Bradford White Compact 30-Gallon Gas Water Heater

The Bradford White Compact 30-Gallon Gas Water Heater (M-I-30S6FBN) is the small-footprint gas tank for 1–2 person households, vacation cabins, ADUs, and tight closet installs. Same Defender FVIR burner technology as the residential 50G line, scaled to 30-gallon volume and lower-height form factor. Atmospheric venting, 6-year warranty.

Headline specifications

• Capacity: 30 gallons
• Fuel: Natural gas, atmospheric vent
• BTU input: 32,000 BTU/h
• First Hour Delivery: 60 GPH
• Recovery: 32 GPH at 90°F rise
• UEF: 0.61
• Warranty: 6-year tank/parts
• Anode: magnesium
• Dimensions: 49" H × 18" diameter

Who this model is for

Right buyer profile: 1–2 person households on natural gas, vacation cabins with intermittent use, ADUs / mother-in-law suites / garage apartments serving 1–2 occupants, retrofit installs where existing 30G atmospheric is being replaced like-for-like, ranch homes built in the 1960s–1980s that came spec'd with 30G atmospheric and have closet door clearance that won't accept a 50G.

For 2–3 person regular-use households, step up to 40G or 50G. The 30G's compact footprint is a feature for tight installs but a constraint for capacity-needy households.

Where it beats the alternatives

Vs AO Smith Conservationist 30G Electric ($499): Bradford White gas is cheaper to operate (~$180–$220/year vs $300–$400 electric at typical 1–2 person demand). Upfront cost similar. Choose gas if you have existing natural gas service; choose electric if all-electric service.

Vs Rheem Performance 30 Gas ($519): spec-near-equivalent. Rheem 6-year warranty + Home Depot availability. Bradford White 6-year + plumber channel. Tie-breaker on shopping preference.

Vs EcoSmart ECO 18 tankless electric ($549): tankless electric needs heavy 240V service. For 1–2 person ADU with existing gas line, the 30G atmospheric is simpler and uses no electricity for ignition.

Vs Bosch Tronic mini-tank (7 gallon) ($299): mini-tank is for single point-of-use only. The 30G handles full bathroom + kitchen for 1–2 occupants.

Where it falls short

60 GPH FHD is the limit. Two showers within an hour will run cold. Plan around the recovery rate.

0.61 UEF is class-baseline. Operating cost runs $180–$220/year for 1–2 person households.

32,000 BTU input is sub-class — recovery is slower than 40,000 BTU 40G or 50G models. If your hot-water use is concentrated in evening peak, the slow recovery may surprise you.

Atmospheric venting requires chimney or flue access. Manufactured homes need power-vent variant (not this model).

Install considerations

49" height + 18" diameter fits very tight closet installs that won't accept 50G (typically 60"+ × 22"). Existing 30G atmospheric: direct swap, no plumbing/venting changes. 1/2" gas line.

Install cost: $350–$750 like-for-like. The compact footprint often saves install cost where 50G would require enlarging the closet opening.

Maintenance

• Annual flush
• Anode check year 3, replace year 5
• T&P valve test annually
• Burner inspection every 2 years

Bottom line

The Bradford White Compact 30G is the small-footprint gas pick for 1–2 person households, ADUs, vacation cabins, and tight closets. 60 GPH FHD, 6-year warranty, Defender FVIR-compliant burner. For all-electric service at this capacity, the AO Smith Conservationist 30G Electric is the parallel pick. Larger households should step up to 40G or 50G regardless of fuel.