Bradford White eF RC2PV50H6N vs Defender RG2PV50H6N19 (50 gal power vent)

Both are indoor storage tanks for homes without a usable chimney, both vent through the wall under positive pressure, and both need a 120 V supply for the blower and control, so neither makes hot water during a power outage. The difference is the heat exchanger. The eF RC2PV50H6N is condensing, with a dual-pass exchanger that recovers latent heat for UEF 0.80; the Defender RG2PV50H6N19 is a conventional non-condensing tank at UEF 0.68. Both figures are Uniform Energy Factors on the medium draw pattern, so they are comparable to each other, and the gap is directional rather than a promised saving.

Input and delivery follow the efficiency class. The eF runs a 76,000 BTU/h input on the same nominal 50 US gallon tank, for a 120 US gallon (455 L) first-hour rating and about 91 US gal/h (344 L/h) of recovery at a 90 °F rise. The Defender runs 65,000 BTU/h on a 48 US gallon nominal tank, for a 116 US gallon (440 L) first-hour rating and about 70 US gal/h (265 L/h) of recovery. The eF therefore recovers roughly a third faster, which is what the higher input buys.

Venting and physical size differ more than the labels suggest. The eF condensing unit vents in 2, 3 or 4 in PVC-family pipe and produces acidic condensate, so it needs a condensate drain to an approved location with a neutralizer where required. The Defender is non-condensing, vents in 3 or 4 in PVC, ABS, CPVC or polypropylene up to 180 equivalent feet in 4 in, and produces no condensate. The eF is the wider and heavier cabinet at 24 in diameter and 225 lb against 22 in and 187 lb for the Defender, both about 56 in to the top of the heater. Both are CSA International design certified.

The honest decision is about the site and the gas bill. Where a condensate path is available and lower gas use is wanted, the condensing eF is the better fit; where the simpler non-condensing power vent suits the budget and there is no convenient condensate route, the Defender is the lower-complexity choice. UEF 0.80 is 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.