BRADFORD WHITE SS-50-L Indirect Water Heater (50 gallons) | Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore & North Shore

One electric boiler for the whole family's heating and hot water

In a home heated by an electric boiler and a radiant floor or hot water radiators, it makes sense to give that boiler the domestic hot water as well. The Bradford White SS-50-L indirect water heater acts as the buffer tank between the boiler and your taps: it holds 50 US gallons (42 imperial gallons, 189 L) of potable water, heated by a stainless steel coil connected to the heating loop. It is a size well suited to a family home with two bathrooms. AirGreen installs it in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the South Shore and on the North Shore.

Why connect hot water to the boiler

A conventional electric tank has its own elements and its own circuit. An indirect tank, on the other hand, has no element at all: it uses the output of the boiler already installed for heating. The result shows mostly in the amount of hot water available. Since the boiler recharges the tank while you draw water, the first-hour rating of the SS-50-L is well above its volume, which helps a family run showers, a bath and the dishwasher back to back in the morning and evening.

The stainless steel tank and coil add another benefit: the vessel has no internal lining that could crack over time. It is a durable choice for a home you plan to keep for a long time.

SS-50-L specifications

• Capacity: 50 US gallons, 42 imperial gallons, 189 L.
• AHRI first-hour rating: 269 gal/h (1,018 L/h), boiler at 180 °F (82 °C).
• Continuous draw: 229 gal/h at 135 °F, or 867 L/h at 57 °C.
• Standby loss: 0.5 °F/h (0.27 °C/h).
• Heat source required for these ratings: at least 145,000 BTU/h and 14.0 gal/min (53.0 L/min).
• Boiler water: maximum supply temperature of 240 °F (116 °C).
• Heat exchanger: single-wall stainless steel coil, 1 in. (25 mm) outside diameter.
• Material: tank and heat exchanger in 444 ferritic stainless steel.
• Connections: potable water in 3/4 in. NPT; boiler in 1 in. (25 mm) female NPT, at the front.
• Height: 48 in. (1,219 mm); diameter: 24 in. (610 mm); weight: 103 lb (47 kg).

With a radiant floor or radiators

A radiant floor runs on lukewarm water, whereas the coil of an indirect tank needs much hotter water to transfer its heat well. Most systems handle this difference with a mixing valve or a control that temporarily raises the boiler temperature when the tank calls for heat. With hot water radiators, the boiler already works at a higher temperature and the integration is more direct. In both cases, we examine the existing configuration before proposing the connection, so that space heating and hot water do not interfere with each other.

What a continuous draw of 229 gal/h means

The continuous draw indicates the amount of water at 135 °F (57 °C) the tank can supply on an ongoing basis when the boiler sends it the output and flow specified by the manufacturer. This figure explains why a mid-sized indirect tank keeps up very well with back-to-back showers. Bradford White points out, however, that its certifications are obtained under specific conditions, with boiler water at 180 °F, and that different conditions give different results.

Sizing the boiler and the tank together

To reach the published ratings, the heat source must supply at least 145,000 BTU/h and a flow of 14.0 gal/min. Many residential electric boilers have a lower output; the SS-50-L then works normally, but with slower recovery than the values in the table. That is why we never choose the tank on its own: we look at the boiler's output, the home's heating load in extreme cold and your usage habits, then explain what you can really expect.

Construction and accessories

The 444 stainless steel alloy, with chromium, molybdenum and titanium, forms both the tank and the coil. The boiler connections are at the front, a practical layout when the tank is installed next to the boiler. The low-restriction brass drain valve, with a tamper-resistant design, makes flushing faster. With a standby loss of 0.5 °F/h, the stored water holds its heat well between uses. The model's ratings are AHRI certified.

Manufacturer's warranty

Bradford White's warranty terms vary depending on whether the tank is used in a residence or in a commercial application. The coverage that applies to your project is stated in your written quote.

Installation of the Bradford White SS-50-L by AirGreen

AirGreen is a family-owned heating and cooling company established in Montreal and active for more than fifteen years. Our electrical work is done under RBQ licence 5645-9605-01 (ventilation, refrigeration and electrical). Everything starts with a free on-site estimate and a written quote. For the SS-50-L, installation includes:

• analysing the electric boiler, its zones and its control;
• draining, disconnecting and removing the old electric tank;
• setting the SS-50-L near the boiler, with the required service clearance;
• connecting the coil in 1 in. NPT to the boiler supply and return, with a circulator or zone valve;
• connecting the cold and hot water in 3/4 in. NPT;
• installing the relief valve and its discharge line;
• wiring the tank sensor or thermostat and setting hot water priority;
• commissioning, air purging and maintenance advice.

How installation day goes

On installation day, hot water and heating are interrupted for a few hours, long enough to drain the old tank, modify the piping and fill the new loop. We then purge the air from the coil, check every fitting for leaks and run a complete heating cycle before leaving. We show you where the drain valve and the relief valve are, and we recommend one maintenance visit per year for the boiler and tank together.

Where we work

We serve Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, Saint-Hubert, La Prairie, Candiac, Rosemère, Sainte-Thérèse and the whole South Shore and North Shore. Our financing solution lets you spread out the cost of the project.

Request your free estimate for the Bradford White SS-50-L. Send us a photo of the boiler, its nameplate and your current tank, and we will prepare the visit.