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Comparison

Bradford White RG130T6N vs RG140T6N: 30 or 40 Gallons?

Verdict in brief

Both are Bradford White Defender atmospheric gas tanks with a 3 in or 4 in draft hood and no electrical supply. The RG130T6N holds 30 US gallons nominal and burns 27,000 BTU/h for a 46 US gal first-hour rating at UEF 0.54. The RG140T6N holds 40 US gallons and burns 34,000 BTU/h for a 64 US gal first-hour rating at UEF 0.59. The 40-gallon model is taller and wider (18 in against 16 in) and 26 lb heavier, but it recovers 8 US gal/h more and delivers 18 US gal more in the first hour. Choose the 40 unless the space or the gas load genuinely forces the 30.

Side by side

Published manufacturer figures with units. Storage and flow figures are different measures and are shown on their own rows; blanks mean not applicable or not published.

Comparison of Bradford White RG130T6N and Bradford White RG140T6N
SpecificationBradford White RG130T6NGas storage tankBradford White RG140T6NGas storage tank
Rated nominal volume30 US gal (25 Imp. gal, 114 L)40 US gal (33 Imp. gal, 151 L)
Rated (DOE) storage volume29 US gal (110 L)38 US gal (144 L)
First-hour rating46 US gal (174 L)64 US gal (242 L)
Recovery at 90 °F (50 °C) rise, natural gas29 US gal/h (24 Imp. gal/h, 110 L/h)37 US gal/h (31 Imp. gal/h, 139 L/h)
Input, natural gas27,000 BTU/h34,000 BTU/h
Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw0.540.59
Vent connection3 in or 4 in (76 or 102 mm) draft hood3 in or 4 in (76 or 102 mm) draft hood
Gas connection1/2 in (13 mm)1/2 in (13 mm)
Water connections3/4 in NPT with dielectric waterways and heat traps3/4 in NPT with dielectric waterways and heat traps
Height to top of heater56 1/4 in (1429 mm)57 13/16 in (1468 mm)
Jacket diameter16 in (406 mm)18 in (457 mm)
Shipping weight106 lb (48 kg)132 lb (60 kg)
Electrical supplyNone required (ICON System control powered by the pilot thermopile)None required (ICON System control powered by the pilot thermopile)

“—” means not applicable to that system type or not published by the manufacturer. Flow figures are only comparable at the same temperature rise; UEF values are only comparable within the same draw pattern.

What actually separates them

The two tanks sit at the bottom of the Defender atmospheric range and share the same construction: a 3 in or 4 in draft hood into a chimney or B-vent, room combustion air, a millivolt control powered by the pilot thermopile so no electricity is needed, 3/4 in NPT dielectric water connections and a 1/2 in gas connection. Neither can be side-wall vented, and both keep producing hot water during a power outage.

The capacity step is 10 US gallons nominal (114 L against 151 L) and 9 US gallons rated (29 against 38 US gal). The input step is 7,000 BTU/h, which raises the 90 °F (50 °C) recovery from 29 to 37 US gal/h (110 to 139 L/h) and the first-hour rating from 46 to 64 US gal (174 to 242 L). The UEF moves from 0.54 to 0.59 under the medium-draw test; neither is close to ENERGY STAR's 0.81 threshold for the class.

Physically the 40-gallon tank is 1 9/16 in taller (57 13/16 in against 56 1/4 in to the top of the heater), 2 in wider in the jacket (18 in against 16 in) and 26 lb heavier (132 lb against 106 lb). In a closet sized around a 30-gallon tank, that extra width and weight is the practical limit.

In use, the 30-gallon tank is a one- or two-person, low-demand unit suited to a single bathroom used sequentially. The 40-gallon model is the smallest size that reliably covers a small household's morning. A demand assessment measures simultaneous flow before a size is fixed, and whether CANRO supplies a given size is confirmed at consultation.

Bradford White · Gas storage tank

Bradford White RG130T6N

CurrentSold in Canada
Nominal capacity
30 US gal (25 Imp. gal, 114 L)
First-hour delivery
46 US gal (174 L)
Input
27,000 BTU/h

The Bradford White RG130T6N is a 30 US gallon (114 L) atmospheric-vent natural gas storage water heater with a 27,000 BTU/h input, 46 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.54, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. Its 16 in (406 mm) jacket fits narrow utility spaces.

Natural gasPropaneAtmospheric (draft hood)
Specifications, manuals and service

Bradford White · Gas storage tank

Bradford White RG140T6N

CurrentSold in Canada
Nominal capacity
40 US gal (33 Imp. gal, 151 L)
First-hour delivery
64 US gal (242 L)
Input
34,000 BTU/h

The Bradford White RG140T6N is a 40 US gallon (151 L) atmospheric-vent natural gas storage water heater with a 34,000 BTU/h input, 64 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.59, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. It is the low-input 40-gallon alternative to the RG240T6N.

Natural gasPropaneAtmospheric (draft hood)
Specifications, manuals and service

Frequently asked questions

Is the 30-gallon RG130T6N enough for a family?

Only for very low demand. At 46 US gal first-hour and 29 US gal/h recovery it suits one bathroom used sequentially. A household running two morning fixtures should start from the 40-gallon model or larger.

Why does the 40-gallon tank have a higher UEF?

Both are rated under the same medium-draw UEF test; the larger tank's lower standby loss per gallon of capacity gives it UEF 0.59 against 0.54. Neither reaches ENERGY STAR's 0.81 threshold for the size.

Do they need different venting or power?

No. Both vent through a 3 in or 4 in draft hood into a chimney or B-vent, draw combustion air from the room and need no electricity, using a millivolt control powered by the pilot thermopile.

Not sure which one fits your home?

A consultation includes a hot-water demand review so capacity is right for your winter, not the brochure's.

On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC. Call to check availability.

Call 604-359-1081Request a consultation

Related

Sources and verification

Facts checked September 21, 2026. Last updated September 21, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.

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