Where the Bradford White RE130L6 fits
The RE130L6 is a 28-gallon nominal lowboy with a 20-inch bare jacket and a supplied insulation blanket. That combination makes the bare diameter a poor shortcut for deciding whether it fits a closet or cabinet. The blanket belongs in the installation plan from the start.
This model provides 26 gallons of DOE rated storage and a 42-gallon first-hour rating. That is useful information for comparing a limited hot-water demand, but it does not guarantee a set number of showers. Describe the busiest period of use and the fixtures served. If an existing heater used to keep up, WHE can also consider whether a repairable fault is causing the recent shortage before selecting a replacement.
Capacity, delivery and efficiency
The current specification lists 28 gallons nominal capacity, 26 gallons DOE rated storage, a 42-gallon first-hour rating and 0.92 UEF. Nominal capacity describes the listed size; rated storage is the separately published stored volume. First-hour rating combines stored hot water and recovery during a standardized test hour.
Compare first-hour ratings when considering a busy period, but do not treat them as a guaranteed number of showers. UEF is a standardized efficiency measure, not a prediction of an individual household’s electricity bill. Actual use, incoming water temperature and the selected configuration affect operating results.
Lowboy dimensions and replacement access
- A — floor to top of heater: 29 9/16 inches.
- B — jacket diameter: 20 inches; excludes the supplied blanket.
- C — floor to water connections: 31 5/16 inches.
- E — floor to standard side T&P connection: 23 1/16 inches. The optional top location is 31 5/16 inches.
- D — water-connection center spacing: 8 inches; G — water connections: 3/4-inch NPT.
- Approximate shipping weight: 99 pounds, not the filled operating weight.
For a low cabinet, check access to the top water fittings as well as the body height. For a narrow closet, account for the blanket, pan and front service access. The required insulation should not be omitted or squeezed into an opening simply because the bare tank can pass through it.
RE130L6 requires its supplied 2-inch insulation blanket. The specification dimensions exclude that blanket. Adding 2 inches on each side of the 20-inch jacket gives an approximate 24-inch body width for planning; this is a calculation, not a certified finished dimension. The blanket supplement calls for a pan at least 6 inches larger than the pre-blanket heater diameter in length and width, giving 26 inches for this model before other project requirements are considered.
The blanket must not be compressed to force a fit. Installation must preserve the required access and openings described in the supplement. Do not add an assumed amount to the published height and call it a verified overall dimension; review the supplied blanket arrangement, fittings and clearances at the actual site.
Compare the closest current models
The closest current alternative is RE230LN6: the same 28-gallon nominal capacity, 26-gallon rated storage, 29 9/16-inch heater height and 31 5/16-inch water-connection height. It has a 23-inch jacket without a supplied blanket and a 41-gallon first-hour rating. RE130L6 is narrower before its required blanket is installed; compare the finished arrangement rather than ranking fit by the bare jacket alone.
Lowboys are a separate family from the short upright electrics. For example, the RE330S6 short upright is 46 11/16 inches to the heater top. Compare the actual body and connection heights instead of treating the words “short” and “lowboy” as interchangeable.
Electrical configuration and recovery
This guide uses the sheet’s standard 240V, single-phase configuration with two 4,500W elements operating non-simultaneously. One element operates at a time, so this is not a standard 9,000W simultaneous load. The recovery table gives 21 gallons per hour at a 90°F temperature rise, or 19 gallons per hour at a 100°F rise, for 4,500W operation.
Recovery describes reheating at a specified temperature rise; it is separate from stored volume and first-hour delivery. Other voltage, input and wiring options have model-specific restrictions. WHE checks the full nameplate, supply and circuit before installation. An available factory wattage option is not permission to increase input on an existing circuit.
Installation and ongoing service
Standard side T&P placement is the basis of this guide; the sheet also lists an optional top location. WHE reviews the supporting surface, leak-management arrangement, relief discharge, shutoff access and thermal-expansion provisions where the water supply is closed. Adequate room to reach the element covers, drain and anode matters after the initial installation as well.
The family includes a protective anode and a sediment-control system. Those features do not make the heater maintenance-free; inspection and service should follow the instructions supplied with the equipment. Keep the model, serial number and installation record together. Have electrical diagnosis and internal service performed by a qualified professional; recurring trips, leaks or a change in delivery deserve assessment.
Six-year model and warranty terms
The final 6 identifies the six-year tank version. The current residential certificate provides six-year limited tank and component-parts coverage for qualifying single-family use, subject to its conditions. It shortens these terms to one year for other residential use of a six-year model and excludes nonresidential or commercial use. Removal, installation and associated repair or replacement costs are excluded, subject to applicable law. Check the certificate supplied with the heater and confirm eligibility using the complete model and serial number.
Official sources and image note
Sources checked October 17, 2026: Bradford White’s current U.S. Lowboy Electric family, 1203-0926 specification (September 2026), 238-44422-00AB installation manual (August 2026), 238-51237-00F blanket supplement (June 2023) and 238-39699-00ZAN residential warranty (March 2025). The official photograph represents the lowboy family; proportions, labels and blanket arrangements vary. The model row and supplied documents establish the exact equipment.
Plan your lowboy replacement
Explore our Bradford White installation options, electric water heater service and model catalog. Water Heating Experts is family owned and master plumber owned, serving Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and nearby Palm Beach County communities under Florida license CFC1426133. Call 561-602-9062, text your site photos or request a free installation estimate. Price, availability and the scope of work are confirmed for your project.
Bradford White RE130L6 FAQs
Is RE130L6 a 30-gallon heater?
The current specification lists 28 gallons nominal, 26 gallons DOE rated storage and a 42-gallon first-hour rating. Use those values for planning rather than reading the model number as the actual stored volume.
Is RE130L6 narrower than RE230LN6?
Its bare jacket is 20 inches versus 23 inches, but RE130L6 requires its supplied 2-inch blanket. Adding blanket thickness on both sides gives an approximate 24-inch body width for planning, before the pan, piping and service space.
Do both 4,500W elements operate at once?
The specification’s standard arrangement is 240V, single-phase and non-simultaneous, with two 4,500W elements. The controls energize one at a time. Confirm the supplied nameplate; other factory configurations require separate verification.
Does the six-year warranty include installation labor?
The residential certificate provides six-year limited tank and parts terms for qualifying single-family use of this six-year model. It excludes replacement and repair costs such as removal, installation and associated charges, subject to applicable law. Other residential uses have shorter terms; the supplied certificate controls.
Can WHE check whether RE130L6 fits my home?
Yes. Send the existing model label, a wide photo of the installation, available opening measurements and your hot-water concerns. WHE checks fit, demand and the installation scope in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and nearby Palm Beach County communities. Availability and scheduling are confirmed for the project.