The WGR series is Westinghouse\'s stainless steel gas tank line — and the differentiator here is that lifetime-warranty gas tanks are rare. Marathon makes only electric tanks; mainstream gas tanks top out at 12-year warranties. Westinghouse stainless gas extends to lifetime.
The lineup
- WGR040NG — 40-gallon atmospheric natural gas
- WGR050NG — 50-gallon atmospheric natural gas (volume pick)
- WGR075NG — 75-gallon atmospheric natural gas
- WGR080NG — 80-gallon high-efficiency atmospheric natural gas
- WGRPV050NG — 50-gallon Power Vent natural gas
Specs
| Model | Capacity | BTU | FHR | UEF | Venting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WGR040NG | 40 gal | 40,000 | 72 | 0.62 | Atmospheric |
| WGR050NG | 50 gal | 50,000 | 87 | 0.62 | Atmospheric |
| WGR075NG | 75 gal | 76,000 | 134 | 0.60 | Atmospheric |
| WGR080NG | 80 gal | 76,000 | 140 | 0.65 | Atmospheric (high-efficiency) |
| WGRPV050NG | 50 gal | 50,000 | 87 | 0.67 | Power Vent (PVC) |
Atmospheric vs Power Vent
- Atmospheric (WGR): needs B-vent chimney. Lower cost, simpler install if chimney exists
- Power Vent (WGRPV): fan-assisted PVC sidewall venting. For chimneyless homes. Requires 120V outlet. Higher upfront cost
Common across the line
- 316L stainless steel tank construction
- Lifetime tank warranty (residential, original owner)
- 6-year parts warranty
- Standard atmospheric uses B-vent chimney
- Power Vent uses PVC sidewall venting + 120V outlet
Why stainless gas tank matters
- Hot stainless tank handles gas combustion temperatures well without thermal stress cracking
- No anode rod needed — gas storage tanks traditionally need anode replacement; stainless eliminates this
- Lifetime warranty in gas — Marathon doesn\'t offer this; mainstream gas tops at 12 years
- Operating cost of gas remains lower than electric in most US markets
When WGR is the right pick
- Gas service available AND long-term ownership
- Want lifetime tank warranty in gas (not just electric)
- Aggressive water + gas fuel preferred
- Previous gas tank corroded in under 10 years
WGR vs mainstream gas tank
| Westinghouse WGR050 | Rheem Performance Platinum 50 | AO Smith Signature Premier 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank warranty | Lifetime | 12 years | 12 years |
| Anode rod | None | Required, replace every 4-7 yrs | Required, replace every 4-7 yrs |
| UEF | 0.62 | 0.65 | 0.65 |
| Typical price | $1,449-1,749 | $999-1,249 | $999-1,249 |
Bottom line
WGR050 atmospheric is the volume pick. WGRPV050 for chimneyless homes. WGR075/080 for larger families. Lifetime warranty in gas is the Westinghouse differentiator vs Marathon (electric-only) and mainstream (12-year max).