U.S. Craftmaster GCR-40 2**

It holds 38 gallons in the test, 2 gallons less than its 40-gallon sold size. Starting full, it gives 80 gallons of hot water in its first hour of use. That is 42 gallons more than its tank holds, since it reheats during the hour. Of 763 gas storage models, 323 give more hot water in the first hour. The median gas storage model gives 78 gallons in its first hour.

It was not listed as ENERGY STAR certified on Oct 26, 2026. In the test, 36% of its energy does not reach the hot water (UEF 0.64). In the test, daily hot water use was set to high (its draw pattern). Of 434 gas storage models with the same draw pattern, 255 have a higher UEF. On its draw pattern, the median gas storage UEF is 0.66. When it reheats water in the test, 74% of the energy it uses ends up in the water.

All of its test figures are shared by 4 other basic models. Each of them is listed under a different brand. For the full group, see the A. O. Smith GCR-40 2**.