Is the Rheem PROE38 S2 RH95 B right for your replacement?
The Rheem PROE38 S2 RH95 B is a 38-gallon nominal short electric storage water heater for installations where a medium or tall tank may be impractical. The useful question is whether the finished heater, connections and service access fit—not just whether its bare tank clears the opening. Water Heating Experts evaluates that fit alongside household hot-water demand for replacements in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and nearby communities.
Storage, efficiency and hot-water delivery
Rheem lists 38 gallons nominal capacity, 35 gallons rated storage, a 51-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
Rheem lists a 31½-inch bare-tank height, 23-inch diameter and 34-inch height to the water connections. The B model requires the included insulation blanket to reach its published 0.92 UEF. That blanket adds 2 inches to tank height and 4 inches to diameter. The resulting tank-and-blanket envelope is approximately 33½ inches high by 27 inches wide; the water connections still reach 34 inches before additional fittings.
That extra width is easy to miss when replacing an older lowboy heater. WHE checks the opening, drain-pan space, shutoff access, relief-valve discharge and the route for removing the old equipment. A tight enclosure must also permit element and anode service. The blanket is installed according to the supplied instructions, with safety components and service access preserved.
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 28-gallon B model has 26 gallons rated storage and a 45-gallon first-hour rating, compared with this model’s 35 and 51 gallons. Its approximate blanket-covered diameter is 24¾ inches, making the smaller unit a potentially useful comparison when width is limited—but only if its delivery is sufficient.
The 47-gallon standard short model has 43 gallons rated storage and a 54-gallon first-hour rating. Its 26¼-inch tank diameter is actually smaller than this 38 B model’s approximate 27-inch blanket-covered diameter. The 47’s model row does not carry the B-model blanket footnote. WHE still checks both units’ complete installation requirements rather than choosing by gallon label alone.
A Rheem PROE40 M2 RH95 medium-height tank is another distinct configuration; a similar capacity label does not mean it will fit a short-tank location.
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 PROE38 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. Confirm the delivered heater’s nameplate and current instructions before installation.
PROE38 S2 RH95 B frequently asked questions
How tall is the Rheem PROE38 S2 RH95 B?
The bare tank is 31½ inches tall and the water connections are 34 inches high. The required insulation blanket increases the tank height by 2 inches. Allow additional room for fittings and service.
Why must I allow 27 inches of width for a 23-inch tank?
Rheem’s 23-inch diameter is measured before the insulation blanket is installed. The included blanket adds 4 inches to the diameter and is required to achieve the listed 0.92 UEF.
What is the difference between 38 gallons and the 51-gallon first-hour rating?
The model has 38 gallons nominal capacity and 35 gallons rated storage. Its 51-gallon first-hour rating includes stored hot water and recovery during a standardized delivery test. It does not mean the tank holds 51 gallons.
Does it need a gas line or exhaust vent?
No. This is a standard electric resistance storage heater. It needs the specified electrical supply and proper plumbing, drainage and service access, but no combustion flue or gas connection.
Is the 47-gallon short model automatically a better replacement?
No. It offers more rated storage, but first-hour delivery, connection heights, electrical requirements and access still matter. WHE compares the exact models against your space and peak use before recommending one.
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.