Setup: Bradford White RTGR199X1 Condensing Tankless Gas Water Heater User Manual

Overview

The RTGR199X1 Condensing Tankless Gas Water Heater is a wall-mounted, propane-fueled water heater designed to produce domestic hot water on demand. Its condensing heat exchanger recovers additional heat from combustion exhaust, while the built-in circulation system supports faster hot-water delivery through selected recirculation configurations.

This appliance is intended for qualified installers, licensed service professionals, and trained technicians familiar with gas-fired equipment, venting, plumbing, electrical connections, and applicable building codes. It is not a storage water heater and should not be used for space heating or any application other than potable-water heating.

Specifications

• Model: RTGR199X1
• Fuel: Propane gas (LP)
• Maximum gas input: 199,000 Btu/h
• Minimum gas input: 18,000 Btu/h
• High-elevation input: 180,000 Btu/h
• Hot-water capacity: 11.1 gal/min at a 35°F rise, 8.7 gal/min at a 45°F rise, and 5.1 gal/min at a 77°F rise
• Installation: Indoor or outdoor wall-hung installation with the required outdoor vent cap where applicable
• Venting: Sealed-combustion direct vent using single-vent arrangements; maximum listed runs are 60 feet with 2-inch venting or 150 feet with 3-inch venting
• Approved vent materials: Schedule 40 PVC, CPVC, or polypropylene, when permitted by the appliance installation instructions and local code
• LP supply pressure: 8.0 to 14.0 inches water column
• Electrical supply: 120 V, 60 Hz
• Maximum current: Less than 2 A
• Power consumption: 2.7 W in standby, 74 W during operation, 188 W with the external-pump configuration, and 117 W in anti-freeze operation for the applicable configuration
• Minimum activation flow: 0.5 gal/min
• Water pressure: 15 psi minimum and 150 psi maximum
• Water-holding capacity: Less than 2 gallons
• Dimensions: Approximately 17.3 inches wide, 27.6 inches high, and 14.9 inches deep
• Weight: Approximately 85 pounds
• Ambient operating range: 14°F to 140°F
• Operating humidity: Up to 90% at 104°F

Connection sizes

• Exhaust: 2-inch PVC connection
• Combustion-air intake: 2-inch PVC connection
• Hot-water outlet: 3/4-inch NPT
• Cold-water inlet: 3/4-inch NPT
• Gas inlet: 3/4-inch NPT
• Condensate connection: 1/2-inch NPT
• Recirculation return: 3/4-inch NPT

Detailed description

The RTGR199X1 uses direct electronic ignition and automatic flame sensing. A premixed metal-fiber burner receives a controlled mixture of fuel and combustion air through the air-gas mixture actuator and blower. Heat transfers through stainless-steel primary and secondary heat exchangers as water flows through the appliance.

The unit contains a built-in circulation water pump, mixing valve, water adjustment valve, and dedicated recirculation return connection. These components allow the appliance to maintain or restore hot water in a circulating loop when the correct operating mode and piping arrangement are installed.

Safety and control components include a flame detection sensor, high-limit switch, water leak detector, gas valve, exhaust-temperature sensor, water-temperature sensor, manual power switch, main controller, and control panel. An air-intake filter and cold-water filter help protect the combustion and water circuits from contamination.

The condensate trap collects moisture produced during condensing operation. Its cleanout must remain accessible for service. The appliance casing is cold-rolled carbon steel, while the heat exchangers use stainless steel and the internal water piping includes stainless steel and PPS components.

Safety

Read the appliance installation and operation instructions completely before installation, adjustment, service, or operation. Installation and service must be performed by a trained and certified installer, qualified service agency, or gas supplier.

• Disconnect all electrical power before servicing or maintaining the water heater. Failure to do so can cause severe electric shock, serious injury, or death.
• Use only the fuel type identified for the appliance. The RTGR199X1 is an LP model and must be connected to a properly regulated propane supply.
• Follow the specified venting method and approved vent materials. Improper venting can cause combustion hazards, property damage, injury, or death.
• Only potable water may be connected to the water heater. Do not connect the appliance to a space-heating system.
• If a backflow preventer is installed, provide an expansion tank suitable for the potable-water system.
• Observe all national, state, provincial, and local plumbing, fuel-gas, electrical, and building requirements.
• Do not treat conceptual application drawings as complete installation plans. They do not show every code, design, safety, or auxiliary-equipment requirement.

Safety labels use three principal signal words. DANGER identifies an imminent hazard that will cause death or serious injury. WARNING identifies a hazard that could cause death or serious injury. CAUTION identifies a hazard that may cause minor or moderate injury or property damage.

Setup and operation

Before commissioning, the installer should verify the propane supply pressure, water pressure, venting, condensate drainage, electrical supply, combustion-air path, and all plumbing connections. The appliance installation manual must be used for the complete installation sequence, clearances, wiring, vent termination, startup procedure, and control adjustments.

Sizing the water heater

Size the system according to the expected simultaneous flow and the required temperature rise. Temperature rise is the difference between the desired outlet temperature and the incoming cold-water temperature.

Use the following relationship to estimate peak heat demand:

Peak Btu/h = 500 × demand flow in gal/min × temperature rise in °F

For example, two showers at approximately 2 gal/min each and one sink at approximately 1 gal/min create an estimated demand of 5 gal/min. With 58°F incoming water and a 120°F setpoint, the temperature rise is 62°F, producing an estimated demand of 155,000 Btu/h.

• A sink is typically estimated at approximately 1 gal/min.
• A shower is typically estimated at approximately 2 gal/min.
• A bath or garden tub is typically estimated at approximately 3.5 to 4.5 gal/min.

For a more accurate estimate, measure the cold-water temperature after room-temperature water has been purged from the supply line. Fixture flow can be measured by filling a container of known volume and dividing the volume by the filling time.

Recirculation modes

The built-in pump supports several recirculation strategies. The selected mode must match the installed piping and accessories.

• No recirculation: The circulation pump remains idle and the heater responds only when hot water is drawn.
• Internal recirculation: Water circulates inside the appliance without a dedicated return line. A timer can be configured manually or used in an automatic learning mode where supported.
• External recirculation: A dedicated return line circulates hot water through the building. The field-installed loop can also assist with freeze protection. Maximum controlled loop length is 200 feet for 1/2-inch piping or 500 feet for 3/4-inch piping.
• On-demand Title 24 mode: A push-button signal starts circulation. The pump stops after hot water reaches approximately 102°F at the installed temperature sensor. The timer is disabled in this mode.
• Crossover mode: A third-party crossover valve uses the cold-water line as the return path where no dedicated return line exists. The valve closes at approximately 95°F to limit hot water entering the cold-water piping, so water at fixtures may be warm rather than fully hot during certain conditions.

Do not repeatedly press the on-demand button while the loop is already warm. The appliance may not start another circulation cycle when the temperature sensor detects that the line has reached the required temperature.

Cascade applications

Multiple RTGR-series appliances may be connected in a cascade arrangement when greater heating capacity is required. A cascade system uses a designated leader and follower units and requires the appropriate cascade wiring, hydraulic design, controls, and commissioning.

Use separate application and installation documentation for multi-unit systems. The drawings are design references rather than complete construction plans, and the installer remains responsible for pump selection, manifold sizing, balancing, safety devices, and code compliance.

Cleaning and maintenance

Routine service should be performed by qualified personnel. Maintenance planning should include inspection of the air-intake filter, cold-water filter, condensate trap, venting, combustion-air openings, water connections, gas connections, and leak-detection components.

• Disconnect electrical power before opening the appliance or performing service.
• Keep the air-intake path and vent termination clear of debris, snow, ice, and obstructions.
• Inspect the condensate trap and use its cleanout during qualified service as required by the installation instructions.
• Check filters for blockage and clean or replace them according to the appliance service instructions.
• Inspect for water, gas, or condensate leakage and correct the cause before returning the unit to operation.
• Do not alter gas-valve, manifold-pressure, burner, or safety-control settings unless the procedure is specifically authorized in the service documentation.

Troubleshooting

When the heater does not operate correctly, begin with safe external checks. Do not bypass safety devices or attempt gas-valve repairs without proper certification.

• No hot water: Confirm electrical power, the manual power switch, propane supply, water supply, and adequate flow above the activation threshold.
• Insufficient hot water: Check simultaneous fixture demand, incoming-water temperature, temperature setting, inlet filter condition, and whether the appliance is undersized for the required temperature rise.
• Delayed hot water: Confirm the selected recirculation mode, pump operation, return-line piping, timer settings, and any required push-button or temperature-sensor connections.
• Reduced flow: Inspect the cold-water filter, recirculation filter where fitted, inlet piping, isolation valves, and system pressure.
• Repeated shutdown: Have a qualified technician inspect the vent system, combustion-air intake, condensate drainage, flame-sensing circuit, high-limit switch, water-temperature sensor, and gas supply.
• Water or condensate leakage: Turn off the water supply and power if safe to do so, then arrange qualified service. Do not operate the appliance with an active leak.
• Freeze-risk conditions: Protect the appliance and connected piping from freezing. External recirculation can provide a freeze-protection function only when the required return piping and controls are correctly installed.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• High maximum input supports substantial simultaneous domestic hot-water demand.
• Condensing heat-exchanger design extracts additional heat from combustion exhaust.
• Built-in pump supports internal, external, crossover, and on-demand recirculation arrangements.
• Compact wall-hung design uses less floor space than a conventional storage heater.
• Multiple sensors and automatic flame monitoring support controlled operation.

Cons

• Installation requires specialized knowledge of propane systems, direct venting, condensate drainage, and local codes.
• Recirculation benefits depend on correct piping, controls, accessories, and commissioning.
• Electrical power is required for ignition, controls, freeze protection, and circulation functions.
• Performance varies with incoming-water temperature, flow demand, gas supply, vent configuration, and system pressure.

The RTGR199X1 Condensing Tankless Gas Water Heater is best suited to professionally designed potable-water systems where high on-demand capacity and configurable hot-water recirculation are required. Always use the model-specific installation and operation manuals for final clearances, wiring, vent termination, startup, adjustment, and service procedures.