When you're choosing a water heater for hydronic equipment, the first question is whether the electrical specs match your building's power. Two new units give you clear options: the AO Smith DSE-120A 200 and the Rheem Rudd ELD80-D. The two are separated by $4,351 in listed price, so the decision often comes down to what your power supply can feed and what you're willing to pay upfront.
Quick verdict
Choose the AO Smith DSE-120A 200 if your setup needs a high-amperage storage-tank electric heater and the higher listed price fits the project. Choose the Rheem Rudd ELD80-D if you want a lower-priced commercial electric water heater with a specific tank size and voltage configuration.
At a glance
| Product | Listed price | Key specs | Price bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO Smith DSE-120A 200 | USD 5,850.00 | 120 A, electric, storage tank, new | |
| Rheem Rudd ELD80-D | USD 1,499.00 | 80 gallon, 277V, 12.1 kW, new |
Where each product stands out
The AO Smith DSE-120A 200 stands out for its high amperage rating and storage-tank design. It's listed as new in crate, and it's the higher-priced unit. The Rheem Rudd ELD80-D stands out for its specific capacity and electrical ratings, plus a listed price $4,351 lower than the AO Smith's. Both are new commercial electric water heater listings, so freshness isn't a differentiator here.
AO Smith DSE-120A 200
The AO Smith commercial electric water heater is listed at $5,850.00 and is described as new in crate. Its defining attribute is the 120-amp amperage rating, which points to a high-capacity electrical configuration for a storage-tank electric heater. If your facility can feed a 120-amp load, this model gives you that headroom in a new unit. The catch is the price: it costs $4,351 more than the Rheem in this comparison, so you'll want to confirm your budget and electrical service can justify that difference. It's a storage-tank electric unit, so it fits commercial applications that need a tank and high current draw.
Rheem Rudd ELD80-D
The Rheem Rudd ELD80-D is an 80-gallon commercial electric water heater rated at 277V and 12.1 kW, listed at $1,499.00. That makes it the lower-priced unit in this pairing, and it's also new. Its 80-gallon capacity and 277V rating are concrete specs you can match directly to your tank size and voltage requirements. If your building runs on 277V and needs 80 gallons of storage, this unit lines up well without the higher price tag of the AO Smith. The limitation is that it doesn't offer the 120-amp amperage of the AO Smith, so it won't suit a system that specifically needs that level of current.
Final choice by use case
Pick the AO Smith DSE-120A 200 for a new-in-crate storage-tank water heater with high amperage headroom. Pick the Rheem Rudd ELD80-D for a lower-priced electric water heater with the tank size and voltage configuration it offers. If amperage is your deciding factor, go with the AO Smith; if the Rheem's specific tank and voltage fit your building, it's the direct match. In short, match the amperage for the AO Smith or match the tank-and-voltage combo for the Rheem.
