Canada-wide water heater information · On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC
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Water heaters · System type
Insulated tanks heated by one or two immersion elements on a 240 V circuit, with no venting or combustion. Simple and inexpensive, with slow recovery compared with gas.
In short
An electric storage tank heats water with resistance elements controlled by thermostats and a high-limit; it needs no venting or gas but a dedicated 240 V circuit, usually 30 A. Recovery is slower than gas, so first-hour rating leans on stored volume. In BC, plumbing code sets electric storage thermostats at 60 °C, with a mixing valve limiting fixtures to 49 °C.
Most residential electric tanks have an upper and a lower element, each with its own thermostat, wired so only one runs at a time. The upper element heats the top of the tank first so hot water is available quickly; the lower element does most of the work. A manual-reset high-limit cuts power if the tank overheats. There is no burner, flue or combustion air, and no carbon-monoxide risk from the heater itself.
Because a 4,500 W element recovers about 20 US gallons an hour at a 90 °F rise, an electric tank relies on stored volume for peak demand; a 50 or 60 gallon electric tank is common where a 40 gallon gas tank would do. First-hour rating is still the sizing figure. Electric tanks are rated by UEF like gas tanks, at their own draw pattern.
An electric tank needs a dedicated 240 V circuit sized to the element rating, a relief valve discharging to an approved location, and often an expansion tank on closed systems. BC's plumbing code states that thermostat controls for electric storage-type service water heaters shall be set at 60 °C; a thermostatic mixing valve then limits water at showers and tubs to 49 °C. Replacing a gas tank with electric changes the electrical load and removes the venting; replacing electric with gas adds gas and venting work.
CANRO's own pages describe same-day or next-day replacement of standard 40 or 50 gallon gas or electric tanks. Electric models are not yet documented in this catalogue; the brands CANRO lists include Rheem, Bradford White, A. O. Smith, Giant, John Wood, State and GSW, several of which have Canadian electric ranges.
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Bradford White · Electric storage tank
The Bradford White RE240S6 is a 38 US gallon (144 L) short-form electric storage water heater with two 4,500 W elements, a 55 US gallon first-hour rating and a 61 W standby-loss rating, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. It needs no venting or gas line.
Bradford White · Electric storage tank
The Bradford White RE250S6 is a 47 US gallon (178 L) short-form electric storage water heater with two 4,500 W elements, a 59 US gallon first-hour rating and a 59 W standby-loss rating, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. It needs no venting or gas line.
Bradford White · Electric storage tank
The Bradford White RE250T6 is a 47 US gallon (178 L) tall-form electric storage water heater with two 4,500 W elements, a 64 US gallon first-hour rating and a 63 W standby-loss rating, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. Its slimmer 20 in jacket fits narrow mechanical rooms.
Bradford White · Electric storage tank
The Bradford White RE255T6 is a 55 US gallon (208 L) electric storage water heater with two 4,500 W elements, a 75 US gallon first-hour rating and a 66 W standby-loss rating, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. It is the largest standard upright in the family before the 65 and 80-gallon models.
BC's plumbing code sets electric storage water heater thermostats at 60 °C, with a mixing valve limiting fixtures to 49 °C. Government of Canada guidance gives the same 60 °C storage and 49 °C delivery figures.
If gas service is available. It adds a gas line, venting and a permit, and is priced as a new installation rather than a swap.
CANRO reviews your hot-water demand, equipment and installation constraints. Requests are confirmed by CANRO.
On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC. Call to check availability.
Sources and verification
Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.