Bradford White RG130T6X 30-Gallon Tall Propane (LP) Water Heater

Where the Bradford White RG130T6X fits

The RG130T6X is a 30-gallon nominal tall propane (LP) water heater in Bradford White’s standard Atmospheric Vent Gas family. This is the narrower 30-gallon tall option, with a 16-inch jacket. Its small diameter can help in a restricted installation space, but the lower published first-hour delivery is an important part of the choice. A slim body should be matched to the home’s demand as well as the opening.

A compact 30-gallon tank deserves a review of shower timing, tub use and any fixtures operating together. If the old heater previously kept up but recently began running short, WHE also considers whether a service problem is reducing output. The replacement decision should account for how the home uses hot water rather than relying only on the number printed on the old tank.

Capacity, first-hour delivery and efficiency

The current U.S. specification lists 30 gallons nominal capacity, 29 gallons DOE rated storage, a 46-gallon first-hour rating and 0.54 UEF for this model row. Nominal capacity is the listed size category; rated storage is the separately published stored volume. First-hour rating combines stored hot water with reheating during a standardized hour.

UEF is a standardized efficiency measure, not a prediction of your bill or a substitute for checking hot-water demand. The sheet uses N-suffix base rows and directs the final N to be changed to X for propane. It gives one first-hour and UEF pair per row, with separate LP input and recovery columns; this guide uses those LP columns.

Dimensions and connection heights

• A — floor to exhaust connection: 59 3/4 inches.
• F — floor to top of heater: 56 1/4 inches.
• B — jacket diameter: 16 inches; H — depth: 19 1/2 inches.
• G — floor to water connections: 57 inches; J — center spacing: 8 inches.
• M — water connections: 3/4-inch NPT.
• D — floor to standard side T&P connection: 49 3/4 inches.
• S — gas connection: 1/2 inch, located 13 inches above the floor.
• Approximate shipping weight: 106 pounds, not the filled operating weight.

The 16-inch jacket does not describe the full footprint: listed depth is 19 1/2 inches. Check the door opening, control projection, piping and service access. The exhaust connection stands above the heater top, so a shelf that clears the body may still interfere with the vent arrangement.

These are equipment dimensions, not installation clearances. Allow space for the pan, fittings, relief discharge and access to the controls, drain and anode. The selected tall models have an optional top T&P location that must be specified when ordering; this guide uses the standard side arrangement.

Compare the other tall options

The RG230T6X is the wider 30-gallon tall alternative. It lists a 18-inch jacket, 29 gallons rated storage, a 60-gallon first-hour rating and 0.60 UEF. For propane (LP), its published input is 31,000 BTU/h and recovery is 33 GPH at a 90°F rise. Compare those figures with this model’s 16-inch jacket and 46-gallon first-hour rating.

For another storage size in the same fuel, review the RG140T6X 40-gallon tall guide. The RG130T6N is the corresponding natural gas model. Choose the correct fuel first, then compare storage, delivery and fit.

Propane (LP) input and recovery

The published propane (LP) input is 27,000 BTU/h, with 29 gallons per hour recovery at a 90°F temperature rise. Recovery is separate from the first-hour rating and is not the amount stored in the tank. The required temperature rise and actual use affect how the heater replenishes hot water.

WHE checks the propane supply and regulator arrangement along with the other appliances served. The X-suffix heater must match the supplied fuel; the manufacturer identifies a separate propane burner. A matching tank size is not a reason to connect a natural gas model to propane. The 1/2-inch appliance connection does not establish the required supply-pipe size.

Atmospheric venting and installation scope

The specification lists a 3- or 4-inch vent connection for this input range. That does not mean either size is suitable for every installation. WHE reviews the vent route, condition, draft arrangement, combustion air and any commonly vented appliances. A power-vent or direct-vent heater has different requirements and is not an automatic replacement match.

This is an indoor storage heater. The estimate considers access, old-unit removal, supporting surface, shutoffs, piping, drainage, relief discharge and expansion control where the water supply is closed. If the current heater is difficult to reach in an attic, we can assess whether moving it to a garage is practical.

Features, care and six-year warranty

This family includes the Defender flammable-vapor ignition resistant system, a protective anode and sediment-control features. The sheet describes an ICON gas control that needs no external electricity, with controls subject to regional variation. These features do not make the tank maintenance-free. Keep service access clear and have internal gas-system diagnosis performed by a qualified professional.

The 6 identifies the six-year tank version. For qualifying single-family use, the residential certificate provides six-year limited tank and parts terms. Other residential use of this six-year model has one-year terms; nonresidential or commercial use is excluded. Removal, installation and associated repair or replacement costs are excluded, subject to applicable law. Retain the supplied certificate, model, serial number and installation record.

Official documents and image note

Checked October 17, 2026 against the current U.S. Atmospheric Vent Gas family, 1101-1125 specification (November 2025), 238-51012-00V installation manual (August 2026) and 238-39699-00ZAN residential warranty (March 2025). The official family photograph is representative; proportions, labels and fuel-specific components vary. The supplied nameplate and documents establish the exact equipment.

Plan your Bradford White replacement

Explore our Bradford White installation options, gas 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 site photos or request a free installation estimate. Price, availability and scheduling are confirmed for your project.

Bradford White RG130T6X FAQs