Bradford White gas water heaters
15 reports to CPSC, the latest made Apr 30, 2026. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.
- 15reports to CPSC
- Apr 30, 2026the latest report was made
- Sep 7, 2011the earliest
- 0with the company’s comments
- Brand
- Bradford White
- Makers
- Bradford White Corporation and BRADFORD-WHITE CORPORATIONMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Gas water heatersCPSC’s product type: Gas Water Heaters (code 118), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Plumbing & Bath
Other ways the reports write the brand (3)
“Bradford White Defender”, “Bradford White KA17715748 MI5036FSX 50 gallon Liquid Propane” and “Bradford-White”
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| April 2026 | 1 |
| January 2024 | 1 |
| August 2021 | 1 |
| June 2021 | 1 |
| November 2020 | 1 |
| June 2019 | 1 |
| November 2018 | 1 |
| March 2017 | 1 |
| September 2015 | 1 |
| April 2014 | 1 |
| December 2013 | 1 |
| August 2012 | 1 |
| January 2012 | 1 |
| September 2011 | 2 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- Death 1
- Seen by a doctor or nurse 1 CPSC: Injury, Seen by Medical Professional
- Hurt, care not known 1 CPSC: Injury, Level of care not known
- No one hurt 12 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.
The reports, as CPSC published them
Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.
Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
-
No one hurt Made Apr 30, 2026, sent to the company May 5, 2026, published by CPSC May 19, 2026
The product, in the report: Bradford white water heater 55000 BTU gas water heater 48 US gallons
This Bradford white 55000 gas water heater model numberURG250HN6 is leaking propane gas from the gas regulator valve honeywell gas regulator valve . It just pop loud and hiss gas .
- Model
- URG250HN6
- Serial number
- TM44419179
- Where
- Corcoran, California: Unspecified
- Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford white, made or sold by Bradford White Corporation
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jan 4, 2024, sent to the company Jan 8, 2024, published by CPSC Jan 24, 2024
The product, in the report: Hot water heater
Natural gas leaked from water heater valve.
- Model
- Model No RG250T6N
- Serial number
- PD39408559
- Where
- Phoenix, Arizona: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 66, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- made or sold by Bradford White Corporation
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Aug 12, 2021, sent to the company Aug 23, 2021, published by CPSC Sep 7, 2021
The product, in the report: Bradford White gas water heater Model RG250T6N Grey in color 50 US gallons Installed July 2021
Nothing happened, but I would like to keep anything from happening. My newly installed Bradford White gas water heater, model RG250T6N has exposed electrical wiring at the foot level. My previous heater had a metal plate covering the wires.
- Model
- RG250T6N
- Serial number
- XE47905414
- Bought from
- Long’s Corporation, Virginia
- Bought
- Jul 5, 2021
- Where
- Falls Church, Virginia: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White, made or sold by Bradford White Corporation
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Jun 9, 2021, sent to the company Jun 28, 2021, published by CPSC Jul 13, 2021
The product, in the report: Bradford White Water Heater Serial Number: XB47324859 Model Number: RG240T6N Heater Type: RES GAS
Bradford White Water Heater RG240T6N. Gas control thermostat is labeled “Icon”. There is NO “Icon” control listed in the manual, just Honeywell. A small tag on wiring identifies the control as “Honeywell”.
Technical support stated there are two different Honeywell controls, one with a black knob and one with a red knob. Different instructions apply depending on the color of the knob.
Following instructions on the heater and in the manual does not light the heater. Twice I had try for over an hour to relight the heater before calling Technical Support.
- Model
- RG240T6N
- Serial number
- XB47324859
- Where
- Norridge, Illinois: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White, made or sold by Bradford White Corporation
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Seen by a doctor or nurse Made Nov 30, 2020, sent to the company Dec 30, 2020, published by CPSC Jan 14, 2021
The product, in the report: Bradford White Defender 40 gallon natural gas water heater, model RG240T6N, serial number WH46391173
I had a Bradford White 40 gallon natural gas water heater installed on 11/16/20 (model RG240T6N). I noticed gas coming from the household faucets for several days after installation. Suspecting any air that was introduced into the system should have dissipated, I was concerned some other gas could be involved. I am a volunteer firefighter and have access to a gas meter. I placed the meter next to the open faucet and got a reading of hydrogen sulfide (13.5 ppm) before water eventually flowed (got gas only for about 10 seconds). I notified the plumber who did the initial installation. He advised he called the plumbing supplier and they told him they were aware of the issue. They indicated the magnesium anodes were “bad” and that they would supply him with a new anode which should fix the gas issue. The plumber returned and replaced the anode. The original anode showed significant corrosion after only having been in use for a week (I have it for testing if needed). The gas issue did resolve with the new anode. However, the tank water continues to show signs of particles from the corroded original anode in the water. I have concerns about any lingering health consequences of the hydrogen sulfide passing through my household faucets and the impact of the continued presence of what I am assuming is magnesium in my water. Additionally, I have at least one faucet impacted by reduced flow (likely from a particle getting stuck in the internal pipe of the faucet). I have contacted both Bradford White and my water utility (Suez Water) for assistance but have not gotten a response from either to date. Any assistances you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
- Model
- RG240T6N
- Serial number
- WH46391173
- Where
- Rutherford, New Jersey: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 54, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White, made or sold by Bradford White Corporation
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, Seen by Medical Professional
-
No one hurt Made Jun 26, 2019, sent to the company Sep 6, 2019, published by CPSC Sep 20, 2019
The product, in the report: Bradford-White Water Heater, Model URG140T6N
I have a Bradford-White water heater, model URG140T6N, serial # PM40570859. The water heater was provided by Anacapa Plumbing and installed by them on Feb. 12, 2018. I had my plumber put a pressure meter on the unit, and the meter is showing spikes as high as 175 psi. My plumber advised me to replace the pressure regulator at the street, but after they did this and I reset the pressure meter, I continued to see spikes up to 175. The conclusion is the pressure spikes are being generated by the water heater itself. The concern is that the unit might burst, spraying someone in the vicinity with scalding water.
- Model
- URG140T6N
- Serial number
- PM40570859
- Where
- Santa Barbara, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford-White, made or sold by Bradford White Corporation
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Nov 26, 2018, sent to the company Feb 8, 2019, published by CPSC Feb 26, 2019
The product, in the report: Bradford white 50 gal low nox high recovery natural gas water heater
Bradford white model number u1504s6frn (a six year old 50 gallon high recovery low nox water heater sold as new in California six years ago and professionally installed at that time) started producing flames/ mini explosions out of the front opening hole of the flame/burner area. Upon inspection by a licensed plumber, the it was found that the internal metal flue pipe had started to disintegrate from the heat of normal operation , over time, resulting in debris on the burner plate and leading to the flaming / mini exploding condition)
- Model
- U1504s6frn
- Serial number
- JL17428989
- Bought from
- Furgeson plumbing, California
- Bought
- Jan 31, 2013, about then
- Where
- Aliso viejo, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford white, made or sold by Bradford White Corporation
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Mar 6, 2017, sent to the company Jun 8, 2017, published by CPSC Jun 22, 2017
The product, in the report: gas water heater
(03/02/2017) The consumer heard an explosion in the garage. The explosion was coming from inside of the water heater. When the consumer turned the gas off, the explosion stopped.
The consumer called the company that installed the water heater. It was determined that the water heater had exploded through the firebox.
burners developed holes and leak gas causing explosions it happened in a number of water heaters already
The consumer has made attempts to report problem with Bradford White and company didn’t acknowledge the problem at time technical support employee keep saying that problem is due to negligence and not because burners developed a hole, so it was impossible to contact upper management.
Condensation from water heater cause burners to fail, no way to avoid condensation because cold water is entering tanks at hot water is been used so the burners start to deteriorate rapidly.
- Model
- U440T6FRN
- Serial number
- JK17295559
- Bought from
- Ferguson Enterprises
- Where
- Santa Maria, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unknown
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White, made or sold by Bradford White Corporation
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Hurt, care not known Made Sep 15, 2015, sent to the company Nov 10, 2015, published by CPSC Nov 25, 2015
The product, in the report: hot water tank 40 gallon (propane) Date manufactured: Removed 8/11/15 - Bought new one & installed 8/21 $1400 first one 1392 second one
1st Hot Water Tank (04/23/2015)The consumer stated that she purchased a Bradford White hot water tank on April 23. The consumer stated that after using the water a white substance was left on her skin, scalp and eyelashes. There was a terrible metallic odor when the hot water was turned on. It also left deposits around the tub in the bathroom and the kitchen sink faucet. The consumer also suffered hair loss and her eyelashes turned white.
The consumer contacted her water conditioner company. The representative came out and check the water conditioner, which was fine. The consumer was also advised that other people were having problem with the sacrificial anode rod that is in the water tank. The consumer gave the representative permission to pull the rod. It was discovered that the rod was pitted and magnesium had gotten into the water line.
Removing the rod did not change the condition of the hot water. The consumer uses well water.
The consumer stated that she does not use the hot water in her home anymore.
- Model
- MITW40SFCX
- Serial number
- MA35614693
- Bought
- Apr 23, 2015
- Where
- Lyons, New York: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 73, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White, made or sold by BRADFORD-WHITE CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, Level of care not known
-
No one hurt Made Apr 28, 2014, sent to the company May 16, 2014, published by CPSC Jun 2, 2014
The product, in the report: gas hot water heater
(11/2008) The consumer stated that the water temperature spikes at times. The consumer stated that he turns the dial almost to off to adjust the temperature. The consumer stated that the temperature will spike to 140 degrees
4/21/2011-The consumer had the thermostat replaced
4/12/2013-The gas valve was replaced.
(04/28/2014) The consumer stated that he tried to wash dishes and the water temperature was back up to 130 degrees.
He had just turned the temperature down two days ago
The consumer is concerned that the hot water heater will spike while he is away from home and cause a fire. He is also concern that the water will scald someone while in use.
The consumer stated that his friend has a water heater by the same manufacturer and is experiencing the same problem.
The consumer called the manufacturer about a year ago at 800-538-201 and spoke to [REDACTED], Regional Manager. The consumer advised him of what was going on. The manager was suppose to call him back with a resolution but never did. The consumer called him again within a month, still no response.
- Model
- MI4016FBN
- Serial number
- EE10577274
- Bought from
- builder, Indiana
- Bought
- Sep 26, 2008
- Where
- Elkhart, Indiana: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White Defender, made or sold by BRADFORD-WHITE CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Dec 8, 2013, sent to the company Dec 16, 2013, published by CPSC Dec 31, 2013
The product, in the report: Bradford White KA17715748 MI5036FSX 50 gallon Liquid Propane Water Heater.
Included in this statement is an email I sent to Consumer Reports about the installation of a Bradford White Hot Water Tank in my residence and my concern about the safety of the Liquid Propane controller used on the appliance. The second part of this report is the response from Consumer Reports about the hot water tank and contacting the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Dear Consumer Reports,
I write this email about my experience with a new Bradford White hot water tank installed on August 8, 2013 and my doubts about the safety of the Bradford White Hot Water tank equipped with the Honeywell Icon Controller labeled for use with Liquid Propane.
My old hot water tank failed. I called a local licensed contractor to install a new hot water tank for my home. The tank that was recommended and installed was a Bradford White KA17715748 MI5036FSX 50 gallon.
After the installation the smell of raw Liquid Propane was evident not only in our large utility room, but other areas of the house as well. The smell of Liquid Propane increased dramatically during the first month of service. So much propane at times, that we had to open windows periodically to lessen the smell. The county inspector, that inspected the new hot water tank installation, stated that there should be absolutely no propane smell being given off by the new hot water tank and I should call the licensed installer immediately. I looked on the internet and saw that other owners of the Bradford White hot water heaters using the Honeywell LP controller were reporting similar problems with the smell of propane. I called Bradford White to ask for their recommendation. They stated it was normal for the Honeywell controller to vent LP at a rate of 20CC’s. But could not answer my question to whether this was per second, per minute, per 5 minutes or over what time span. I then called the licensed contractor. They called Bradford White. Bradford White gave them the same story.
My contractor sent a tech specialist to inspect the hot water tank. After an inspection by their tech he found a leak of LP along the upper edge of the Honeywell controller. This Bradford White Honeywell Icon LP gas controller with LED was changed for a new controller of the exact same type.
Again in the beginning there was a faint smell of Liquid Propane, but as time progressed so did the quantity of propane smell increase. From the middle of September to the middle of October the propane smell at times was alarming, especially when you walked into the utility room where the hot water tank was located. The smell of propane was extremely strong when the utility room was left undisturbed for a long period of time. Again we had to start opening windows and/or turning on bathroom fans. With winter coming on and the probable use of our furnace I requested our Liquid Propane provider to do a system inspection. The Propane Provider checked every connection starting with the propane tank. They checked the regulator, all connections within the house including a LP fireplace, furnace, and the hot water tank. The Propane Provider’s tech Red Flagged the hot water tank and stated no amount of raw LP should ever be leaking from any device, especially in the quantity the hot water tank was leaking from the second LP controller. He recommended we permanently turn off our hot water tank.
Again I called the licensed contractor who installed the hot water tank. They sent a different specialist out to inspect the hot water tank. He also concluded that he was concerned with the amount of LP being given off by the second new Bradford White Honeywell controller. The leak from the controller was coming from the area where the heat dial pushes a button into the controller to increase or decrease the burner propane for water temperature. He wanted me to turn off the hot water tank until a fix could be performed. No hot showers for a possible two week period was unacceptable. Instead of turning the tank off he allowed me to place a fan in front of the hot water tank to dissipate the LP fumes into the utility room coming off the controller. The leaking hot water tank is installed next to the LP house furnace. The tech was more concerned with a buildup LP on the floor and the hot water tank igniting causing a flash explosion. He wanted to go back and give a report to his office to see what they wanted done. Higher ups within the office called Bradford White. Bradford White sent new controller.
This controller is of an older style similar to the [REDACTED] controller on the old, replaced water heater. The older style of controller does not leak LP. Problem solved! No smell of LP in the utility room or being evident anywhere within our 3,000 square foot house.
BUT: Do all Bradford White Honeywell Icon LP gas controllers leak? Where the natural gas controllers do not? Are the Bradford White Honeywell Liquid Propane Controllers on hot water tanks in reality safe without the threat of explosion due to a ground build up of propane? Are the Honeywell controllers really designed to vent continuously?
Is there a major structural defect in the Honeywell Icon LP gas controller for LP? Or was I just unlucky and got two bad new controllers in succession? The contractor stated that they have installed hundreds of the Bradford White water heaters which used the Honeywell Icon LED Controller with no problem, but using Natural Gas not Liquid Propane.
I am a subscriber to Consumer Reports. I do not keep an archive of the publication on hand. Could Consumer Reports shed some light on this subject? Have you tested the Bradford White Hot Water Heaters with the Honeywell Icon LP Controller? Is this hot water tank dangerous with the LP controller? My most important question... What are the laws that govern the amount of raw, flammable liquid propane (or Natural Gas) that can be “vented” into a room or home from a hot water heater or any LP device? All individuals in the know that I have talked to about this question state that no flammable gas should ever be vented from any device within the confines of a home or dwelling.
I feel Consumer Reports should be aware of the “potential” problem!
Please send any correspondence concerning this matter to the following address or email:
[REDACTED] ****************************************** RESPONSE FROM CONSUMER REPORTS:
Dear [REDACTED],
Thank you for taking the time to contact Consumer Reports®. I want to express how much we value your choice of our products and services to help you make informed purchasing decisions.
You’ve provided us with important feedback on your Bradford White Hot Water Heater . I can certainly understand your concerns. Please be assured that our readers’ feedback plays a strong role in the work that we do. Because of this I have taken the liberty of sharing your feedback with the appropriate members of our staff for their review and future consideration.
I would also suggest that you share your experience with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC can be contacted at 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814-4408 or toll-free 1-800-638-2772. This is the government agency with the responsibility of protecting consumers from unreasonably dangerous consumer products. If possible, you may wish to visit their website at http://www.cpsc.gov, where you will be able to report a problem with a defective product, search through an extensive list of product recall notices, and link to other government organizations. In addition to their website, the CPSC offers a 24 hour Fax-on-Demand service, which allows you to obtain CPSC news releases, catalogs, and other information via fax, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Consumer Reports is committed to making your experience positive and informative.
Sincerely,
[REDACTED] Representative Customer Relations Department ____
- Model
- MI5036FSX
- Serial number
- KA17715748
- Bought from
- Garden City Plumbing and Heating
- Bought
- Aug 8, 2013
- Where
- Frenchtown, Montana: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White KA17715748 MI5036FSX 50 gallon Liquid Propane, made or sold by BRADFORD-WHITE CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
Death Made Aug 1, 2012, sent to the company Aug 17, 2012, published by CPSC Aug 31, 2012
The product, in the report: *Time of fire disaster (uncertain reason): 4-13-2012, 9:00pm I saw the fire on kitchen’s ceiling when I passed from sleeping room to dining room, and also I found a big fire outbreak in the room equipped with Water Heater. So I called the security staffs in the neighborhood at once, and dialed 110 for the police. I turned off the electricity and closed the gas as well. The security staffs in the neighborhood used 6 big-sized fire extinguishers to control the fire. The fire was so heavy that 4 of us in the room could probably be killed in the fire anytime. But what is the cause of the fire? *4-14-2012, 10:00pm The gas company checked later, but found out nothing wrong after they checked the gas equipment, then they switched on the gas. Bradford White sent technicians to check, too, and turned on the Water Heater after having checked that nothing wrong with their product at that time. The engineering department of the neighborhood also came to check, and found out that part the facilities in kitchen were burned, including power. *4-18-2012 At 2:00am before dawn (the reason was that the ignition lock of Water Heater burned outward), when I went to the kitchen for soup spoon, I suddenly found much water on the floor. Just at that time I saw that the ignition lock of Water Heater was burning outward. So I knew that the outbreak of fire at 9:00 on Apr, 13 was caused by Water Heater.
04-13-2012, My kitchen caught on fire twice within a few days of each other. The first time it had happened, the fire department came and left after the fire was put out, giving us no definite source of the cause. Because of this. We had no idea how to prevent it and once again another fire started later on 04-18-2012. After some investigation, we have concluded that the outburst of the two fire were caused by our gas water heater. The fire disasters worried my ex-husband so much that he died from anxiety with phobia.
The water heater is an imported item that we purchased, made and produced in the US. And the incidents occured overseas in China. Can we instituting a lawsuit go to Los Angeles Superior Court for compensatory damages, and other related actions? We would like to know how the instituting a lawsuit length of time we have in doing so.
- Model
- MI75S6CN12
- Serial number
- XE 4265151
- Bought from
- US
- Bought
- Aug 14, 2002
- Where
- HANGHAI, China: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 66, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- My Spouse
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White, made or sold by BRADFORD-WHITE CORPORATION
-
No one hurt Made Jan 6, 2012, sent to the company Feb 7, 2012, published by CPSC Feb 22, 2012
The product, in the report: Bradford White Gas Water Heater Model MI30S6ENlO (this is the model number of the new unit, which is the same as the defective unit in the incident. The unit that burned has been hauled away to my plumbers warehouse and Bradford White is picking it up to take to their testing site in Michigan. I have been in contact with [REDACTED], [REDACTED] at Bradford White in PA. I have not heard from him for the last couple of weeks. I cannot provide the below listed info, as my unit should be at the testing center of Bradford White Corp.
On Saturday, 11/26/2011 at approximately 10:45PM I went down to my basement and noticed a light flashing. I walked over to the hot water heater and flames were shooting out of my gas hot water heater. The metal plate cover was blown off and laying on the floor where the flames were shooting out. The unit had black soot approximately 2 feet around where the flames came out. The unit was running when the flames were coming out. I turned off the gas and unplugged the unit and called Wisconsin Energies Emergency number, as I wasn’t sure what to do or if there was a gas leak. My smoke alarm in the basement did not sound, as there was no smoke. WE Energies did an inspection and put an orange caution tag on the unit and called it an unsafe condition. My plumbers were called in the morning and installed a new Bradford White unit on November 28, 2011 . My unit was just over the warranty date of 6 years. The defective unit was installed when my home was built under 7 years ago and I never had problems priorto this evening. Had I not gone downstairs I believe my home would have burnt and possibly my life could have been lost, as the unit is located in the basement underneath my main entrance to my home. Bradford White has given me an extended warranting on my new unit, but have not taken responsibility for the defective unit, the cost to replace it, my time off of work and wages lost, etc. An inspector came over and said he has never seen anything like this. I would not want anyone else to go through this very scarey and costly situation, which should have never happened, as this unit should have shut down when it over heated and it never should have gotten to this point or the possible destruction.
On December 8, 2011, consumer received letter from WE Energies stating: During a recent inspection of the property listed above, we found an unsafe condition. For the safety of everyone living at this address, this matter needs the i.mmediate attention of a qualified contractor for repair.
1/19/2012 UPDATE:
Bradford White told me that I should have my plumbers hold the unit at the plumbers garage/warehouse, as they wanted to pick it up and take it to their testing site. (this was included in my report). I found out from my plumbers on January 18, 2012 that Bradford White never came to pick up the unit (after 1-1/2 months) and they were told that they (Bradford White) had no intention of picking up the unit. My plumbers have since taken the defective unit to the landfill.
Bradford White ([REDACTED]) has cut off all email communication from me and have not responded to my emails for over a month.
- Model
- MI30S6EN10
- Bought
- Jan 1, 2005, about then
- Where
- Appleton, Wisconsin: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 59, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White, made or sold by BRADFORD-WHITE CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Sep 16, 2011, sent to the company Sep 26, 2011, published by CPSC Oct 12, 2011
The product, in the report: 48 Gallon, Bradfor White, Natural Gas. Provide Hot Water for In-Floor radiant heat system.
I just purchased a home built in 2006. The home came with a 48 gallon, natural gas, Bradford White water heater that provides the hot water for the in-floor radiant heat.
Model Number M2TW50T6BN1 Serial Number CE7691231
The water heater vent (chimney), a 4” Schedule 40 PVC, has turned brown. This suggests to me that too much heat is being passed to this vent. The vent pipe is brown for about 5’ from point where vent attaches to the top of the heater. The total length of the venting pipe to the outside of house is about 15’. There is only one 90 degree elbow in the vent passageway.
I called Technician [REDACTED] at 1 800 538-2020 at Bradfor White. He said he did not know what the operating temperature should be where vent attaches to top of heater. He assured me that it was less that what the 4” Schedule 40 PVC was rated for. He first said is was rated for up to 170 degrees farenheit, then changed his mind and said it was rated for up to 160 degrees farenheit.
My local installer measured the operating heat at this point at 178 degrees farenheit. Said that he has removed “many” of these heater over the past two years. Does not install them anymore. Believes there is a problem with the baffles but could not be specific. No carbon dioxide.
I am now, 9/16/2011, in the process of replacing this unit only 5 years old because I believe it to be a potential fire hazard.
- Model
- Bradford White
- Serial number
- CE7691231
- Bought from
- St Cloud Plumbing & Heating
- Bought
- May 17, 2006, about then
- Where
- Sauk Rapids, Minnesota: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 72, Male
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White, made or sold by BRADFORD-WHITE CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
-
No one hurt Made Sep 7, 2011, published by CPSC Sep 29, 2011
The product, in the report: Bradford White 50 gallon propane water heater. Honeywell control.
We had a propane water heater replaced in our home. Almost immediately after it was installed we began smelling propane coming from the unit. We call the plumbing company that installed the unit and they came out, checked for leaks, made some adjustments and felt they had fixed the problem. We continued to smell the propane. Sometimes it was just very close to the control unit and other times we could smell it when we entered the garage. We called the installer back out. They did some more testing (spraying soapy water on the control unit and surrounding joints and piping) never finding any visible leak. After several trips to our house they agreed to replace the unit with a new unit. Once again we began noticing the propane smell in the garage. We had our propane provider come out and inspect their equipment and they found nothing. We called the fire department out and they did smell the propane, but were unable to pick up a reading on the meter they had. They advised us to replace the unit as soon as possible. The longer this goes on the less cooperative the installers become. Our main concern is the faulty control unit. We have had two units and both had the same problem from the same connection.
- Model
- M45036FSX
- Serial number
- HB14903680 D/
N 394 - Bought from
- A & N Plumbing
- Bought
- Mar 31, 2011
- Where
- Hollister, California: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Unspecified
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Unspecified
- As this report names them
- Brand Bradford White, made or sold by BRADFORD-WHITE CORPORATION
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Incident, No Injury
CPSC’s disclaimer
Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
-
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.
Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.