Eco-Defender is Bradford White's Ultra Low NOx atmospheric gas line — required in California SCAQMD, San Joaquin Valley, BAAQMD, and other jurisdictions where ≤14 ng/J NOx emissions are mandated by code.
The Eco-Defender lineup
What Eco-Defender is
Same Defender chassis (intake filter + FVIR burner) with an Ultra Low NOx combustion design — typically ≤14 ng/J vs ~40-60 ng/J on standard atmospheric. Required by California Air Resources Board (CARB) and similar in low-NOx jurisdictions.
Where it's required
- South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD — LA, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino counties)
- San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
- Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
- Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
- Other low-NOx jurisdictions in TX, UT, parts of AZ
Bottom line
Eco-Defender is the only Bradford White atmospheric gas allowed in California SCAQMD-controlled jurisdictions. Standard Defender will fail inspection. For non-California buyers, the standard Defender at lower cost is correct.