BRADFORD WHITE CEHD120 6 to 18 kW Commercial Electric Water Heater (119 gallons) | Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore & North Shore

A very large hot water reserve, heated ahead of time, for buildings whose electrical service has its limits

Some buildings need a lot of hot water at specific times, but not a large amount of electrical power all the time. A community hall that serves a meal on Sundays, a school whose locker rooms run on a fixed schedule, an office building with showers for cyclists: in these cases, storing is better than heating at the last minute. The Bradford White CEHD120 commercial electric water heater, in its three-element 6 to 18 kW version, is built on that idea. It offers a 119 US gallon tank (100 imperial gallons, 450 L) and a moderate power rating that spares the building’s electrical service. AirGreen installs it in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the South Shore and on the North Shore.

Relying on reserve rather than power

A storage water heater can meet demand in two ways: with a lot of power, to reheat water while it is being used, or with a lot of volume, so the hot water is already ready when needed. The three-element CEHD120 chooses volume. During off-peak hours, its elements quietly heat the 119 US gallons; when demand arrives, the reserve covers it.

This approach has two concrete advantages. It avoids having to increase the capacity of the electrical service, which can be a significant expense in an older building. And depending on the establishment’s electricity rate, a lower power demand can also lighten the bill. On the other hand, the reserve rebuilds more slowly than with a six- or nine-element version: that is why we always check that the usage schedule gives the unit time to recover.

The buildings that benefit most

• Community halls and places of worship with a kitchen, used mainly during events.
• Elementary schools, whose consumption follows the class and activity schedule.
• Office buildings with showers and a staff kitchenette.
• Heritage buildings, where an electrical upgrade is complex and the reserve makes up for a deliberately limited power rating.

Manufacturer data for the three-element CEHD120

• Capacity: 119 US gallons (100 imperial gallons, 450 L).
• Elements: three standard screw-in elements, Incoloy-sheathed, low watt density.
• Power ratings provided: 6, 9, 12, 13.5, 15, 18 kW.
• Water connections: 1 1/2 in. (38 mm) NPT, factory-installed true dielectric fittings.
• Tank: Vitraglas lining with Microban.
• Drain valve: brass, low restriction, vandal-resistant design.
• Dimensions: 64 11/16 in. (1,643 mm) high and 30 1/4 in. (768 mm) in diameter.
• Weight: 430 lb (195 kg), standard model.

A moderate, adjustable electrical load

The three-element version is ordered in one of the power ratings provided by the manufacturer, and Bradford White specifies that three-element models "can be converted from 6 kW to 18 kW ONLY". You can therefore start at a power rating compatible with your current service, then increase it within that range if the building is upgraded later.

During the visit, we note the available capacity, the loads already connected and the consumption schedule. The combination of those three factors determines the most sensible power rating. We then write it into the quote.

Voltage and phase

The manufacturer offers the CEHD at 208 V, 240 V, 277 V, 380 V, 415 V, 480 V and 600 V. Voltage and phase must be specified when ordering, and all units are shipped from the factory as standard three-phase models. On 600 V models, only conversion of the kW rating is permitted. We confirm the building’s actual supply on site before any order.

A 30 1/4 in. diameter tank: logistics matter

At 30 1/4 in. in diameter, 64 11/16 in. in height and 430 lb empty, the CEHD120 calls for real planning. In an older building, some mechanical room doors are barely wider than the unit, and the stairs are not always suited to handling of this scale. We measure every passage during the assessment and plan the right equipment, sometimes temporarily removing a door frame.

Once in place and filled, the tank weighs a great deal more: the slab or floor must be able to carry it. A nearby floor drain will receive the relief valve discharge and the flushing water, and clearance in front of the elements will make their service easier.

Maintaining a large tank

The larger a tank, the more sediment it can accumulate at the bottom over the years. The low-restriction brass drain valve helps clear it during the annual flush we recommend. The visit also includes checking the screw-in elements and their connections, as well as testing the relief valve. The Vitraglas lining with Microban, an antimicrobial technology, and the factory-installed true dielectric fittings protect the tank over time.

Standards, options and order confirmation

According to Bradford White’s documentation, the CEHD design is UL certified for field conversion, ASME construction is available and NSF kits are offered. The full model number specifies the power, voltage, phase and ASME option: it is set with you and confirmed at ordering. The manufacturer’s warranty terms that apply to the selected unit are stated in the written quote.

Installation of the Bradford White CEHD120 (6 to 18 kW) by AirGreen

AirGreen is a family business established in Montreal, active for more than fifteen years in heating, ventilation and air conditioning and holder of RBQ licence 5645-9605-01 (ventilation, refrigeration and electrical). A tank this size is replaced according to a precise plan, from delivery to commissioning. Our work includes:

• a free on-site assessment: electrical capacity, usage schedule, delivery route and location;
• a recommendation on power and electrical configuration, confirmed in a written quote;
• draining, disconnecting and removing the old tank, then disposing of it;
• connecting the cold and hot water in 1 1/2 in., the relief valve and its discharge;
• the electrical connections, made under our RBQ licence;
• commissioning, temperature setting and a check of each element;
• maintenance recommendations suited to how the building is used.

Service area

We work in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, Chambly, Blainville, Sainte-Thérèse and throughout the South Shore and the North Shore.

Request your free on-site estimate for the Bradford White CEHD120, 6 to 18 kW. You will receive a detailed written quote, and financing options are available for your project.