Bradford White · PowerStor Series single-wall indirect (SW-2) · Indirect tank
Bradford White SW-2-50R-L
The Bradford White SW-2-50R-L is a 43 US gallon (163 L) single-wall indirect water heater rated for 210 US gallons of first-hour delivery at 135 °F against a 120,000 BTU/h heat source, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. A boiler, not a burner, heats its coil.
Key figures
- Nominal capacity
- 43 US gal (36 Imp. gal, 163 L)
- First-hour delivery
- 210 US gal (795 L)
- Input
- —
- Efficiency
- —
Nominal volume, rated volume and first-hour delivery are different figures; size by first-hour delivery.
Bradford White SW-2-50R-L in practice
The SW-2-50R-L is the 50-class member of the Canadian PowerStor single-wall indirect line, the usual choice beside a residential boiler with output to spare: 43 gallons of storage, a 210 US gallon (795 L) first-hour rating at 135 °F on the sheet's 120,000 BTU/h basis, and a 46 1/4 in (1175 mm) height that suits most mechanical rooms.
Because the boiler reheats the tank through the coil as water is drawn, this tank's delivery is set by the boiler's output and priority control rather than by the storage alone, which is why the assessment pairs the tank with the actual boiler rather than matching model numbers. Single-wall construction separates the two waters by one metal wall, a code consideration in some jurisdictions. Whether CANRO supplies this tank for a job is confirmed at consultation.
Best suited to
- Boiler-equipped homes wanting a 50-class indirect tank for a family-sized first hour
- High simultaneous delivery from a boiler with output to support the rating
- Boiler-replacement projects adding domestic hot water to the hydronic design
Limitations to know
- Requires a suitable boiler with the output the rating assumes
- Single-wall coil: double-wall separation is the PowerStor2 alternative where required
- Hot water depends on the boiler being in service
- Sizing and control are hydronic design work, not catalogue lookup
Applicability and support
- Model number
- SW-2-50R-L
- Variants on this page
- None
- Canadian availability
- available
- Production status
- current
- CANRO supplies
- Confirmed at consultation
- CANRO services
- Confirmed at consultation
- Recirculation
- Yes, external pump and piping required
- Warranty
- Series terms
An indirect tank can serve a recirculation loop with an external pump and return connection; the loop is designed at consultation with the boiler controls.
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 capacity | 43 US gal (36 Imp. gal, 163 L) | Canadian sheet C554. Nominal, not the tested storage volume. |
Delivery and recovery 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| First-hour delivery at 135 °F (57 °C) | 210 US gal (795 L) | AHRI indirect rating on the sheet, tied to the stated minimum heat source; not comparable with direct-fired first-hour ratings. |
| Continuous draw rating at 135 °F (57 °C) | 180 US gal/h (681 L/h) | Per the sheet's AHRI table. |
Flow (tankless) 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Coil flow rate | 13.7 US gal/min (51.8 L/min) at not a heating rise: coil capacity limit rise | Maximum flow the sheet lists for the coil circuit. |
Connections 2
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| T&P connection | Factory-tapped; relief valve fitted at installation | |
| Water connections | Potable connections per the sheet's typical configuration | The sheet shows typical potable connection layout for the family. |
Physical 3
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Height to top of heater | 46 1/4 in (1175 mm) | |
| Jacket diameter | 22 in (559 mm) | |
| Shipping weight | 195 lb (89 kg) |
Operating limits 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum output rate of heat source | 120,000 BTU/h (35.0 kW) | Minimum boiler output the sheet pairs with this tank for the rating. |
Other 1
| Specification | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Anode rod | Anode configurations listed per model on the sheet |
Manuals
- Canadian specification sheet C554 — PowerStor Series Residential Single-Wall Indirect Water HeaterC554-1125 · 2025 · Canadian
- Limited Residential Water Heater Warranty238-39699-00ZAN
Maintenance the manufacturer specifies
- Inspect the anode rod periodically and replace when depleted; more often with softened water.
- Operate the T&P relief valve at least once a year to check it lifts and reseats without leaking.
- Have the boiler-side and potable-side service done together: coil performance depends on both systems.
- Check the mixing-valve setting against the 49 °C fixture limit where one is fitted.
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 SW-2-50R-L sold in Canada?
Yes. The PowerStor single-wall family is listed on Bradford White's Canadian pages with spec sheet C554. Bradford White sells only through wholesalers, so it is supplied and installed by contractors such as CANRO.
How big a boiler does this tank need?
The sheet's rating assumes a minimum 120,000 BTU/h heat source. The assessment confirms the boiler's output and its ability to prioritize domestic hot water before sizing from the sheet.
Is an indirect tank quieter than a direct-fired one?
The tank itself makes no combustion noise; the boiler provides the heat. Indirect installations are chosen for recovery and longevity rather than for sound.
Questions about the Bradford White SW-2-50R-L?
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 C554-1125 · C554-1125 · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
- Bradford White For The Pro — PowerStor Series Single Wall Indirect (SW-2), Canada · Canadian source · accessed September 7, 2026
Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.