified rating. The same tank on natural gas costs less, because propane costs more per unit of heat.
Can I use a natural gas water heater with propane?
Only with the maker's conversion kit, if it offers one, fitted by a qualified installer. Buy a model built for propane (LP).
Can I install a propane water heater myself?
Use a licensed plumber or gas fitter. Gas lines and venting must meet code, and most places require a permit.

Every certified propane water heater (tank) (537)

The units below are certified propane storage water heaters, most sold through plumbers. If you are quoted one, find it here to check its UEF and yearly cost. The table shows the 20 with the highest UEF; the full product list has all 537.

Brand & model UEF Capacity FuelAnnual cost Buy
Envirosense ENV-50P 1 0.90 50 gal Propane $426 installer
Envirosense ENV-40P 1 0.90 40 gal Propane $426 installer
RICHMOND 9GUH40-50FP 0.90 40 gal Propane $426 installer
RHEEM XP40T09UHC50U0 0.90 40 gal Propane $426 installer
RHEEM PRO+G40-50P RH HE EC1 0.90 40 gal Propane $426 installer
RHEEM XP40S12UHC50 0.90 40 gal Propane $426 installer
FRIEDRICH 12PROG 50-100P FD HE EC3 0.89 50 gal Propane $430 installer
FRIEDRICH 12PROG 50-76P FD HE EC3 0.89 50 gal Propane $430 installer
RICHMOND 6CG50-76P CR HE 0.89 50 gal Propane $430 installer
RUUD PROU G50-76P CD HE 0.89 50 gal Propane $430 installer
RHEEM PROP G50-76P CN HE 0.89 50 gal Propane $430 installer
RHEEM XP50T12UHC100U0 0.89 50 gal Propane $430 installer
RHEEM XP50T12UHC76U0 0.89 50 gal Propane $430 installer
FRIEDRICH 12PROG 75-100P FD HE EC3 0.88 75 gal Propane $435 installer
RICHMOND 12GUH75-100FP 0.88 75 gal Propane $435 installer
RHEEM XP75T12UHC100U0 0.88 75 gal Propane $435 installer
RHEEM PROPG75-100P RH HE EC3 0.88 75 gal Propane $435 installer
RHEEM XP50T09UHN50U0 0.88 50 gal Propane $435 installer
RHEEM PRO+G50-50P RH HE EC1 0.88 50 gal Propane $435 installer
RICHMOND 9GUH50-50FP 0.88 50 gal Propane $435 installer

UEF and capacity are certified values from AHRI / ENERGY STAR / DOE CCMS; yearly running cost is computed by us from national energy prices; see methodology.