Bradford White Solar
Water Heaters Review
Bradford White solar water heaters are a great solution and investment in the residential water heating, since they are designed as the addition to the existing system so it can save you money and conserve energy. Solar heating systems are green, and they use the free solar energy for heating water in open- or closed-loop systems.
Models and Types
Bradford White designs and manufactures several types and models of solar water tank heaters, for residential use, which can use the internal exchanger in a closed-loop system or the external heat exchanger, in the open-loop system. Some Bradford White solar units are equipped with the electric heating elements while other units with the gas burners, providing hot water even during the cloudy and cold days. Here is the list and the review of the available models:
EcoStor SC Electric
| Models | Capacity (GAL) |
Recovery 90 F rise (GPH) |
FHR (GPH) |
Foam THK |
| S-SW2-60R6DS | 60 | 20 | 84 | 2 |
| S-SW2-75R6DS | 75 | 97 | ||
| S-SW2-115R6DS | 115 | 124 |
The above Bradford White solar water heaters come from the EcoStor SC series and are designed for the closed-loop or indirect systems. The heaters are equipped with the internal single-wall heat exchanger where the heated water transfers the heat to the surrounding water.
The most efficient models utilize two 4500 W, immersed Incoloy heating elements, that are used when solar cannot provide enough heat for water heating.
Its return and supply ports, located in front of the units, allow easy connection for heating potable water and space heating.
EcoStor2 SC Electric
| Models | Capacity (GAL) |
Recovery 90 F rise (GPH) |
FHR (GPH) |
Foam THK |
| S-DW2-60R6DS | 60 | 20 | 84 | 2 |
| S-DW2-75R6DS | 75 | 97 | ||
| S-DW2-115R6DS | 115 | 124 |
Bradford White solar water heaters from EcoStor2 SC series utilize the same features as found in the above EcoStor SC series, except the internal double-wall heat exchanger, which protects the potable water from solar heating fluid. All three models are also used in the closed-loop systems.
EcoStor DC Electric
| Models | Capacity (GAL) |
Foam THK |
| S-DC-DW2-55R6SW | 55 | 2 |
| S-DC-DW2-70R6SW | 70 | |
| S-DC-DW2-110R6SW | 110 |
EcoStor DC is the solar indirect system that uses the dual coil heat exchangers, the upper single-wall and lower double-wall, and electric heating elements as the backup.
Dual coil system provides great flexibility so water tank heaters can use different types of heat sources such as: solar, oil, gas... and combined with the space, boiler heating.
Solar Saver Electric
| Models | Capacity (GAL) |
Recovery 90 F rise (GPH) |
Foam THK |
| MS65R6SS | 65 | 21 | 2 |
| MS80R6SS | 80 | ||
| MS120R6SS | 119 |
Solar Saver uses the heated water directly from the solar panels to heat the potable water without utilizing the heat exchangers. The Solar Saver models are the only models of electric/solar heaters that work in the open-loop system.
The Solar Saver water heaters have only one, magnesium rod for protection and a single heating element for backup water heating.
EcoStor Gas
| Models | Capacity (GAL) |
Recovery 90 F rise (GPH) |
Foam THK |
| S-2-65T6FBN | 65 | 69 | 2 |
| S-2-75S6BN | 75 | 82 | |
| S-2-100T6BN | 100 | 92 |
EcoStor gas is the open-loop system which does not require an internal heat exchanger, as opposed to the closed system, which does. The open loop allows hot water, which is heated inside the solar panels, to be mixed with the potable water in the tank. These open-loop models are mainly used in warmer regions.
The solar water heaters are using the Low NOX gas burner for supplemental water heating. The gas control valve is Honeywell, which utilizes the intelligent, self-diagnostic system for easy troubleshooting.
Defender System with the flame arrestor and resettable thermal switch is found on S-2-65T6FBN models only.
EcoStor2 SC Eco-Defender Gas
| Models | Capacity (GAL) |
Recovery 90 F rise (GPH) |
Foam THK |
| S-DW4-U5036FRN | 45 | 43 | 2 |
| S-DW2-U65T6FRN | 60 | 57 |
The EcoStor2 Eco-Defender is the closed loop solar water heater with the environment-friendly gas burner that produces 75% less NOx gases than the standard type. It uses the internal double wall heat exchanger for the safe separation of the heating fluid and heated potable water.
As the upper gas models, S-DW4-U5036FRN and S-DW2-U65T6FRN are using the Honeywell self -diagnostic gas control valve that incorporates the microprocessor for the advanced temperature control, and intelligent diagnostics with LED indication.These particular models come with the Eco-Defender system that includes the advanced ScreenLok technology, digital thermal switch and provides maintenance-free operation.
EcoStor2 SC Gas
| Models | Capacity (GAL) |
Recovery 90 F rise (GPH) |
Foam THK |
| S-DW2-504T6FBN | 45 | 69 | 2 |
| S-DW2-65T6FBN | 60 | 69 | |
| S-DW2-75S6BN | 70 | 82 |
The atmospheric vented water heaters from EcoStor2 Single Coil series are installed in the closed-loop system and have the double-wall heat exchanger located inside the unit.
Defender System with the specially designed flame arrestor is found in 45 and 60-gallon models, while the sediment reducing system, intelligent gas control valve and the two protective anode rods in all three.
EcoStor2 SC Power Vent (Open Loop) Gas
| Models | Capacity (GAL) |
Recovery 90 F rise (GPH) |
Foam THK |
| S-2-TW65T6FBN | 65 | 75 | 2 |
| S-2-TW75T6BN | 75 | 82 |
EcoStor2 with the power vented system comes in two sizes; 65 and 75 gallons, both designed for open loop systems. Power vented system provides very flexible installation, so the pipes can run horizontally or vertically and with the maximum lengths of 180 ft.
Only the S-2-TW65T6FBN comes with the Defender System, while the other advanced features: Honeywell gas control valve, mixing device, Hydrojet system are present in both models.
EcoStor2 SC Power Vent (Closed Loop) Gas
| Models | Capacity (GAL) |
Recovery 90 F rise (GPH) |
Foam THK |
| S-DW2-TW-50T6FBN | 45 | 72 | 2 |
| S-DW2-TW-65T6FBN | 60 | 75 | |
| S-DW2-TW-75T6BN | 70 | 82 |
EcoStor2 power vented water heaters designed for closed-loop systems are available in three sizes, where 45 and 60-gallon models utilize the Defender System.
Other features are the same as found on open loop models.
Top Features
Sediment build-up protection
Hydrojet Total Performance System is the factory installed, specially designed dip tube, which generates the turbulent water flow, reducing the sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank and on other heater elements. This is what helps in increasing the first-hour delivery and maximizing the efficiency. Every model from the above is equipped with the feature.
Protection against corrosion
Every metal part (i.e. tank, steel coiled exchangers) inside the solar water heater is protected from the aggressive water action. These include the Vitraglass lining and one or two protective aluminum (or magnesium) anode rod, both working together against the aggressive effects of hot water, while extending the heater's life.
Thick insulation
As seen from the above tables, all Bradford White solar water heaters are utilizing the 2" thick non-CFC foam insulation, which helps in reducing the energy consumption and heat loss, while improving the efficiency.
Integrated Mixing Device
This feature allows mixing hot and cold water so the outgoing temperature is not scalding hot, but at the safe and comfortable level, while keeping the inside temperature high.
Warranty provided for the Bradford White solar units are 6 years on steel tank and component parts (some can be extended to 10 years). Call your local dealer for prices, warranty issues, replacement parts, troubleshooting and repairs.
(Photos courtesy of Bradford White)
