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Comparison

Bradford White RG240T6N (atmospheric 40 gal) vs RG2PV40S6N19 (power vent 40 gal)

Verdict in brief

The same 40 US gallons and 40,000 BTU/h, vented two ways: the RG240T6N breathes through a chimney with no electricity and UEF 0.64; the RG2PV40S6N19 blows through plastic pipe to a wall with a 120 VAC supply and UEF 0.72. With a working chimney the atmospheric tank is the lower-cost, outage-proof choice; without one, the power vent is the standard answer.

Side by side

Published manufacturer figures with units. Storage and flow figures are different measures and are shown on their own rows; blanks mean not applicable or not published.

Comparison of Bradford White RG240T6N and Bradford White RG2PV40S6N19
SpecificationBradford White RG240T6NGas storage tankBradford White RG2PV40S6N19Gas storage tank
Rated nominal volume40 US gal (33 Imp. gal, 151 L)40 US gal (33 Imp. gal, 151 L)
First-hour rating75 US gal (284 L)75 US gal (284 L)
Recovery at 90 °F (50 °C) rise, natural gas43 US gal/h (36 Imp. gal/h, 163 L/h)44 US gal/h (37 Imp. gal/h, 167 L/h)
Input, natural gas40,000 BTU/h40,000 BTU/h
Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), medium draw0.640.72
Vent connection3 in or 4 in (76 or 102 mm) draft hood2 in, 3 in or 4 in (51, 76 or 102 mm) PVC, ABS, CPVC or polypropylene
Maximum equivalent vent length—50 ft (15.2 m) in 2 in; 120 ft (36.6 m) in 3 in; 200 ft (61.0 m) in 4 in
Electrical supplyNone required (millivolt control powered by the pilot thermopile)120 VAC, 60 Hz, 3.1 A
Height to top of heater56 5/8 in (1438 mm)47 3/16 in (1199 mm)
Jacket diameter20 in (508 mm)22 in (559 mm)
Shipping weight134 lb (61 kg)142 lb (64 kg)

“—” means not applicable to that system type or not published by the manufacturer. Flow figures are only comparable at the same temperature rise; UEF values are only comparable within the same draw pattern.

What actually separates them

The deciding question is the chimney. The RG240T6N needs a sound chimney or B-vent sized for a 3 in or 4 in draft hood, plus combustion air from the room, and it keeps heating through power outages because the millivolt control runs on the pilot's thermopile. The power vent model needs none of that: its blower pushes exhaust up to 200 equivalent feet of 4 in PVC-family pipe to a wall or roof termination, but it needs a dedicated 120 VAC circuit and stops when the power is out.

The power vent's electronic ignition removes the standing pilot, which shows up as UEF 0.72 against 0.64 for the atmospheric tank at the same 40,000 BTU/h input and same medium-draw test basis. Neither reaches ENERGY STAR's 0.81 threshold for this size.

Dimensions differ more than capacity: the atmospheric tank stands 56 5/8 in tall in a 20 in jacket; the power vent short form stands 47 3/16 in to the top of the heater (55 7/16 in over the blower) in a 22 in jacket. The power vent is the shorter installation where ceiling height is tight.

Repair economics differ too: the power vent carries a blower and electronic control that the atmospheric tank simply does not have, while the atmospheric tank depends on the condition of a chimney that may itself need work. That trade is part of the replacement decision.

Bradford White · Gas storage tank

Bradford White RG240T6N

CurrentSold in Canada
Nominal capacity
40 US gal (33 Imp. gal, 151 L)
First-hour delivery
75 US gal (284 L)
Input
40,000 BTU/h

The Bradford White RG240T6N is a 40 US gallon (151 L) atmospheric-vent natural gas storage water heater with a 40,000 BTU/h input, 75 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.64, sold in Canada through wholesale channels. It is the like-for-like replacement for most 40-gallon gas tanks in older Metro Vancouver homes.

Natural gasPropaneAtmospheric (draft hood)
Specifications, manuals and service

Bradford White · Gas storage tank

Bradford White RG2PV40S6N19

CurrentSold in Canada
Nominal capacity
40 US gal (33 Imp. gal, 151 L)
First-hour delivery
75 US gal (284 L)
Input
40,000 BTU/h

The Bradford White RG2PV40S6N19 is a 40 US gallon (151 L) through-the-wall power vent natural gas storage water heater with a 40,000 BTU/h input, 75 US gallon first-hour rating and UEF 0.72, sold in Canada under the current 19-suffix model numbers. It needs no chimney.

Natural gasPropanePower vent
Specifications, manuals and service

Frequently asked questions

I have a chimney. Why would I choose the power vent?

If the chimney is lined, shared or deteriorated and relining is expensive, a power vent with a short plastic run to the nearest wall can cost less to install overall, even though the unit itself costs more.

Does the power vent really use less gas?

Its UEF 0.72 versus 0.64 reflects the removal of the standing pilot and better control; expect the difference to show in standby rather than in large draws, since the burners are identical.

Not sure which one fits your home?

A consultation includes a hot-water demand review so capacity is right for your winter, not the brochure's.

On-site service in Metro Vancouver, BC. Call to check availability.

Call 604-359-1081Request a consultation

Related

Sources and verification

Facts checked September 7, 2026. Last updated September 7, 2026. Technical reviewer: not yet assigned.

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