Bradford White Eco-Defender Ultra Low NOx 40-Gallon Gas Water Heater
Bradford White Eco-Defender Ultra Low NOx 40-Gallon Gas Water Heater Review
The Bradford White Eco-Defender Ultra Low NOx 40-Gallon Gas is Bradford White's California-compliant ultra-low-NOx gas tank, designed for installations in air-quality-restricted markets. The Eco-Defender designation reflects the additional emissions controls beyond standard residential gas tanks.
Specs: 40,000 BTU input, UEF 0.62, 73-gallon FHR, 6-year tank and parts warranty. Atmospheric vent through B-vent. ICON intelligent gas control (thermopile-powered, runs through power outages). Vitraglas tank lining. Premix burner technology produces NOx emissions below 14 ng/J standard.
The ultra-low-NOx requirement is code-required in California (SCAQMD), parts of Texas (Houston-Galveston area), and increasingly other US markets adopting California-style air quality standards. Most standard residential gas tanks exceed the 14 ng/J limit; the Eco-Defender Ultra Low NOx is compliant.
About $1,950 plumber-installed. Right buyer: installation in air-quality-restricted markets where standard atmospheric gas tanks fail emissions inspection. The Bradford White ICON control adds the power-outage operation advantage characteristic of the brand.