Bradford White · Power direct vent Defender (RG2PDV) · Gas storage tank
Bradford White RG2PDV50S6N
The Bradford White RG2PDV50S6N is a 50 US gallon (189 L) power direct vent natural gas storage water heater with a 40,000 BTU/h input, 80 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.68, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. Twin-pipe closed combustion suits tightly sealed rooms with no chimney.
Key figures
- Nominal capacity
- 50 US gal (42 Imp. gal, 189 L)
- First-hour delivery
- 80 US gal (303 L)
- Input
- 40,000 BTU/h
- Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw
- 0.68
Nominal volume, rated volume and first-hour delivery are different figures; size by first-hour delivery.
Bradford White RG2PDV50S6N in practice
The RG2PDV50S6N is the 50-gallon short member of the Defender power direct vent family. At the same 40,000 BTU/h input as the 40-gallon model it delivers an 80 US gallon (303 L) first-hour rating, five gallons more from the extra storage. It vents through twin 2 or 3 in PVC, ABS or CPVC pipes, with the intake capped at the exhaust length and concentric kits available for a single wall exit.
Closed combustion means the burner never uses room air, which is what makes the family suitable for tightly insulated mechanical rooms. It carries the Defender Safety System flammable-vapour-ignition-resistant design and the no-standing-pilot ICON control, at the price of a 110 VAC, 3.1 A supply. UEF 0.68 is a medium-draw rating below ENERGY STAR. Whether CANRO stocks this model for a given job is confirmed at consultation.
Best suited to
- Tightly sealed mechanical rooms with no chimney and limited combustion air
- Households of three to four people in homes without a usable flue
- Like-for-like replacement of an existing 50 US gal power direct vent tank
Limitations to know
- Requires 110 VAC power; no hot water during a power outage
- Twin-pipe venting needs two wall penetrations or a concentric kit, and the intake cannot exceed the exhaust run
- UEF 0.68 is below ENERGY STAR; a condensing tank or tankless unit is more efficient
- Warranty excludes labour and anode consumption; anode inspection every 2 years is required
Applicability and support
- Model number
- RG2PDV50S6N
- Variants on this page
- RG2PDV50S6X (Propane, 38,000 BTU/h); RG2PDV50S10N (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 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rated nominal volume | 50 US gal (42 Imp. gal, 189 L) | Canadian sheet C1117. Nominal, not the tested storage volume. |
Delivery and recovery 3
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| First-hour rating | 80 US gal (303 L) | Single column on C1117, 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) | The sheet states 78% recovery efficiency. |
| Recovery at 90 °F (50 °C) rise, propane (RG2PDV50S6X) | 41 US gal/h (155 L/h) |
Input 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Input, natural gas | 40,000 BTU/h | 11.7 kW. |
| Input, propane (RG2PDV50S6X) | 38,000 BTU/h | 11.1 kW. |
Efficiency 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw | 0.68 | Per AHRI listing cited on C1117. Not ENERGY STAR (v5.0 requires UEF ≥ 0.81 for this size). |
Venting and air 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vent connection | 2 in or 3 in (51 or 76 mm) twin pipe, PVC, ABS or CPVC | Closed combustion: one pipe draws outside air, the other expels exhaust; concentric kit gives a single exit (subtract 10 ft from each pipe length). |
| Maximum vent length | 35 ft (10.7 m) in 2 in; 85 ft (26.0 m) in 3 in; minimum 7 ft (2.1 m) | Subtract 5 ft per additional 90° elbow; the intake run cannot exceed the exhaust run. |
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 |
Electrical 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical supply | 110 VAC, 60 Hz, 3.1 A | Powers the combustion-air blower and the ICON System control; no hot water during a power outage. |
Physical 3
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Height to top of heater | 50 9/16 in (1284 mm) | 60 7/8 in (1546 mm) to the exhaust connection. |
| Jacket diameter | 24 in (610 mm) | Depth 34 3/8 in (873 mm) including fittings. |
| Shipping weight | 192 lb (87 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 |
Manuals
- Canadian specification sheet C1117 — Power Direct Vent Residential Gas Water HeaterC1117-1125 · 2025 · Canadian
- Limited Residential Water Heater Warranty238-39699-00ZAN
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
None documented yet.
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 RG2PDV50S6N sold in Canada?
Yes. It is listed on Bradford White's Canadian residential gas page and on Canadian spec sheet C1117. Bradford White sells only through wholesalers, so it is supplied and installed by contractors such as CANRO.
Why is the UEF lower than the 40-gallon model?
The 50-gallon tank has a larger surface area and the same 40,000 BTU/h input, so standby loss is a larger share of its test cycle: the sheet rates it UEF 0.68 against 0.70 for the RG2PDV40S6N.
Can the RG2PDV50S6N run on propane?
The propane version is the RG2PDV50S6X with a 38,000 BTU/h input. Fuel conversion is not a field procedure; order the correct fuel version.
Questions about the Bradford White RG2PDV50S6N?
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 RG2PV50S6N19 (power vent) vs RG2PDV50S6N (power direct vent)Comparison
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Sources and verification
- Canadian spec sheet C1117-1125 · C1117-1125 · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
- Bradford White — Residential Gas Water Heaters Canada · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
- Bradford White For The Pro — Power Direct Vent Gas, Canada · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.