Is the Rheem PROE28 S2 RH95 B right for your replacement?
The Rheem PROE28 S2 RH95 B is a 28-gallon nominal short electric storage water heater in the Professional Classic series. It is worth considering when a taller tank will not fit, but the smaller storage volume and required insulation blanket both matter. At Water Heating Experts, we check the usable installation space and your busiest hot-water period before recommending this model for a home in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter or surrounding communities.
Storage, efficiency and hot-water delivery
Rheem lists 28 gallons nominal capacity, 26 gallons rated storage, a 45-gallon first-hour rating and 0.92 Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) for this exact model. Standard recovery is approximately 21 gallons per hour at a 90°F temperature rise. First-hour rating is a standardized delivery measure that includes stored hot water and recovery; it is not tank volume or a promise of unlimited hot water.
Dimensions and installation space with the insulation blanket
The specification sheet lists a 30-inch bare-tank height, 19¾-inch bare-tank diameter and 32¼-inch height to the water connections. Rheem requires the supplied insulation blanket to achieve the stated 0.92 UEF. The blanket adds 2½ inches to tank height and 5 inches to diameter, making the tank-and-blanket envelope approximately 32½ inches high by 24¾ inches wide. These calculated dimensions do not include the room needed for piping, a drain pan or service.
A cabinet that accepts the bare tank may not accept the completed installation. WHE also checks access to the heating elements and anode, the relief-valve discharge route and the space needed to remove the heater later. We use the exact installation instructions when fitting the blanket so service and safety components remain accessible.
Electrical supply, plumbing and venting
The standard specification is 240V AC, single phase, with 4,500-watt upper and lower elements operating non-simultaneously. The two elements do not create a 9,000-watt simultaneous load in this configuration. Rheem allows specifically ordered wattage or wiring variations, so WHE checks the actual nameplate, branch-circuit capacity, disconnect and grounding instead of assuming every unit with the base model number is electrically identical.
This is an indoor electric resistance tank, with no gas supply or combustion exhaust vent. It still needs a suitable dry location, accessible controls, correctly connected water lines and an unobstructed temperature-and-pressure relief discharge arrangement. WHE evaluates water pressure, thermal expansion, drainage and the existing plumbing as part of the replacement. The manufacturer lists ¾-inch NPT water connections.
How it compares with other Rheem models
The B suffix matters. Rheem lists the separate PROE28 S2 RH95 without B at 25 gallons rated storage and 23 inches bare-tank diameter. The requested B version has 26 gallons rated storage and a narrower bare tank, but the required blanket makes its installed footprint wider than that bare-tank measurement suggests.
The 38-gallon PROE38 S2 RH95 B increases rated storage to 35 gallons and first-hour rating to 51 gallons. Its blanket-covered diameter is approximately 27 inches. The 47-gallon PROE47 S2 RH95 provides 43 gallons rated storage and a 54-gallon first-hour rating, with a 26¼-inch tank diameter. Capacity, connections and the completed footprint all need to be compared together.
Maintenance and limited warranty
Rheem lists a protective tank lining, anode rod, resistored heating elements, sediment-reduction diffuser and brass drain valve. These features do not eliminate maintenance. WHE can assess sediment, anode condition and service access when discussing ongoing care.
The linked Rheem certificate provides a six-year limited tank and parts warranty for qualifying single-family installations, subject to its written terms and exclusions. It excludes service and installation labor and specifies shorter coverage for other installation settings. ProtectionPlus is an optional tank-warranty extension, not automatic ten-year coverage. Pricing, equipment availability and any WHE installation coverage are confirmed in the estimate.
Manufacturer sources: Rheem PROE28 S2 RH95 B product page; Professional Classic specification sheet, PROE RH N Rev. 16 (May 2024); electric water heater use and care manual; and six-year limited warranty certificate. The 28 B product page displays a 23-inch height, which conflicts with the exact model row in the specification sheet. This guide uses the sheet’s 30-inch bare-tank height and its separate blanket and connection dimensions. Confirm the delivered heater’s nameplate and current instructions before installation.
PROE28 S2 RH95 B frequently asked questions
Is the B model the same as the standard PROE28 S2 RH95?
No. Rheem lists different rated storage, diameter and connection height for the two versions. This guide covers PROE28 S2 RH95 B, including the insulation blanket required for its published efficiency.
How much room does the 28 B model need?
The bare tank measures 30 inches high by 19¾ inches in diameter. Adding the required blanket gives an approximate tank-and-blanket envelope of 32½ by 24¾ inches. Piping, the drain pan and service access require additional space.
Does the tank actually hold 28 gallons?
Rheem identifies it as 28 gallons nominal capacity and 26 gallons rated storage. Its 45-gallon first-hour rating measures hot-water delivery under a standardized test; it is not the volume stored in the tank.
What electrical supply does it use?
The standard specification is 240V AC, single phase, with two 4,500-watt elements operating non-simultaneously. WHE verifies the supplied unit’s nameplate and the existing branch circuit before installation.
Can a short 28-gallon tank replace my larger heater?
Only if its hot-water delivery meets your needs and the installation is compatible. Reduced height does not compensate for insufficient storage during overlapping showers or other peak use. WHE reviews those demands before recommending a smaller tank.
Get a WHE short electric water heater estimate
For faster service, text clear photos of the existing heater’s model label, electrical connection, water piping and the full installation space to 561-602-9062. Include opening width and available height if you can measure them safely. WHE can help assess a compatible electric water heater replacement and explain the work before confirming equipment or pricing. Use the estimate button above to request an appointment.