Rheem Performance Power Vent 50-Gallon Gas Water Heater

The Rheem Performance Power Vent 50-Gallon Gas Water Heater (XG50T06PV42U0) is the 50-gallon closet-install gas tank — same power-vent platform as the 40G Power Vent, sized for 3–4 person households. PVC venting up to 60 ft, 87 GPH first-hour delivery, 6-year warranty.

Headline specifications

• Model: XG50T06PV42U0
• Capacity: 50 gallons
• Fuel: Natural gas, power vent
• BTU input: 42,000 BTU/h
• First Hour Delivery: 87 GPH
• Recovery: 42 GPH at 90°F rise
• UEF: 0.67
• Warranty: 6-year tank and parts
• Dimensions: 60" H × 22" diameter
• Venting: 3" PVC/CPVC up to 60 ft
• Electrical: 120V outlet required

Who this model is for

3–4 person households on natural gas without atmospheric chimney access. Same install logic as the 40G Power Vent — interior closet, basement corner, manufactured home, sealed envelope new construction. The 50G version steps up the capacity to match households running 2 simultaneous demand points.

For 2–3 person households, drop to the 40G Power Vent to save $100. For atmospheric chimney installs, the Performance Plus 50G Atmospheric saves ~$200. For condensing efficiency tank installs, the Performance Plus Direct Vent 50G sits one tier above with higher UEF and 9-year warranty.

Where it beats the alternatives

Vs Performance Plus 50G Atmospheric ($849): Power Vent adds ~$200 for closet-install flexibility. UEF marginally higher (0.67 vs 0.63). When you need PVC venting, this is the standard mid-tier pick.

Vs AO Smith Vertex Power Direct Vent 50G ($1,499): Vertex is 0.90 UEF condensing — $400 upfront premium, ~$100/year less operating cost. Payback ~5 years. For long-horizon owners, Vertex; for replacement-urgency, Rheem Power Vent.

Vs Bradford White Power Vent 50G ($1,199 plumber channel): head-to-head closet-install matchup. Bradford White 6-year standard / 10-year extension; Rheem 6-year standard / 12-year on Platinum tier. Tie-breaker on installer.

Where it falls short

0.67 UEF is mid-tier — better than atmospheric (0.63) but trails condensing (0.90+) by enough that operating cost over 10 years favors condensing for high-demand households.

42,000 BTU input is slightly above the 40,000 BTU class average — recovery is a hair faster, but this isn't a Performance Platinum-tier high-recovery unit.

120V outlet required. Power vent fan adds mechanical failure point.

Audible fan operation. Don't install adjacent to bedrooms.

6-year warranty class-standard for power vent. The Performance Platinum tier offers 12-year but at significantly higher upfront cost.

Install considerations

3" PVC vent run up to 60 ft. Terminate through outside wall with screened cap. 120V outlet near unit. Standard 1/2" gas line at typical runs (verify at install).

Install cost: $1,300–$2,400 like-for-like with existing power-vent infrastructure; $2,800–$4,800 for atmospheric-to-power-vent conversion.

Maintenance

• Annual flush
• Anode check year 3, replace year 5
• T&P valve test annually
• Vent fan inspection every 3 years
• PVC vent cap clean annually
• See our Rheem maintenance hub for the full schedule

Bottom line

The Rheem Performance Power Vent 50G (XG50T06PV42U0) is the closet-install 50-gallon Rheem — 87 GPH FHD, 0.67 UEF, 6-year warranty, PVC venting up to 60 ft. Right pick for 3–4 person households where atmospheric venting isn't an option. For chimney installs, atmospheric saves $200. For condensing efficiency, step up to the Performance Plus Direct Vent 50G.