Where the Bradford White RE250S6 fits
The RE250S6 is a short, nominal 50-gallon electric heater supplied with an insulation blanket. It has a 22-inch bare jacket, but the blanket must be included when deciding whether it fits beside shelving, appliances or a closet wall.
This model supplies the same published rated storage and first-hour delivery as the wider-jacket RE350S6. Its practical distinction is how the insulation is arranged around the tank. WHE evaluates the finished equipment envelope rather than assuming the smaller bare jacket is a space-saving advantage. The 45-gallon DOE storage figure should also be compared with the actual old heater, particularly if hot-water demand has increased.
Capacity, delivery and efficiency
Bradford White’s September 2026 U.S. specification lists 50 gallons nominal capacity, 45 gallons DOE rated storage, a 60-gallon first-hour rating and 0.92 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: 22 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: 143 pounds; this is not the filled operating weight.
A replacement estimate should identify this exact model and include installation of its supplied blanket. The blanket is not an optional decorative cover and should not be omitted to make an undersized space work. Keep the drain, relief valve, control access and rating information accessible in the arrangement required by the supplied instructions.
Allow for the required insulation blanket
The specification marks RE250S6 as supplied with a 2-inch-thick blanket and excludes that thickness from the table. Adding two inches on each side gives about 26 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: 28 inches for this model. The supplement also addresses access openings and head insulation where applicable.
Compare the closest current models
The RE350S6 has the same 47 3/16-inch heater height, 45-gallon storage and 60-gallon first-hour rating, with a 24-inch jacket and no supplied-blanket mark in the current table. The RE250T6 uses a 20-inch jacket and 59-inch height, with a 64-gallon first-hour rating. Both are useful alternatives when the RE250S6 blanket and service space complicate the 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 RE250S6 row permits element wattages from 3,500W 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 RE250S6 FAQs
Is RE250S6 narrower than RE350S6 after installation?
Not based on jacket diameter alone. RE250S6 has a 22-inch bare jacket plus a 2-inch-thick blanket; about 26 inches across the wrapped body is a planning calculation. RE350S6 lists a 24-inch jacket without the supplied-blanket designation.
Does removing the blanket make it a standard 22-inch heater?
No. Bradford White marks this model as supplied with a blanket and its supplement requires installation. Select an appropriate alternative if the complete assembly will not fit.
Do both 4,500W elements operate together?
The standard configuration in the current sheet is 240V, single-phase and non-simultaneous. The controls energize one element at a time. Two elements do not make this a standard 9,000W simultaneous heater. Confirm the supplied nameplate.
Does the six-year warranty cover installation labor?
The current 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 assess RE250S6 for my home?
Yes. Send the existing model label, a wide installation photo and your hot-water concerns. WHE checks fit, demand, electrical supply and the scope of work for homes in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and nearby Palm Beach County communities. Booking starts an estimate; equipment availability and scheduling are confirmed afterward.