Bradford White RG2DV50S6N-FLX 50 Gallon, Short, Direct Vent Water Heater, Natural Gas
The Bradford White RG2DV50S6N is a 50 gallon direct vent hot water heater. It uses a co-axial vent pipe with an inner dimension of 3" and an outer dimension of 5". The pipe inside a pipe configuration allows for air intake through one pipe (the outer pipe) and exhaust/combustion directly back outside though the other (the inner pipe). The hot water heater comes with a flexible vent kit.
This tank is 72-1/2" from the floor to the C/L of Vent and the floor to the top of the heater is 59-3/16". The jacket diameter is 22" wide, the depth of the heater is 31". This hot water heater features an input of 42,000 BTUs, and has a First Hour Rating or First Hour Delivery of 77 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 88 gallon peak demand might look like this:
- 4 showers (10 x 4 = 40 gallons)
- 1 bath (15 x 1 = 15 gallons)
- 2 shaves (2 x 2= 4 gallons)
- 3 hand dishwashing (4 x 3 = 12 gallons)
- 1 meal prep (4 x 1 = 4 gallons)
- 1 dishwasher run (6 x 1 = 6 gallons)
- 1 load of laundry (7 x 1 = 7 gallons)
This household would probably want a hot water heater with a first hour rating of between 86 and 90 gallons.
Another important feature when choosing a hot water heater is the Recovery Rise. A 90° recovery rise for this tank is about 45 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.
- Standard Features:
- Co-axial venting - can be rotated
- Closed combustion
- 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.
- Vitraglas lining
- Magnesium anode rod
- Cast aluminum air intake boot
- T&P valve
- Brass drain valve
- 2" non-CFC foam insulation
- ICON Features:
- Enhanced Performance
- Advanced Temperature Control System
- Intelligent Diagnostics
- Pilot On Indication
- Green LED
- Separate Immersed Thermowell
- Dimensions:
- A - Floor to C/L of Vent: 72-1/2"
General Features
- Rated Nominal Volume (Gallons): 50
- DOE Rated Storage Volume (Gallons): 47
- Fuel Type: Natural Gas (NG)
- Energy Star: No
- Connectivity: Not WiFi Compatible
Weights and Dimensions
- Overall Height (in.): 72.5
- Height (Floor To Top of Heater - in.): 59.188
- Overall Depth (in.): 31
- Jacket Diameter (in.): 22
- Weight (lbs.): 212
Performance
- BTU Input: 42000
- First Hour Delivery Rating (Gal.): 77
- Uniform Energy Factor (UEF): 0.64
- Recovery at 90°F Rise (GPH): 45
- Recovery Efficiency: 78%
Venting and Connection Requirements
- Venting: Direct Vent
- Vent Size (in.): 3" / 5"
- Water Connection Size (in.): 3/4" NPT
- Gas Connection Size (in.): 1/2"
-
- B - Jacket Dimensions: 22"
- C - Vent Size: I.D. - 3" / O.D. - 5"
- D - Floor to T&P Connection: 52-1/4"
- E - Floor to Gas Connection: 13"
- F - Floor to Top of Heater: 59-3/16"
- G - Floor to Water Connection: 60-1/8"
- H - Depth: 31"
Understanding Direct Vent: A Third Venting Category
How Direct Vent Differs from Both Atmospheric and Power Vent
This model introduces a third venting approach beyond the atmospheric and power-vent models elsewhere in this catalog: direct vent uses a co-axial (pipe-within-a-pipe) vent — the outer pipe draws combustion air in from outside, while the inner pipe exhausts combustion gases back outside, creating a fully closed combustion system that draws no air from inside your home at all.
This is a meaningful distinction:
- Atmospheric vent — draws combustion air from the surrounding room, requires adequate room air supply
- Power vent — draws room air but uses a blower to force exhaust out, requiring electricity
- Direct vent (this model) — draws air from outside through the co-axial pipe, uses no room air and requires no blower motor
Why This Matters for Certain Installations
Because direct vent systems don't draw combustion air from inside the home, they're particularly well suited to:
- Tightly sealed, energy-efficient homes where indoor air supply for atmospheric combustion may be limited
- Smaller mechanical closets where adequate combustion air volume would otherwise be a code concern
- Installations near living spaces where combustion byproducts drawn from room air could be a concern
No Blower, No Electricity Dependency
Unlike the power-vent models, this direct-vent unit doesn't rely on a blower motor — meaning millivolt-powered ignition genuinely applies here without the same caveat we've flagged on the power-vent pages, since there's no electrically-dependent blower required for safe venting.
Rotatable Co-Axial Venting: Installation Flexibility
The rotatable co-axial vent allows installers to orient the vent termination in different directions relative to the unit itself — useful for adapting to specific wall or roof penetration requirements without needing a completely different unit configuration.
Understanding the 88-Gallon Peak Demand Example
The peak demand breakdown provided (4 showers, 1 bath, shaves, dishes, laundry = 88 gallons) is worth using directly with customers to help them self-assess against this unit's 77-gallon First Hour Delivery rating — in this case, the example household would need a unit closer to the 86-90 gallon range, meaning this particular 50-gallon direct vent model would likely fall just short for that specific usage pattern. This is a useful, honest sizing tool to walk through with prospective customers rather than assuming bigger is always available or needed.
Professional Installation Matters
Because direct vent systems require careful co-axial pipe installation and outside air intake routing, professional installation is essential for proper, safe operation. Our licensed plumbers will:
- Confirm co-axial vent routing to an appropriate exterior termination point
- Verify the flexible vent kit accommodates your specific installation distance
- Complete water and gas connections per the connection height diagram
- Test the ICON System and closed-combustion operation
- Compare your household's peak demand against this unit's 77-gallon rating to confirm proper sizing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an electric or gas water heater?
Despite this page's title, the actual product specified is a natural gas, direct-vent water heater — not electric. If you're specifically looking for an electric model, ask about the 40-gallon or Tall electric options elsewhere in this catalog.
Does direct vent use my home's indoor air for combustion?
No — that's the key distinction of direct vent; combustion air is drawn from outside through the co-axial pipe's outer chamber, keeping the system fully closed from your indoor air.
Will this unit work during a power outage?
Yes — since it has no blower motor requirement (unlike power-vent models), the millivolt-powered ICON ignition system will continue to function without external electricity.
High-Capacity Space-Saver: Abundant Electric Hot Water for Low-Clearance Utility Spaces
When your busy household requires a high-capacity 50-gallon electric hot water supply but your utility room features a low basement ceiling, narrow alcove, or cramped closet where a standard tall electric tank won't fit, the Bradford White 50 Gallon Short Electric Water Heater (RE2M50X6 / Equivalent) is the ultimate engineered solution. Featuring a shorter, wider footprint designed specifically for restricted installation clearances without sacrificing heating efficiency or recovery rate, this commercial-grade residential unit delivers reliable hot water for larger families. Built in the USA with Bradford White's exclusive Vitraglas® enamel tank lining, dual heavy-duty direct-immersion heating elements, and a robust sacrificial anode rod, it offers elite resistance to corrosion and thermal stress. Call our certified plumbing specialists at (224) 754-1984 for expert tight-space installation, emergency tank replacement, or routine maintenance:
Space-Saving Low-Profile Design: Shorter height and wider diameter allow seamless installation in low-clearance basements, closets, and tight utility corners.
Exclusive Vitraglas® Tank Lining: High-purity porcelain enamel coating fused directly to the heavy-gauge steel tank for superior protection against aggressive water corrosion.
Dual Heavy-Duty Heating Elements: Direct-immersion copper or Incoloy heating elements provide rapid thermal recovery and efficient electricity utilization.
Advanced Thermostat Control: Factory-installed surface-mounted thermostats offer accurate, reliable water temperature management with built-in high-limit safety cutoffs.
Heavy-Duty Anode Rod: High-capacity magnesium anode rod provides superior cathodic protection to extend internal tank lifespan.
Bradford White 50 Gallon Short Electric Water Heater Technical Specifications
Engineered for professional installation in restrictive residential utility spaces and low-ceiling basements:
Technical Parameter Feature & Specification Details Operational Advantage Manufacturer & Model Bradford White Residential Electric Short (RE2M50X6) Premium trade-exclusive high-capacity compact electric water heater. Storage Capacity 50 Gallons (Compact Low-Profile Footprint) Delivers high-volume 50-gallon output in a shortened physical height. Heating Elements Dual 4500W / 240V (Standard configurable wattage) Provides efficient simultaneous or non-simultaneous water heating. First Hour Delivery (FHD) Up to 62 - 68 Gallons Supplies abundant hot water during peak family usage hours. Venting Requirements None Required (Zero emissions / Electric operation) Allows flexible indoor placement without chimneys or flues. Electrical Requirement 240V AC, Dedicated 30A Circuit with armored conduit Standard residential electric water heater electrical hookup.
Key Benefits of Upgrading to a Bradford White 50 Gallon Short Electric Water Heater
Integrating a pro-grade space-saver 50-gallon Bradford White electric water heater into your home infrastructure delivers immediate practical benefits:
Solves Low-Ceiling Clearance Challenges: Fits effortlessly into awkward architectural spaces where standard tall 50-gallon electric water heaters simply cannot clear overhead pipes or beams.
Trade-Quality Heavy-Duty Build: Unlike retail big-box tanks with plastic drain components, Bradford White utilizes robust brass drain valves and commercial-grade steel construction.
Maintains Full High-Capacity Output: You do not have to compromise on hot water volume due to ceiling height restrictions; get a full 50 gallons of storage in a compact body.
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 Short Electric Installation Process
Clearance & Electrical Assessment: Measuring exact vertical clearances in your utility closet and verifying dedicated 240V circuit amperage and wire gauge.
Old Water Heater Draining & Removal: Safely shutting off electrical breaker power, draining the legacy tank, disconnecting wiring/plumbing, and hauling away the old unit.
Tank Placement & Leveling: Positioning the compact Bradford White 50-gallon short tank on a level surface with a secure drain pan and thermal expansion tank.
Electrical & Water Line Hookup: Connecting 240V wiring inside the junction box using conduit/clamps and hooking up copper/PEX water supply lines.
Commissioning & Element Testing: Filling the tank completely with water before turning on power (to prevent dry-fire element burnout), checking for leaks, and setting thermostats.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bradford White 50 Gallon Short Electric Water Heater
Q: What is the main advantage of a 50-gallon short electric model compared to a standard tall model?
A: The primary difference is physical dimensions. A short (stubby) model is shorter in height and wider in diameter than a standard tall tank, allowing homeowners with low basement ceilings or tight closets to enjoy a full 50-gallon hot water capacity.
Q: Does a short 50-gallon electric water heater produce less hot water than a tall one?
A: No. It holds the exact same 50 gallons of water and uses the same standard dual 4500W heating elements, ensuring identical hot water recovery performance and heating efficiency.
Q: Why is it critical to fill an electric water heater with water before turning on the power?
A: Electric heating elements generate intense heat instantly. If the tank is empty when power is applied, the upper element will "dry fire" and burn out within seconds. Our licensed plumbers always ensure the tank is fully pressurized and bled of air before energizing.
Q: What is the average lifespan of a Bradford White short electric water heater?
A: With professional installation, proper thermal expansion control, and routine annual maintenance (such as flushing sediment and inspecting the anode rod), a Bradford White electric water heater typically lasts 8 to 12+ years.
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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