Bradford White RG1PV50S6N 50 Gallon 40,000 BTU TTW Power Vent Energy Saver Residential Water Heater
The Bradford White RG1PV50S6N is a 50 gallon, short, hot water heater. A shorter tank height means a wider diameter. This tank is 56-3/8" from the floor to the blower and the jacket diameter is 22" wide. Featuring an input of 40,000 BTUs, this hot water heater has a First Hour Rating or First Hour Delivery of 78 gallons.
Basically, the First Hour Rating means how much hot water the hot water heater can deliver in an hour of use, starting with a fully heated tank. It does not mean that the hot water will last for one hour. As the cold water enters the tank it is heated, the faster you use your hot water, the faster your water will become tepid and then cold. However, depending on your temperature set point and your household's water use you can calculate how much hot water you need during your busiest hour. As you use the water in the tank, it is continuously being replenished and heated.
The Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) is used to determine the energy efficiency of the hot water heater. Recover efficiency, stand-by loss and cycling loss are all included in the energy factor. Typically, the higher the energy factor, the more efficient the water heater. Cost of fuel however, will have an impact on annual operating costs.
An example of a 85 gallon peak demand might look like this:
- 4 showers (10 x 4 = 40 gallons)
- 1 bath (15 x 1 = 15 gallons)
- 1 shave (2 x 1 = 2 gallons)
- 1 meal prep (4 x 1 = 4 gallons)
- 1 hand dishwashing (4 x 1 = 4 gallons)
- 1 dishwasher run (6 x 1 = 6 gallons)
- 2 loads of laundry (7 x 2 = 14 gallons)
This household would probably want a hot water heater with a first hour rating of between 83 and 87 gallons.
Another important feature when choosing a hot water heater is the Recovery Rise. A 90° recovery rise for this tank is about 43 gallons per hour. All Bradford White hot water heaters are NAECA Compliant.
The Bradford White Defender Safety System is designed to be the safest, most reliable flammable vapor ignition resistant system in the industry meeting all the requirements set forth by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Defender Safety System features ScreenLok Technology flame arrestor. The louvered flame arrestor design increases the speed of incoming combustion air and creates a vector effect inside the combustion chamber when flammable vapors are ignited, preventing flames from traveling back through the flame arrestor and outside the water heater. Other features include Resettable thermal switch, virtually maintenance free.
ICON Control System is included on all Bradford White Residential and Light Duty Commercial Water Heaters. Features of the ICON System include:
- Advanced Temperature Control System - A microprocessor constantly monitors and controls burner operation to maintain consistent and accurate water temperature levels
- Exclusive Performance Software
- Intelligent Diagnostics for installers with status indicator
- Pilot-On-Indication
- Millivolt Powered - No external electricity required
- Separate Immersed Thermowell - No need to drain the tank when removing or replacing the gas valve
- Integrated Piezo Igniter
Hydrojet® Total Performance System: The Hydrojet® Total Performance System is a cold-water inlet tube that was especially engineered to reduce costly sediment buildup and create more thorough mixing of incoming water with stored water. Because of more efficient mixing, extreme temperature differences throughout the tank are greatly reduced. Water Heaters with the Hydrojet Total Performance System don't have to work as hard or as often to maintain a maximum supply of hot water at the desired temperature. They heat water faster and use less energy to do it. And, it’s standard equipment on all Bradford White top connect residential water heaters.
Vitraglas® The World's Best Enamel Tank Lining: Bradford White water heater tanks are protected from the corrosive effects of hot water by an exclusive enamel lining. The exclusive Vitraglas enamel lining is uniquely formulated and applied to the interior of the water heater tank.
Our test results prove that Vitraglas provides unsurpassed protection against failure when compared to other water heater linings.
The Bradford White RG1PV50S6N is in compliance with the new Energy Factor requirements for water heater manufacturers set forth by the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA).
- Standard Features:
- Advanced ScreenLok® Technology Flame Arrestor design
- Resettable thermal switch
- Maintenance free
- Pedestal base
- Sight window
- Powerful blower motor
- Factory installed Hydrojet® Total Performance System - Cold water inlet sediment reducing device helps prevent sediment build up in tank. Increases first hour delivery of hot water while minimizing temperature build up in tank.
- 1" Non-CFM Foam Installation
- ICON Features:
- Enhanced Performance
- Advanced Temperature Control System
- Intelligent Diagnostics
- Pilot On Indication
- Green LED
- Separate Immersed Thermowell
- Power Venting - venting can be horizontally, through the wall or vertically, through the roof
- Dimensions:
- A - Floor to Top of Blower: 56-3/8"
- B - Jacket Dimensions: 22"
- C - Vent Size: 2" or 3"
- D - Floor to T&P Connection: 40-5/8"
- E - Floor to Gas Connection: 11-1/2"
- F - Floor to Top of Heater: 48-3/16"
- G - Floor to Water Connection: 50-1/2"
- H - Depth: 27-3/16"
General Features
- Rated Nominal Volume (Gallons): 50
- DOE Rated Storage Volume (Gallons): 48
- Fuel Type: Natural Gas (NG)
- Energy Star: Yes
- Connectivity: Not WiFi Compatible
Weights and Dimensions
- Overall Height (in.): 65.813
- Height (Floor To Top of Heater - in.): 57.563
- Overall Depth (in.): 27.188
- Jacket Diameter (in.): 22
- Weight (lbs.): 173
Performance
- BTU Input: 40000
- First Hour Delivery Rating (Gal.): 75
- Uniform Energy Factor (UEF): 0.72
- Recovery at 90°F Rise (GPH): 43
- Recovery Efficiency: 80%
Venting and Connection Requirements
- Venting: Power Vent
- Vent Size (in.): 2" or 3"
- Venting Orientation: Horizontal or Vertical
- Water Connection Size (in.):
- 3/4" NPT
- Gas Connection Size (in.): 1/2"
Electrical Requirements
- Voltage 110-120V
- Amps: 3.1
- Cord Length (ft.): 10"
Understanding the Practical Sizing Example Provided
Why the 85-Gallon Peak Demand Example Matters
The breakdown provided (4 showers, 1 bath, shaving, meal prep, dishes, laundry = 85 gallons) is a genuinely useful tool for helping customers self-assess their actual hot water needs rather than guessing based on tank size alone. Worth highlighting to customers: this specific 40,000 BTU model has a 75-78 gallon First Hour Delivery — meaning it falls just short of comfortably covering that 85-gallon example household. If a customer's actual usage resembles this example, our technicians should discuss whether the higher-BTU 50,000 model (elsewhere in this lineup) or careful usage timing (staggering showers/laundry) makes more sense.
Millivolt Ignition vs. Power Vent Blower: Two Separate Systems
It's worth clarifying to customers that this unit actually combines two different power approaches:
- Gas valve ignition — millivolt-powered via the ICON System's thermopile, doesn't need external electricity to ignite and control the burner
- Blower motor for venting — requires standard 110-120V household power to actively vent exhaust gases
This means that while the ignition system doesn't need electricity, the complete unit absolutely does — because without the blower running, the power-vent system can't safely exhaust combustion gases. This unit will not operate during a power outage, despite the millivolt ignition language, since the blower is a required safety component for power venting.
Short Profile with Standard Diameter
At 56-3/8" floor-to-blower height and a 22" jacket diameter, this "short" configuration trades height for width compared to a taller standard-profile tank — useful for installations with limited ceiling clearance (crawlspaces, low utility closets) while maintaining reasonable capacity.
Detailed Connection Height Reference
The itemized connection heights (T&P at 40-5/8", gas at 11-1/2", water at 50-1/2") are genuinely useful for pre-installation planning — allowing our technicians to verify existing plumbing and gas rough-in heights align with this specific model before committing to installation, reducing the chance of unexpected retrofit work.
43 GPH Recovery Rate: What It Means in Practice
The 43 gallons per hour recovery rate at a 90°F rise tells you how quickly the tank replenishes hot water after the initial tank volume is used — relevant for households with back-to-back hot water demand (like the peak demand example above) where recovery speed matters as much as total tank size.
Professional Installation Matters
Given the power-vent blower's electrical requirements and the specific connection height dimensions, professional installation ensures proper fit and code-compliant electrical connection. Our licensed plumbers will:
- Verify your gas, water, and T&P connection heights align with this model's dimensions
- Complete the 110-120V electrical connection for the blower motor
- Route horizontal or vertical venting per your installation space
- Test blower operation and confirm proper combustion venting
- Walk through the peak demand example above to help you assess whether 40,000 BTU capacity meets your household's actual needs
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this water heater's ignition system work without electricity?
The gas valve ignition itself is millivolt-powered, but the required blower motor for power venting needs 110-120V household power — so the complete unit will not operate during a power outage.
How do I know if 75-78 gallons of First Hour Delivery is enough for my household?
Use the peak demand breakdown provided (showers, baths, dishes, laundry) to estimate your household's actual busiest-hour usage, then compare against this model's rating; our technicians can help calculate this more precisely for your specific household.
Is the "short" configuration less capacity than a standard-height tank?
Not necessarily — the short/wide configuration can maintain similar capacity to a taller tank while requiring less vertical clearance; confirm total gallon capacity rather than height alone when comparing models.
High-Capacity Power Vent Performance: Flexible Sidewall Venting & Abundant Hot Water for Busy Homes
When your busy household requires a high-capacity 50-gallon hot water supply but your home lacks a traditional vertical masonry chimney or requires flexible installation options away from a standard flue, the Bradford White 50 Gallon Power Vent Gas Water Heater (RG2PV50T) provides the ultimate engineered solution. Featuring a quiet, high-efficiency blower motor mounted on top of the unit, this commercial-grade residential water heater forcefully exhausts combustion gases through PVC, ABS, or CPVC piping horizontally out a sidewall or vertically through the roof. Built in the USA with Bradford White's exclusive Vitraglas® enamel tank lining, an optimized Hydrojet® Total Performance System to prevent sediment accumulation, and managed by the intelligent ICON System® gas control valve with electronic diagnostics, it delivers elite efficiency, safety, and reliability. Call our certified plumbing specialists at (224) 754-1984 for expert power vent installation, emergency tank replacement, or professional maintenance:
Flexible Sidewall Venting: Blower-assisted power venting allows long pipe runs through PVC, ABS, or CPVC, eliminating the need for a traditional metal chimney stack.
High-Capacity 50-Gallon Storage: Provides abundant hot water recovery for 3 to 6 person larger homes with multiple bathrooms and heavy simultaneous appliance usage.
Exclusive Vitraglas® Tank Lining: High-purity porcelain enamel coating fused directly to heavy-gauge steel for superior protection against aggressive water corrosion.
Hydrojet® Sediment Reduction System: Cold water inlet pipe generates turbulent jet action to prevent mineral scale accumulation, preserving heating efficiency.
ICON System® Intelligent Gas Control: Advanced electronic gas valve with microprocessor control provides precise temperature management, LED diagnostics, and safe electronic ignition.
Bradford White 50 Gallon Power Vent Gas Water Heater Technical Specifications
Engineered for professional installation in modern residential basements, utility rooms, or mechanical closets:
Technical Parameter Feature & Specification Details Operational Advantage Manufacturer & Model Bradford White Defender Power Vent (RG2PV50T) Premium trade-exclusive high-capacity power-vented natural gas water heater. Storage Capacity 50 Gallons Ideal high-capacity hot water volume for larger families. Heating Input Rate 50,000 to 55,000 BTU/h (Natural Gas / Propane) High burner input ensures rapid recovery rates and steady hot water output. First Hour Delivery (FHD) Up to 94 - 100 Gallons Supplies massive hot water volume during peak morning shower demand. Venting Requirements 2", 3", or 4" PVC, ABS, or CPVC (Sidewall or Roof) Offers flexible installation routing up to 180+ feet. Electrical Requirement 120V AC, 60 Hz, 3-prong plug (Standard outlet) Powers the integrated exhaust blower motor and electronic ignition.
Key Benefits of Upgrading to a Bradford White 50 Gallon Power Vent Water Heater
Integrating a pro-grade 50-gallon power vent Bradford White gas water heater into your home infrastructure delivers immediate practical benefits:
Ultimate Installation Flexibility: Can be installed in finished basements, utility closets, or interior rooms without needing access to a vertical metal chimney stack.
Enhanced Safety & Combustion: Active blower motor ensures that exhaust gases and carbon monoxide are forcefully and safely expelled outdoors, preventing indoor draft failures.
Trade-Quality Heavy-Duty Build: Unlike consumer-grade retail tanks with plastic drain components, Bradford White utilizes robust brass drain valves and commercial-grade steel construction.
Proven Long-Term Durability: Engineered to withstand harsh water chemistry and heavy daily usage, lasting 8 to 12+ years with proper professional maintenance.
Our Step-by-Step Bradford White 50 Gallon Power Vent Installation Process
Site & Vent Route Planning: Assessing electrical outlet availability, gas supply sizing, and plotting the most efficient PVC sidewall or roof venting path.
Old Water Heater Draining & Removal: Safely shutting off electrical power and gas lines, draining the legacy tank, disconnecting plumbing, and hauling away the old unit.
Tank Placement & Leveling: Positioning the new Bradford White 50-gallon power vent tank on a level surface with a drain pan and a thermal expansion tank.
PVC Venting, Gas & Plumbing Hookup: Installing code-compliant PVC intake/exhaust piping through the sidewall, running gas supply lines, and connecting copper/PEX water pipes.
Commissioning & Blower Testing: Plugging in the electrical cord, filling the tank, verifying electronic ignition, testing blower pressure switches, and setting water temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bradford White 50 Gallon Power Vent Gas Water Heater
Q: When should I choose a 50-gallon power vent water heater instead of a standard atmospheric model?
A: A power vent model is required if your home does not have a traditional vertical chimney near the water heater location, or if you prefer flexible PVC sidewall venting. A 50-gallon capacity is ideal for homes with 3 or more bathrooms and 4 to 6 residents.
Q: Does a power vent water heater operate during a power outage?
A: No. Because it relies on an integrated electric blower motor and electronic control valve to operate safely, it requires a standard 120V electrical outlet and will not function during a power blackout unless connected to a backup generator.
Q: How far can the PVC vent pipe run on a Bradford White 50-gallon power vent unit?
A: Depending on the pipe diameter (typically 2-inch or 3-inch PVC/ABS) and the number of elbows used, power vent systems can run up to 180 feet, allowing exceptional flexibility in routing.
Q: What should I do if my power vent water heater locks out or flashes an error code?
A: Flashing error codes usually indicate a blocked vent pipe, a pressure switch issue, or a blower fault. Check your exterior PVC vent termination for obstructions (such as leaves or snow), and if the error persists, call our 24/7 emergency plumbing team for professional diagnosis.
Bradford White Corporation, headquartered in Ambler, Pennsylvania, is an American-owned and employee owned, full-line manufacturer of residential and commercial and industrial products for water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage applications. The corporation's manufacturing facilities are in Middleville, Michigan and Niles, MI, and Rochester, NH. The water heaters were patented by Gerald E White from the years 1933–1938. The company is among the largest American manufacturers of water heaters, competing with companies such as Rheem and A. O. Smith. Bradford White Corporation is made up of Bradford White Water Heaters, Bradford White – Canada, Laars Heating Systems, and Niles Steel Tank
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