Vesta VTP-199 vs A. O. Smith ATHR-199M
Two of the gas tankless water heaters in our best gas tankless water heaters comparison, lined up spec by spec. Every figure comes from the manufacturer pages linked below, and the scores use the same published formula as the full ranking.
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Best for: Official UEF 0.96, maximum 6 GPM, minimum activation 0.5 GPM
Check price at AmazonBest for: Official UEF 0.95, maximum 5.9 GPM, minimum activation 1 GPM
Check price at AmazonSpec-by-spec comparison
Green marks the better published figure. "Not listed" means the manufacturer doesn't publish it.
| Spec | Vesta VTP-199 | A. O. Smith ATHR-199M | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uniform energy factorOfficial ENERGY STAR uniform energy factor. Higher means more hot water delivered per unit of fuel. Missing values take the category minimum. | 0.96 | 0.95 | 34% |
| Maximum flowOfficial ENERGY STAR maximum gallons per minute. This is a lab rating, not a guarantee at your incoming water temperature. Missing values take the category minimum. | 6 GPM | 5.9 GPM | 32% |
| Minimum activation flowOfficial ENERGY STAR minimum gallons per minute needed to start the heater. Lower is better for low-flow fixtures. Missing values take the category minimum (the highest minimum flow in the set). | 0.5 GPM | 1 GPM | 18% |
| Connected capableYes when the official ENERGY STAR record lists the model as connected-capable. Unstated counts as no. | No | No | 16% |
| Uniform energy factor (ENERGY STAR UEF) | 0.96 | 0.95 | info |
| Maximum flow (ENERGY STAR) | 6 GPM | 5.9 GPM | info |
| Minimum activation flow (ENERGY STAR) | 0.5 GPM | 1 GPM | info |
| Fuel (ENERGY STAR) | Natural Gas, Propane | Natural Gas, Propane | info |
| Vent type (ENERGY STAR) | Direct Vent | Power Vent,Power Direct Vent | info |
| Input rate (ENERGY STAR) | 199,000 BTU/h | 199,000 BTU/h | info |
| Annual natural-gas use (ENERGY STAR) | 176 therms/year | 178 therms/year | info |
| Maximum GPM per 10,000 BTU/h (computed) | 0.3 GPM per 10,000 BTU/h, computed as certified maximum GPM ÷ certified input rate | 0.3 GPM per 10,000 BTU/h, computed as certified maximum GPM ÷ certified input rate | info |
| Connected capable (ENERGY STAR) | No | No | info |
| Draw pattern (ENERGY STAR) | High-Usage | High-Usage | info |
| Recovery efficiency (ENERGY STAR) | 98% | 98% | info |
| Dimensions (ENERGY STAR) | 27.6 × 18.1 × 11.6 in (H × W × D) | 27 × 17 × 16 in (H × W × D) | info |
| Certified model number | VTP-199 | ATHR-199M 1** | info |
| Official brand name on the ENERGY STAR record | Vesta | A. O. Smith | info |
| HeatPick score | 5.3/10 | 3.1/10 | 100% |
Where each one comes out ahead
Vesta VTP-199
Better published figure on: Uniform energy factor, Maximum flow, Minimum activation flow.
What we like
- Highest official maximum flow in this comparison (6 GPM)
Watch out for
- ENERGY STAR does not list this model as connected-capable
A. O. Smith ATHR-199M
No scored spec where it is strictly ahead; its case rests on the strengths below.
What we like
- High official maximum flow (5.9 GPM)
Watch out for
- Lowest official uniform energy factor in this comparison (0.95)
- Highest official minimum activation flow in this comparison (1 GPM)
- ENERGY STAR does not list this model as connected-capable
Verdict
The Vesta VTP-199 record lists a 0.96 UEF, 6.0 GPM maximum flow and 0.5 GPM minimum activation flow. The A. O. Smith ATHR-199M record lists a 0.95 UEF, 5.9 GPM maximum flow and 1.0 GPM minimum activation flow. ENERGY STAR does not list either as connected-capable.
- Vesta VTP-199: ENERGY STAR Product Finder: VTP-199
- Vesta VTP-199: ENERGY STAR certified water heaters dataset
- A. O. Smith ATHR-199M: ENERGY STAR Product Finder: ATHR-199M
- A. O. Smith ATHR-199M: ENERGY STAR certified water heaters dataset