Bradford White · Damper atmospheric vent Defender (RG2D) · Gas storage tank
Bradford White RG2D50S6N
The Bradford White RG2D50S6N is a 50 US gallon (189 L) damper atmospheric-vent natural gas storage water heater with a 40,000 BTU/h input, 81 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.68, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. An automatic flue damper closes during standby to cut heat loss up the chimney.
Key figures
- Nominal capacity
- 50 US gal (42 Imp. gal, 189 L)
- First-hour delivery
- 81 US gal (307 L)
- Input
- 40,000 BTU/h
- Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw
- 0.68
Nominal volume, rated volume and first-hour delivery are different figures; size by first-hour delivery.
Bradford White RG2D50S6N in practice
The RG2D50S6N is the 50-gallon member of the damper Defender line, matching the plain atmospheric RG250T6N's 81 US gallon (307 L) first-hour rating at the same 40,000 BTU/h input while adding the automatic flue damper that closes the vent passage in standby. Its medium-draw UEF of 0.68 is five points above the plain tank's 0.63, the gain the sheet credits to the damper and the no-standing-pilot ICON control.
It is a Defender Safety System flammable-vapour-ignition-resistant tank that vents by natural draft through a 3 in or 4 in draft diverter into a chimney or B-vent when firing. The damper and control run on 120 VAC from the included 10 ft (3 m) power cord, so the unit needs a receptacle and stops heating during an outage. Whether CANRO stocks this model for a given job is confirmed at consultation.
Best suited to
- Chimney-vented homes that want the highest UEF available in the atmospheric family
- Like-for-like replacement of an existing damper-equipped 50 US gal tank
- Households of three to four people with a suitable chimney and a receptacle at the tank
Limitations to know
- Requires a 120 VAC receptacle and a suitable chimney or B-vent; no hot water during an outage
- Damper motor adds a component the plain atmospheric line does not have
- UEF 0.68 is below ENERGY STAR; a condensing tank or tankless unit is more efficient
- Warranty excludes labour and anode consumption; anode inspection every 2 years is required
Applicability and support
- Model number
- RG2D50S6N
- Variants on this page
- RG2D50S6X (Propane); RG2D50S10N (10-year warranty version)
- Canadian availability
- available
- Production status
- current
- CANRO supplies
- Confirmed at consultation
- CANRO services
- Confirmed at consultation
- Recirculation
- Not published
- Warranty
- Series terms
Storage tanks can serve a recirculation loop with an external pump and return connection; Bradford White does not publish recirculation guidance for this model, so any loop is designed at consultation.
Where CANRO provides on-site service
On-site service is currently offered across Metro Vancouver: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Langley, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, White Rock, Tsawwassen; plus Anmore, Belcarra, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, Abbotsford with travel or ferry arrangements confirmed by phone. Everything else on this site is reference information you can use anywhere in Canada.
Specifications
Published specifications
Values as published by Bradford White. Manufacturer gallon and BTU/h figures are preserved with metric alongside; notes flag conflicting documents and missing figures. Groups expand for detail.
Storage capacity 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rated nominal volume | 50 US gal (42 Imp. gal, 189 L) | Canadian sheet C1120. Nominal, not the tested storage volume. |
| Rated (DOE) storage volume | 47 US gal (178 L) | Published on the Canadian sheet C1120. |
Delivery and recovery 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| First-hour rating | 81 US gal (307 L) | Single column on C1120, not fuel-specific. Based on AHRI directory listing. |
| Recovery at 90 °F (50 °C) rise | 43 US gal/h (163 L/h) | Natural gas and propane inputs are equal on this model. |
Input 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Input, natural gas | 40,000 BTU/h | 11.7 kW. |
| Input, propane (RG2D50S6X) | 40,000 BTU/h | 11.7 kW. |
Efficiency 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw | 0.68 | Per AHRI listing cited on C1120. Not ENERGY STAR (v5.0 requires UEF ≥ 0.81 for this size). |
Venting and air 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vent connection | 3 in or 4 in (76 or 102 mm) draft hood with automatic flue damper | "Snap Lock" 3x4 draft diverter into a chimney or B-vent; the damper closes during standby. |
Connections 3
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Water connections | 3/4 in NPT with dielectric waterways and heat traps | |
| Gas connection | 1/2 in (13 mm) | |
| T&P relief valve | Factory installed |
Electrical 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical supply | 120 VAC, 60 Hz (10 ft power cord included) for the automatic damper and ICON control | No hot water during a power outage. |
Physical 3
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Height to top of heater | 56 9/16 in (1437 mm) | 63 1/2 in (1613 mm) to the exhaust connection. |
| Jacket diameter | 22 in (559 mm) | Depth 26 1/8 in (664 mm) including fittings. |
| Shipping weight | 174 lb (79 kg) |
Operating limits 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Working pressure | 150 psi (1034 kPa); tested at 300 psi (2068 kPa) | |
| Certification | CSA International, ANSI Z21.10.1 / CSA 4.1 |
Other 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Anode rod | Magnesium, combined with the hot-water outlet nipple |
Manuals
Maintenance the manufacturer specifies
- Inspect the anode rod every 2 years and replace when depleted; more often with softened water (manual, Maintenance item 9).
- Operate the T&P relief valve at least once a year to check it lifts and reseats without leaking (item 6).
- Drain about a gallon monthly to remove sediment (item 7); annual inspection by a qualified technician.
- Inspect the vent system at least once a year; check burner flames twice a year (items 10 and 4).
Fault codes documented for this model
None documented yet.
Services
Hot water and scalding
- Water above 49 °C at a tap can scald in seconds, and children and older adults are at most risk. BC's plumbing code limits shower and bathtub water to 49 °C.
- Storage tanks are normally kept hotter (Health Canada advises 60 °C) to limit Legionella growth, with a thermostatic mixing valve tempering the water to the fixtures.
- Never bypass or remove a mixing valve, thermostat or high-limit control to get hotter water.
Official guidance: Government of Canada on water temperature and scalds and HealthLinkBC.
Frequently asked questions
Is the RG2D50S6N sold in Canada?
Yes. It is listed on Bradford White's Canadian residential gas page and on Canadian spec sheet C1120. Bradford White sells only through wholesalers, so it is supplied and installed by contractors such as CANRO.
How much more efficient is the damper model than the plain tank?
The sheet rates the RG2D50S6N at UEF 0.68 against 0.63 for the plain RG250T6N at the same input and capacity, a difference driven by the standby damper and electronic ignition. Both are medium-draw ratings.
Can the RG2D50S6N run on propane?
The propane version is the RG2D50S6X with the same 40,000 BTU/h input per the Canadian sheet. Order the correct fuel version; fuel conversion is not a field procedure.
Questions about the Bradford White RG2D50S6N?
Describe what the water heater is doing and get a straight answer about the next step.
On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC. Call to check availability.
Sources and verification
- Canadian spec sheet C1120 · C1120 · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
- Bradford White — Residential Gas Water Heaters Canada · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
- Bradford White For The Pro — Damper Atmospheric Vent Gas, Canada · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.