Bradford White · Atmospheric vent fan assist Defender (RG2F) · Gas storage tank
Bradford White RG2F50S6N
The Bradford White RG2F50S6N is a 50 US gallon (189 L) fan-assist atmospheric-vent natural gas storage water heater with a 38,000 BTU/h input, 76 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.68, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. A blower helps a marginal chimney draft.
Key figures
- Nominal capacity
- 50 US gal (42 Imp. gal, 189 L)
- First-hour delivery
- 76 US gal (288 L)
- Input
- 38,000 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 RG2F50S6N in practice
The RG2F50S6N is the 50-gallon member of the fan-assist Defender line, storing 50 US gallons in a short form with a 24 in (610 mm) jacket. At a 38,000 BTU/h input its first-hour rating of 76 US gallons (288 L) is within a gallon of the tall standard-input tanks, while the blower-assisted draft lets it work with a marginal chimney that a natural-draft unit would struggle to use.
It is a Defender Safety System flammable-vapour-ignition-resistant tank with the ICON electronic control, no standing pilot, and a medium-draw UEF of 0.68. The blower and control need 120 VAC, so hot water stops during an outage. Inputs are 38,000 BTU/h on natural gas and propane. Whether CANRO stocks this model for a given job is confirmed at consultation.
Best suited to
- Homes with a marginal chimney and a low ceiling that need a 50 US gal tank
- Like-for-like replacement of an existing 50 US gal fan-assist tank
- Households of three to four people where the flue cannot take a plain atmospheric unit
Limitations to know
- Requires a 120 VAC receptacle and a suitable chimney or B-vent; no hot water during an outage
- Blower 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
- RG2F50S6N
- Variants on this page
- RG2F50S6X (Propane); RG2F50S10N (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 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rated nominal volume | 50 US gal (42 Imp. gal, 189 L) | Canadian sheet C1124. Nominal, not the tested storage volume. |
Delivery and recovery 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| First-hour rating | 76 US gal (288 L) | Single column on C1124, not fuel-specific. Based on AHRI directory listing. |
| Recovery at 90 °F (50 °C) rise | 41 US gal/h (155 L/h) | Natural gas and propane inputs are equal on this model. |
Input 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Input, natural gas | 38,000 BTU/h | 11.1 kW. |
| Input, propane (RG2F50S6X) | 38,000 BTU/h | 11.1 kW. |
Efficiency 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw | 0.68 | Per AHRI listing cited on C1124. 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 | "Snap Lock" 3x4 draft diverter into a chimney or B-vent, with blower-assisted draft. |
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 supply required for the draft-assist blower and ICON control | No hot water during a power outage. |
Physical 3
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Height to top of heater | 48 in (1219 mm) | 55 1/4 in (1403 mm) to the exhaust connection. |
| Jacket diameter | 24 in (610 mm) | Depth 27 7/8 in (708 mm) including fittings. |
| Shipping weight | 176 lb (80 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 RG2F50S6N sold in Canada?
Yes. It is listed on Bradford White's Canadian residential gas page and on Canadian spec sheet C1124. Bradford White sells only through wholesalers, so it is supplied and installed by contractors such as CANRO.
Why is the 50-gallon UEF lower than the 40-gallon?
The larger tank carries more surface area and standby loss at the same 38,000 BTU/h input, so the sheet rates the 50-gallon model 0.68 against the 40-gallon's 0.70.
Can the RG2F50S6N run on propane?
The propane version is the RG2F50S6X with the same 38,000 BTU/h input per the Canadian sheet. Order the correct fuel version; fuel conversion is not a field procedure.
Questions about the Bradford White RG2F50S6N?
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 C1124 · C1124 · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
- Bradford White — Residential Gas Water Heaters Canada · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
- Bradford White For The Pro — Atmospheric Vent Fan Assist Gas, Canada · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.