Bradford White Direct Vent 50-Gallon Gas Water Heater

The Bradford White Direct Vent 50-Gallon Gas is Bradford White's direct-vent residential gas tank. Direct-vent design uses sealed combustion with separate intake and exhaust pipes — air from outside is drawn in through one pipe while combustion gases exit through another.

Specs: 50 gallons stored, 40,000 BTU input, UEF 0.67, 84-gallon first-hour rating, 6-year tank and parts warranty. Sealed direct-vent combustion. ICON intelligent gas control (thermopile-powered — operates without 120V power). Vitraglas tank lining.

Direct-vent positioning is for installations where atmospheric venting isn't practical and power-vent isn't preferred:

• Tight closet installs where backdrafting risk with atmospheric is real
• Basement conversions where chimney isn't available but power-vent's fan operation isn't acceptable
• Manufactured homes / mobile homes (often code-required)
• Tight-air-sealed homes where atmospheric vent backdrafting could be an issue

Direct-vent uses two PVC or stainless steel pipes through a side wall: one inlet, one exhaust. Concentric venting (one pipe inside another) is also available on Bradford White direct-vent for tight installations.

About $2,400 plumber-installed including venting hardware. Right buyer: install scenario where direct-vent is the appropriate venting solution. Wrong buyer: typical residential atmospheric or power-vent installs (cheaper alternatives serve adequately).