Bradford White · Defender Safety System atmospheric vent (RG2) · Gas storage tank
Bradford White RG250T6N
The Bradford White RG250T6N is a 50 US gallon (189 L) atmospheric-vent natural gas storage water heater with a 40,000 BTU/h input, 81 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.63, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. It is the most common size for four-person Metro Vancouver homes replacing an existing gas tank.
Key figures
- Nominal capacity
- 50 US gal (42 Imp. gal, 189 L)
- First-hour delivery
- 81 US gal (307 L)
- Input
- 40,000 BTU/h
- Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw
- 0.63
Nominal volume, rated volume and first-hour delivery are different figures; size by first-hour delivery.
Bradford White RG250T6N in practice
The RG250T6N is the 50-gallon tall member of Bradford White's Defender atmospheric line and the usual replacement target for a home that outgrew a 40-gallon tank. Its first-hour rating of 81 US gallons (307 L) is the highest of the standard 50-gallon tall tanks on Canadian sheet C1101, helped by the Hydrojet dip-tube system that keeps sediment out of the bottom of the tank where it would slow heat transfer.
It vents by natural draft through a 3" or 4" draft hood into a chimney or B-vent, draws combustion air from the room and needs no electricity, so hot water continues during a power outage. UEF 0.63 is a medium-draw rating below ENERGY STAR; the 50-gallon atmospheric class does not reach the version 5.0 threshold of 0.81. Whether CANRO stocks this model for a given job is confirmed at consultation.
Best suited to
- Households of four or more with a busy peak hour
- Like-for-like replacement of an existing 50 US gal atmospheric gas tank under a working chimney
- Upgrades from a 40 US gal tank where the flue and floor space allow a 22 in (559 mm) jacket
Limitations to know
- Needs a suitable chimney or B-vent and room combustion air; cannot be side-wall vented
- UEF 0.63 is below ENERGY STAR; a power-vent, condensing tank or tankless unit is more efficient
- 81 US gal first-hour delivery may run short for very large simultaneous draws such as a soaker tub plus showers
- Warranty excludes labour and anode consumption; anode inspection every 2 years is required
Applicability and support
- Model number
- RG250T6N
- Variants on this page
- RG250T6X (Propane, 36,000 BTU/h); RG250T10N (10-year warranty version)
- Canadian availability
- available
- Production status
- current
- CANRO supplies
- Confirmed at consultation
- CANRO services
- Confirmed at consultation
- Recirculation
- Not published
- Warranty
- Series terms
Storage tanks can serve a recirculation loop with an external pump and return connection; Bradford White does not publish recirculation guidance for this model, so any loop is designed at consultation.
Where CANRO provides on-site service
On-site service is currently offered across Metro Vancouver: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Langley, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, White Rock, Tsawwassen; plus Anmore, Belcarra, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, Abbotsford with travel or ferry arrangements confirmed by phone. Everything else on this site is reference information you can use anywhere in Canada.
Specifications
Published specifications
Values as published by Bradford White. Manufacturer gallon and BTU/h figures are preserved with metric alongside; notes flag conflicting documents and missing figures. Groups expand for detail.
Storage capacity 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rated nominal volume | 50 US gal (42 Imp. gal, 189 L) | Canadian sheet C1101. Nominal, not the tested storage volume. |
| Rated (DOE) storage volume | 48 US gal (182 L) | Published on the US sheet 1101 only; not on the Canadian sheet. |
Delivery and recovery 3
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| First-hour rating | 81 US gal (307 L) | Single column on C1101, not fuel-specific. Based on AHRI directory listing. |
| Recovery at 90 °F (50 °C) rise, natural gas | 43 US gal/h (36 Imp. gal/h, 163 L/h) | Recovery efficiency up to 80% per Bradford White. |
| Recovery at 90 °F (50 °C) rise, propane (RG250T6X) | 41 US gal/h (155 L/h) | The Canadian sheet's Imperial-gallon figure for the propane row is not legibly aligned; the litre figure is shown. |
Input 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Input, natural gas | 40,000 BTU/h | 11.7 kW. |
| Input, propane (RG250T6X) | 36,000 BTU/h | 10.6 kW. |
Efficiency 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw | 0.63 | Per AHRI listing cited on C1101. Not ENERGY STAR (v5.0 requires UEF ≥ 0.81 for this size). |
Venting and air 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vent connection | 3 in or 4 in (76 or 102 mm) draft hood | "Snap Lock" 3x4 draft diverter; atmospheric venting into a suitable chimney or B-vent. |
Connections 3
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Water connections | 3/4 in NPT with dielectric waterways and heat traps | |
| Gas connection | 1/2 in (13 mm) | |
| T&P relief valve | Factory installed; optional top location | Top T&P location must be specified when ordering. |
Electrical 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical supply | None required (ICON System control powered by the pilot thermopile) |
Physical 3
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Height to top of heater | 56 5/8 in (1438 mm) | 60 1/8 in (1527 mm) to the exhaust connection. |
| Jacket diameter | 22 in (559 mm) | Depth 25 1/2 in (648 mm) including fittings. |
| Shipping weight | 154 lb (70 kg) |
Operating limits 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Working pressure | 150 psi (1034 kPa); tested at 300 psi (2068 kPa) | |
| Certification | CSA International, ANSI Z21.10.1 / CSA 4.1 |
Other 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Anode rod | Magnesium, combined with the hot-water outlet nipple | Aluminum options listed in the Canadian parts list. |
Manuals
- Canadian specification sheet C1101 — Atmospheric Vent Residential Gas Water HeaterC1101-1125 · 2025 · Canadian
- Installation and Operation Manual 238-51012-00238-51012-00V · REV 08/26
- Service Manual — Defender Safety System FVIR water heaters238-51542-00E · REV 08/22
- Canadian Residential Gas Replacement Parts List238-53513-00F · October 2024 · Canadian
Maintenance the manufacturer specifies
- Inspect the anode rod every 2 years and replace when depleted; more often with softened water (manual, Maintenance item 9).
- Operate the T&P relief valve at least once a year to check it lifts and reseats without leaking (item 6).
- Drain about a gallon monthly to remove sediment (item 7); annual inspection by a qualified technician.
- Inspect the vent system at least once a year; check burner flames twice a year (items 10 and 4).
Fault codes documented for this model
- 4 flashes, 3-second pause Temperature cut-out reached, shutdown (ICON System)
- 2 flashes, 3-second pause Weak pilot signal or low thermopile voltage (ICON System)
- 3 flashes, 3-second pause Insufficient water heating (ICON System V1)
- 5 flashes, 3-second pause Electronics, sensor or gas valve fault (ICON System)
- 6 flashes, 3-second pause Water leak detected by the accessory module (ICON System V1)
- 7 flashes, 3-second pause Gas control electronic fault detected (ICON System V1)
- 8 flashes, 3-second pause Standing pilot remains on with the control in OFF (ICON System V1)
Services
Hot water and scalding
- Water above 49 °C at a tap can scald in seconds, and children and older adults are at most risk. BC's plumbing code limits shower and bathtub water to 49 °C.
- Storage tanks are normally kept hotter (Health Canada advises 60 °C) to limit Legionella growth, with a thermostatic mixing valve tempering the water to the fixtures.
- Never bypass or remove a mixing valve, thermostat or high-limit control to get hotter water.
Official guidance: Government of Canada on water temperature and scalds and HealthLinkBC.
Frequently asked questions
Is the RG250T6N sold in Canada?
Yes. It is listed on Bradford White's Canadian residential gas page and on Canadian spec sheet C1101. Bradford White sells only through wholesalers, so it is supplied and installed by contractors such as CANRO.
What does 81 gallon first-hour rating mean?
It is how much hot water the heater can deliver in one busy hour starting from a full, hot tank: the stored 50 gallons plus what the 40,000 BTU/h burner reheats during that hour. It is the figure to match to your peak-hour demand, not the nominal 50 gallons.
Can the RG250T6N run on propane?
The propane version is the RG250T6X with a 36,000 BTU/h input and a lower recovery. Fuel conversion is not a field procedure on this model; order the correct fuel version.
Is a 50 gallon tank big enough for a family?
For most four-person households, a 50-gallon tank's 307 L first-hour delivery covers the morning peak. Demand is assessed on the busiest hour and simultaneous fixtures, which is where a five-plus-person home may need more.
Questions about the Bradford White RG250T6N?
Describe what the water heater is doing and get a straight answer about the next step.
On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC. Call to check availability.
Compare and explore
- Bradford White RG240T6N (40 gal) vs RG250T6N (50 gal)Comparison
- Bradford White RG250T6N (50 gal, 40,000 BTU/h) vs RG250S6N (50 gal, 50,000 BTU/h)Comparison
- Bradford White RG240T6NSame series
- Bradford White RG230T6NSame series
- Bradford White RG240S6NSame series
- Bradford White RG250S6NSame series
- Bradford White RG230S6NSame series
- Bradford White RG130T6NSame series
- Bradford White RG140T6NSame series
- Bradford White RG150T6NSame series
- Bradford White RG250L6NSame series
- Bradford White RG260T6NSame series
- Defender Safety System atmospheric vent (RG2) series hub
- Gas storage tank water heatersSystem type
- Tank vs tankless guide
Sources and verification
- Canadian spec sheet C1101-1125 · C1101-1125 · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
- US spec sheet 1101-1125 (rated storage volume) · 1101-1125 · accessed September 7, 2026
- Installation and Operation Manual · 238-51012-00V · accessed September 7, 2026
- Bradford White — Residential Gas Water Heaters Canada · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.