Bradford White RE240S6 40-Gallon Short Electric Water Heater

Where the Bradford White RE240S6 fits

The RE240S6 is a short-profile, nominal 40-gallon electric tank supplied with an insulation blanket. The 20-inch jacket measurement is easy to misread as its finished width: Bradford White excludes the required blanket from the published dimensions.

This model deserves particular attention when replacing an older narrow tank. Its 36 gallons of rated storage and 48-gallon first-hour rating place it among the smaller-delivery 40-gallon options in the current family. The same gallon label does not establish the same performance as the heater being removed. WHE compares the morning shower pattern, tub use and any hot-water complaints with the exact old model before recommending it.

Capacity, delivery and efficiency

Bradford White’s September 2026 U.S. specification lists 40 gallons nominal capacity, 36 gallons DOE rated storage, a 48-gallon first-hour rating and 0.91 UEF. Nominal capacity is the model’s size category; rated storage is the published stored volume. First-hour rating includes reheating during a standardized hour and should not be read as the amount held in the tank at once.

Use the first-hour figure to compare a busy period of use, then discuss the actual fixtures and timing. It is not a promise of a particular household size or an endless sequence of showers. UEF is a standardized efficiency measure, not a forecast of your bill. WHE does not assign a dollar saving without the existing heater, water use and electricity cost.

Dimensions and replacement access

• A — floor to top of heater: 47 3/16 inches.
• B — jacket diameter: 20 inches; excludes the supplied blanket.
• C and E — floor to water and T&P connections: 49 7/16 inches.
• D — water-connection center spacing: 8 inches.
• G — water connections: 3/4-inch NPT.
• Approximate shipping weight: 123 pounds; this is not the filled operating weight.

Treat the blanket as part of the equipment selection. Removing it to squeeze the heater into a smaller space changes the specified installation. Where width is the limiting dimension, compare the completed RE240S6 envelope against a non-blanketed alternative, rather than comparing jacket diameters alone.

Allow for the required insulation blanket

The specification marks RE240S6 as supplied with a 2-inch-thick blanket and excludes that thickness from the table. Adding two inches on each side gives about 24 inches across the wrapped cylindrical body as a planning calculation, not a manufacturer-certified finished dimension. Confirm the actual blanket assembly, seams, fittings and any head insulation before deciding that it fits. Do not compress the blanket to gain space.

The blanket installation supplement, 238-51237-00F (June 2023), requires the blanket after the heater installation. When a drain pan is needed, it calls for pan length and width at least six inches greater than the heater’s pre-blanket diameter: 26 inches for this model. The supplement also addresses access openings and head insulation where applicable.

Compare the closest current models

The RE340S6 has the same 47 3/16-inch heater height and 36-gallon rated storage, with a 22-inch jacket and a 49-gallon first-hour rating. It is not marked as requiring the supplied blanket in this table. The RE340R6 also uses that 22-inch footprint and height, but lists a 52-gallon first-hour rating and 0.93 UEF. The RE240S6’s smaller bare jacket therefore does not automatically produce the smallest completed installation.

Electrical configuration and recovery

This guide uses the sheet’s standard 240V, single-phase, non-simultaneous configuration with two 4,500W elements. Only one element operates at a time. The published recovery table gives 21 gallons per hour at a 90°F temperature rise for 4,500W operation. Recovery changes with the required rise and selected input; that figure is not the first-hour rating.

The RE240S6 row permits element wattages from 1,500W to 6,000W, subject to the voltage and wiring restrictions in the sheet. That ordering range is not an instruction to increase input on an existing circuit. Other factory configurations require separate verification. WHE checks the full nameplate, supply, circuit and wiring arrangement before installation; the base model number alone does not prove every electrical detail.

Installation and maintenance considerations

This is an indoor electric storage heater. WHE reviews the supporting surface, leak-management arrangement, shutoff access, relief discharge and thermal-expansion provisions where the supply is closed. Future service access matters even when the tank itself fits. If the present location is an attic, we can discuss whether a garage relocation is practical and include the necessary work in the estimate.

Sediment maintenance and anode inspection remain relevant. A sediment-control feature does not make the heater maintenance-free. Keep the model, serial number and installation record together, and report leaks, a change in hot-water delivery or repeated electrical trips for assessment. Have electrical diagnosis and internal service performed by a qualified professional following the supplied instructions.

Six-year model and warranty terms

The final 6 identifies the six-year tank model; the sheet lists 10-year versions separately. 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. It also excludes replacement and repair costs, including removal, installation and associated charges, subject to applicable law. Retain 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: the current U.S. Upright Electric family, 1201-0926 specification sheet, 238-44422-00AB installation manual (August 2026) and 238-39699-00ZAN residential warranty (March 2025). The official family photograph is representative; proportions, labels and blanket arrangements vary. The exact model row and supplied equipment documents establish the configuration.

Plan your Bradford White replacement

Compare the Bradford White installation options, our electric water heater service and the full 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 or request a free installation estimate with your model label and site photos. Availability, price and installation scope are confirmed for your project.

Bradford White RE240S6 FAQs