Where the Bradford White RE340S6 fits
The RE340S6 is a nominal 40-gallon short electric model with a 22-inch jacket. It provides a useful comparison point for homeowners who need a lower tank but want to avoid selecting a model whose published width omits a supplied external blanket.
This heater’s 36 gallons of rated storage should be compared with the existing unit’s rating, not just the number printed prominently in a sales description. Its 49-gallon first-hour rating is a better starting point for discussing clustered morning use. WHE asks whether showers overlap, how often a tub is filled and whether the present heater ever met the home’s needs. A lower profile solves an overhead-fit problem only if water connections and future service remain accessible.
Capacity, delivery and efficiency
Bradford White’s September 2026 U.S. specification lists 40 gallons nominal capacity, 36 gallons DOE rated storage, a 49-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: 22 inches.
- 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: 114 pounds; this is not the filled operating weight.
RE340S6 and RE340R6 should remain separate choices even though their dimension rows match. Their published delivery and efficiency ratings differ, and the minimum element wattages in the ordering table also differ. WHE verifies the exact model and electrical nameplate on the supplied unit instead of treating the two model numbers as interchangeable.
RE340S6 is not one of the two supplied-blanket models marked in this specification table. Its jacket diameter should still not be treated as a complete installation footprint. Allow room for the pan, pipework and access to the element covers, drain and anode. Check the instructions delivered with the heater for the actual installation.
Compare the closest current models
The RE240S6 is the same height with a 20-inch bare jacket, but requires a supplied blanket and lists 48 gallons in the first hour. The RE340R6 has the same 22-inch jacket and published height as RE340S6, yet lists 52 gallons in the first hour and 0.93 UEF. The RE340T6 is narrower at 20 inches but rises to 60 3/16 inches at the heater top.
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 RE340S6 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 RE340S6 FAQs
Is RE340S6 the same as RE340R6?
No. They share the published 47 3/16-inch heater height and 22-inch jacket, but RE340S6 lists 49 gallons first-hour delivery and 0.91 UEF; RE340R6 lists 52 gallons and 0.93 UEF.
Does this model need the RE240S6 blanket?
The current sheet does not mark RE340S6 as a supplied-blanket model. RE240S6 is marked separately. Follow the instructions furnished with the exact heater instead of transferring accessories from a similar model.
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 RE340S6 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.