Canada-wide water heater information · On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC
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Comparison
Verdict in brief
Both are Bradford White direct-vent tanks that use a 3 in × 5 in co-axial vent to bring combustion air in and exhaust out through one side-wall penetration, and both use a millivolt control that needs no electricity. The RG2DV40S6N burns 38,000 BTU/h for a 62 US gal first-hour rating at UEF 0.60; the RG2DV50S6N burns 42,000 BTU/h for 77 US gal at UEF 0.64. The 50-gallon model is 9 in taller in the same 22 in jacket.
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.
| Specification | Bradford White RG2DV40S6NGas storage tank | Bradford White RG2DV50S6NGas storage tank |
|---|---|---|
| Rated nominal volume | 40 US gal (33 Imp. gal, 151 L) | 50 US gal (42 Imp. gal, 189 L) |
| Rated (DOE) storage volume | 38 US gal (144 L) | 47 US gal (178 L) |
| First-hour rating | 62 US gal (235 L) | 77 US gal (292 L) |
| Recovery at 90 °F (50 °C) rise, natural gas | 41 US gal/h (34 Imp. gal/h, 155 L/h) | 45 US gal/h (170 L/h) |
| Input, natural gas | 38,000 BTU/h | 42,000 BTU/h |
| Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw | 0.6 | 0.64 |
| Vent connection | 3 in x 5 in (76 x 127 mm) co-axial direct vent | 3 in x 5 in (76 x 127 mm) co-axial direct vent |
| Water connections | 3/4 in NPT with dielectric waterways and heat traps | 3/4 in NPT with dielectric waterways and heat traps |
| Gas connection | 1/2 in (13 mm) | 1/2 in (13 mm) |
| Height to top of heater | 50 3/16 in (1275 mm) | 59 3/16 in (1503 mm) |
| Jacket diameter | 22 in (559 mm) | 22 in (559 mm) |
| Shipping weight | 189 lb (86 kg) | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Electrical supply | None required (millivolt ICON System control powered by the pilot thermopile) | None required (millivolt 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.
Direct vent is the reason to look at this pair: a single 3 in × 5 in (76 × 127 mm) co-axial pipe handles both intake and exhaust through an exterior wall, so the tank does not consume room air and needs no chimney. That suits sealed, tight or converted spaces where an atmospheric tank cannot get combustion air.
The two sizes share the co-axial vent, 3/4 in NPT water connections and a 1/2 in gas connection, and both run a millivolt ICON System control powered by the pilot thermopile, so hot water continues during a power outage. Neither is a condensing product, so neither produces acidic condensate.
Capacity and recovery step together. The RG2DV40S6N stores 40 US gallons (151 L) nominal and 38 US gallons (144 L) rated, recovers 41 US gal/h (155 L/h) at a 90 °F (50 °C) rise and rates 62 US gal (235 L) first-hour at UEF 0.60. The RG2DV50S6N stores 50 US gallons (189 L) nominal and 47 US gallons (178 L) rated, recovers 45 US gal/h (170 L/h) and rates 77 US gal (292 L) first-hour at UEF 0.64, from a 42,000 BTU/h burner.
The cabinet step is height rather than width: both use a 22 in (559 mm) jacket, but the 50-gallon model stands 59 3/16 in against 50 3/16 in to the top of the heater, and ships at 212 lb against 189 lb. Where ceiling height over the tank is tight, the 40-gallon direct-vent model fits where the 50 will not. Whether CANRO supplies either is confirmed at consultation.
Bradford White · Gas storage tank
The Bradford White RG2DV40S6N is a 40 US gallon (151 L) direct vent natural gas storage water heater with a 38,000 BTU/h input, 62 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.60, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. Its sealed co-axial vent needs no chimney and no electricity.
Bradford White · Gas storage tank
The Bradford White RG2DV50S6N is a 50 US gallon (189 L) direct vent natural gas storage water heater with a 42,000 BTU/h input, 77 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.64, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. Its sealed co-axial vent needs no chimney and no electricity.
One 3 in × 5 in co-axial pipe through an exterior wall supplies combustion air and removes exhaust, so the tank needs no chimney and does not draw combustion air from the room.
No. Both use a millivolt control powered by the pilot thermopile, so they produce hot water during a power outage.
The 40-gallon RG2DV40S6N, which stands 50 3/16 in to the top of the heater against 59 3/16 in for the 50-gallon model. Both use the same 22 in jacket width.
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.
Sources and verification
Facts checked September 21, 2026. Last updated September 21, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.