Bradford White eF RC2PV50H6N vs eF RC2PDV50H6N (power vent vs power direct vent)

Because both are members of the eF Series condensing line, most published rows match: 50 US gallon (190 L) nominal volume, a 76,000 BTU/h natural gas input, UEF 0.80 on the medium draw pattern, 120 V power for the blower and control, and CSA International design certification. The distinction is combustion air. The RC2PV50H6N is a power vent that takes combustion air from the space around it and exhausts through 2, 3 or 4 in PVC-family pipe. The RC2PDV50H6N is a power direct vent: closed combustion, with a twin-pipe arrangement that brings outside air to the burner and exhausts outdoors, which is what a tightly sealed or spray-foamed mechanical room needs.

Delivery is close but not identical. The power vent publishes a 120 US gallon (455 L) first-hour rating and about 91 US gal/h of recovery at a 90 °F rise; the power direct vent publishes a 125 US gallon (473 L) first-hour rating and about 89 US gal/h of recovery at the same input. In practice the two are the same tank with different air and vent hardware, and the small difference in the published rows is the only separation.

The physical difference is real. The power direct vent is the heavier unit at 289 lb shipping against 225 lb for the power vent, and it is deeper at 33 3/4 in against 32 7/8 in, because it carries the additional intake piping. The power direct vent's Canadian sheet also prints an intake termination height of 65 5/8 in above the floor. Both need a condensate drain because both are condensing, and neither makes hot water during a power outage.

Choose the power direct vent where the room is sealed, small or contains other combustion appliances and you do not want the heater drawing on indoor air; choose the power vent where room air is acceptable and the lighter cabinet and marginally faster recovery are preferred. UEF 0.80 sits just under the ENERGY STAR version 5.0 threshold of 0.81 for this size, so neither is presented here as ENERGY STAR. Whether CANRO supplies a given model for a specific job is confirmed at consultation.