BRADFORD WHITE LE16U3-1NCL Commercial Electric Water Heater (6 gallons) | Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore & North Shore

Hot water at the sink without the wait: a 6 US gallon commercial tank installed near the point of use

In many businesses, the washroom or the staff sink is far from the main water heater. The result: water runs for a long time before it even gets warm, water is wasted, and employees end up washing their hands in cold water. The Bradford White LE16U3-1NCL commercial electric water heater solves this at the source. This small 6 US gallon tank (5 imperial gallons, 23 L) is installed near the sink it serves, so hot water arrives almost immediately. AirGreen installs it in businesses and offices in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore and the North Shore.

It is a simple solution that avoids running a long hot water line through the building. It also works when a washbasin is added to a space that had no hot water at all.

The point-of-use principle

The greater the distance between the water heater and the tap, the more cooled water has to be flushed out of the piping before hot water arrives. A tank placed near the point of use almost eliminates that delay. Its small volume is enough for short, repeated uses such as handwashing, and its single element brings it back to temperature between uses.

This approach does not replace a building’s main water heater: it complements it where it is poorly placed. For more demanding use, such as a shower or a dish sink, a larger tank will be needed, and we will tell you so from the assessment.

The spaces where it helps most

• The public washroom of a retail store, a convenience store or a service station.
• The staff sink in a warehouse, a garage or a workshop, far from the mechanical room.
• An upper-floor washroom added during an office renovation.
• The sink in a treatment room or an esthetics room where hands are washed between clients.

Manufacturer data for the LE16U3-1NCL

• Capacity: 6 US gallons (5 imperial gallons, 23 L).
• Element: single immersed screw-in element, copper; INCOLOY-type element available on request.
• Power: 1,500 W; according to the manufacturer, the maximum power for this model is 3,000 W, whatever the voltage.
• Power supply: single-phase use only.
• Recovery: 6 US gallons per hour (5 imperial gallons) at a 100 °F rise, or 23 L/h at a 56 °C rise, based on 1,500 W.
• Water connections: 3/4 in. (19 mm) NPT, factory-installed dielectric fittings.
• Tank: Vitraglas lining with Microban.
• Diameter: 14 in. (356 mm). Weight: 33 lb (15 kg).

A single element and a single-phase supply

The LE16U3-1NCL runs on a single element, single-phase only. At 1,500 W, it needs far less power than a large tank, which simplifies the connection in a space where the electrical panel is already heavily loaded. The manufacturer provides conversion kits for 120, 208, 240, 277, 380, 480 V, but for this model, power cannot exceed 3,000 W regardless of voltage.

The voltage of the unit delivered and the circuit that will supply it are confirmed in our written quote, after we check the panel on site. The electrical connections are made under our RBQ licence.

What a recovery of 6 US gallons per hour means

Recovery indicates how much water the unit can heat in one hour. According to Bradford White, the LE16U3-1NCL heats 6 US gallons per hour at a 100 °F rise with its 1,500 W element. For a washbasin, that is more than enough: each handwash draws only a small amount of hot water, and the element rebuilds the reserve between uses. If you expect more sustained use, we look at a larger model with you.

Choosing the location

At 14 in. in diameter and 33 lb empty, the LE16U3-1NCL fits easily in a utility closet, a janitor’s room or a space near the sink. When the planned space is tight, for example under a counter, we confirm the unit’s exact height with the manufacturer before ordering, rather than relying on an estimate.

The location must also allow the relief valve to be connected to a compliant discharge, keep access to the element for service and allow the unit to be secured firmly. We check those three points during the assessment.

Copper or INCOLOY element

The standard immersed element is copper. Bradford White also offers an INCOLOY-type element on request, an alloy that is more resistant to corrosion. When the building’s water is very hard or aggressive, this option can extend the element’s life; we tell you whether it is worthwhile in your case. In both versions, the element screws in and can be replaced without changing the tank.

Listings and warranty

According to the manufacturer’s documentation, all models are ETL listed, and applicable models are CSA verified for energy performance in accordance with C191.1-M90. The tank is protected by the Vitraglas lining with Microban, an antimicrobial technology. The "3" suffix in the model number corresponds to the 3-year limited tank warranty and 1 year on parts.

Installation of the Bradford White LE16U3-1NCL 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). Even for a small tank, we treat the installation with the same care: water, electrical and safety. Our work includes:

• a free on-site assessment of the location, the distance to the sink and the available electrical circuit;
• removing the old unit where applicable, then disposing of it;
• connecting the cold and hot water in 3/4 in., with the original dielectric fittings;
• installing the relief valve and its discharge;
• the electrical connections, made under our RBQ licence;
• commissioning, temperature setting and a check of proper operation at the tap;
• simple maintenance advice: occasional flushing, testing the relief valve and checking the element.

Service area

We work in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, La Prairie, Terrebonne, Saint-Eustache and throughout the South Shore and the North Shore.

Request your free on-site estimate for the Bradford White LE16U3-1NCL. You will receive a clear written quote, and financing options are available, even for a small project.