Bradford White

Bradford White Corporation

5 field manuals · 9 error codes · 2 guides

Ask about a Bradford White
Water Heater Model & serial

Bradford White water heaters

Manual · Water Heater

Bradford White RE (electric) and RG (gas) residential tanks: quick sheet

Bradford White residential upright and lowboy tanks: RE-prefix electric (e.g. RE250T6 = 50 gal tall) and RG-prefix atmospheric gas (Defender Safety System). Sold through plumbing wholesalers, not big-box stores. Newer ERE models with ICON E electronic control are a different platform. Date from the serial number letters (see below).

7 components3 common failuresBradford White
Manual · Water Heater

Electric tank water heater: field service manual

Residential 240 V dual-element tank heaters (roughly 30-80 gal) with surface-mount upper thermostat/ECO and lower thermostat

6 components4 common failuresA.O. Smith, State, Rheem, Ruud, Richmond, Bradford White, Whirlpool
Manual · Water Heater

Gas tank water heater (atmospheric and power-vent): diagnostic and electrical-side manual

Residential standing-pilot FVIR tanks with thermopile electronic gas controls, and 120 V power-vent tanks; diagnosis and electrical/water-side only

4 components3 common failuresA.O. Smith, State, Rheem, Ruud, Bradford White, Whirlpool
Manual · Water Heater

Gas tankless water heater: field service manual (water side and diagnostics)

Residential non-condensing and condensing gas tankless units with digital controllers

5 components3 common failuresRinnai, Navien, Noritz, Rheem, A.O. Smith, Bradford White
Manual · Water Heater

Heat pump (hybrid) water heater: field service manual

Residential integrated heat pump water heaters with backup resistance elements

4 components3 common failuresRheem, A.O. Smith, Bradford White, State

Error codes

1 flash every 4 s (green) Standby: pilot lit, burner off1 flash every second (green) Heating: main burner on2 flashes (yellow) Low thermopile voltage4 flashes (red) Temperature cut-out limit reached5 flashes (red) Temperature sensor / electronics…6 flashes (red) Door/chamber temperature sensor …9 flashes (red) Tank leak detected10 flashes (red) Insufficient combustion airSolid ON (red) Control in OFF mode
Guide · Water Heater

Tankless: error code, no ignition at low flow, or temperature swings

Many tankless complaints are water-side: flow below the activation threshold, a clogged inlet screen, low-flow aerators, or scale in the heat exchanger. Gas supply, venting and combustion codes are blocked: diagnose and refer. Read the code first, then work the water side.

6 steps ~90 minmoderate

Identify a Bradford White

Where's the rating plate?

  • Water Heater: Rating plate on the tank.

Reading the model number

Serial is 9-10 characters: 2 letters then a production number (7 digits before Dec 2007, 8 after).

Manufacture date from the serial number

Cross-checked

Letter 1 = year, letter 2 = month. Month letters A-M skipping I (A=Jan ... H=Aug, J=Sep, K=Oct, L=Nov, M=Dec). Year letters repeat every 20 years and skip I, O, Q, R, U, V.

EXAMPLE ONLY: MD1234567 -> M = 2015, D = April.

A = 2004 / 2024B = 2005 / 2025C = 2006 / 2026D = 2007E = 2008F = 2009G = 2010H = 2011J = 2012K = 2013L = 2014M = 2015N = 2016P = 2017S = 2018T = 2019W = 2020X = 2021Y = 2022Z = 2023

Each letter also means the year 20 years earlier (e.g. A = 1984). Use the ANSI standard year on the plate to choose. Serials starting with 'O' are a known Jan 1997 batch. Tankless units may use Rinnai or Bosch serial styles.

Official Bradford White manuals & support

Brand names identify appliances only. OnCall Tech is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bradford White.