Is the A.O. Smith EESU-50 100 right for your replacement?
The A.O. Smith EESU-50 100 ProLine is a short electric storage water heater with digital controls and a grid-capable communication port. Its shorter, wider body can be a useful alternative when a conventional tall 50-gallon heater will not fit. At Water Heating Experts, we check your current installation, household hot-water use, available space, and electrical supply before recommending a model in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, or nearby Palm Beach County communities.
A.O. Smith lists 50 gallons nominal capacity, 46 gallons rated storage, and a 67-gallon first-hour rating. That first-hour figure measures hot-water delivery in a standardized test, not water physically held inside the tank or a guarantee of uninterrupted hot water. We consider showers, fixtures, and overlapping appliance use when comparing replacements.
What does “grid-capable” mean?
The EESU-50 100 includes a digital control panel with standard and vacation operating modes, diagnostic feedback, and a CTA-2045 EcoPort connection intended for utility demand-response programs. The connection can work with a compatible module where a participating utility offers support. It does not mean Wi-Fi controls, utility rebates, or savings are automatically provided. Module availability and program eligibility must be confirmed with the utility.
This remains a conventional electric resistance water heater, not a hybrid heat-pump water heater. The grid interface can help a supported utility manage electrical demand, but it does not by itself change the basic water-heating technology.
Short tank dimensions and installation considerations
The heater measures 49¼ inches high and 23 inches in diameter, with ¾-inch top water connections. These dimensions do not include the extra room needed for piping, the electrical connection, front control access, drainage, the temperature-and-pressure relief discharge, or eventual tank removal. WHE reviews the full installation space rather than relying on a matching gallon label alone.
For comparison, the EETU-50 100 grid-capable tall model is 59 inches high by 20½ inches wide with a 62-gallon first-hour rating. The short EESU-50 100 is wider, but its published first-hour rating is 67 gallons. If demand-response capability is not important, the ENS-50 110 conventional short electric model offers a similarly shaped alternative without the grid-capable controls. We can compare dimensions and hot-water needs before selecting equipment.
Electrical requirements, efficiency, and recovery
A.O. Smith specifies 240-volt power and two 4,500-watt heating elements, with 4,500 watts maximum input for the standard non-simultaneous configuration. This should not be mistaken for a 9,000-watt simultaneous load. The manufacturer lists 21 gallons per hour of recovery at a 90°F temperature rise and 0.92 Uniform Energy Factor (UEF). WHE checks the supplied unit’s nameplate, existing breaker and circuit, wiring, water connections, and site requirements before confirming installation.
Tank protection, maintenance, and warranty
Manufacturer-listed features include Blue Diamond glass tank lining, a CoreGard anode rod with a stainless-steel core, DynaClean sediment-reduction design, a lower Incoloy stainless-steel heating element, and a brass drain valve. These features do not remove the need for regular maintenance or attention to water conditions.
The EESU-50 100 includes a six-year limited tank and parts warranty, subject to the manufacturer’s written terms. Manufacturer coverage is separate from installation labor, removal, and other work. WHE confirms equipment availability, suitability, and the proposed installation scope with your estimate.
EESU-50 100 frequently asked questions
Does the EESU-50 100 hold 50 gallons?
A.O. Smith identifies it as a 50-gallon nominal model with 46 gallons rated storage. Its separate 67-gallon first-hour rating measures standardized hot-water delivery rather than physical tank volume.
Is the EESU-50 100 a short water heater?
Yes. The tank is 49¼ inches high by 23 inches in diameter. It needs additional clearance for its top connections, electrical access, controls, service, and eventual removal.
Does its grid-capable port connect to Wi-Fi or earn a rebate automatically?
No. The CTA-2045 EcoPort is intended for compatible utility demand-response modules and participating programs. Program availability, module requirements, incentives, and potential savings need confirmation directly with the utility.
How does this compare with the EETU-50 100 tall grid-capable model?
Both have 50 gallons nominal capacity and 0.92 UEF. The EESU-50 100 is shorter and wider and has a 67-gallon first-hour rating, compared with 62 gallons for the taller EETU-50 100. WHE checks the available installation space and expected demand before recommending either.
Can WHE install this model in Palm Beach Gardens or Jupiter?
Water Heating Experts serves Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and nearby Palm Beach County communities. Mention EESU-50 100 in your free installation estimate request. Equipment availability, electrical compatibility, and scheduling are confirmed separately.
Compare water heater replacements with WHE
Text us a clear photo of your current water heater’s model and electrical label, along with a wider photo showing the tank, surrounding clearance, and water connections. We can compare this model with other A.O. Smith water heater options and explain the work needed for a suitable replacement before confirming price.
Technical references: A.O. Smith EESU-50 100 product page, A.O. Smith grid-capable specification sheet ARESS00122, and manufacturer installation and use guide. Specifications and warranty are subject to the exact delivered unit and current documentation. Utility-program participation and incentives are not guaranteed.