Is the Ruud PROE38 S2 RU95 B right for your installation?
The Ruud PROE38 S2 RU95 B is a short, blanket-supplied electric tank with 38 gallons nominal capacity and 35 gallons rated storage. Ruud lists a 51-gallon first-hour rating and 0.92 UEF. The B suffix identifies the version to use when checking its specification row and ordering the heater.
Its bare tank is 31½ inches high and 23 inches in diameter, but those dimensions exclude the required supplied insulation blanket. For a low closet or platform installation, the insulated dimensions are more relevant than the bare cylinder shown in many supplier listings.
Image note: Ruud supplies one tall-tank photograph for this family. It is a representative manufacturer image; this short model has different proportions. The required blanket is not shown. Use the dimensions above to judge fit.
Ruud PROE38 S2 RU95 B specifications
| Exact model | PROE38 S2 RU95 B |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer classification | Short electric storage tank; indoor installation |
| Nominal capacity | 38 gallons |
| Rated storage | 35 gallons |
| First-hour rating | 51 gallons |
| Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) | 0.92 |
| Standard supply / elements | 240V AC, single phase; two 4,500W elements, non-simultaneous operation |
| Recovery at a 90°F temperature rise | 21 gallons per hour with the standard 4,500W configuration |
| A — tank body height | 31½ inches before the blanket |
| B — height to water connections | 34 inches before the blanket |
| C — tank diameter | 23 inches before the blanket |
| Water connections | Top; ¾-inch NPT, shown on 8-inch centers in the series drawing |
| Required supplied external blanket | Yes; required to achieve the listed UEF. See the dimensional allowance below. |
| Approximate shipping weight | 108 lb; not the filled operating weight |
| Base limited warranty | Six years tank and parts for eligible single-family residential use; written terms apply |
Rated storage, first-hour delivery and UEF measure different things. They do not by themselves establish a number of showers or a household’s energy bill.
Dimensions, connections and replacement fit
The double-asterisk footnote adds two inches to tank height and four inches to diameter. That gives a calculated insulated body envelope of about 33½ inches high by 27 inches in diameter. The bare water connections are listed at 34 inches. These figures describe different measurements; the blanket envelope is not a complete installed-height or service-clearance specification.
The supplied blanket is part of this model’s rated configuration. The older, general use-and-care manual linked by Ruud contains blanket language saying an additional blanket is unnecessary. The May 2024 model-specific sheet explicitly requires the supplied blanket on this B model to achieve its UEF. Follow the exact heater’s supplied blanket instructions; do not omit it based on that generic paragraph. Keep controls, labels and the relief-valve arrangement accessible as directed.
WHE checks the full delivery route, supporting surface, drain pan, nearby pipes and access to the front panels, drain valve and anode. The tank dimensions are not minimum installation clearances. We also review water pressure, thermal expansion and temperature-and-pressure relief discharge as part of the scope.
Compare nearby Ruud models
| Model | Nominal / rated gallons | First-hour gallons | Body height × diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROE38 S2 RU95 B (short) | 38 / 35 | 51 | 31½ × 23 in. before blanket |
| PROE36 S2 RU95 (short) | 36 / 33 | 46 | 31½ × 24¼ in. |
| PROE47 S2 RU95 (short) | 47 / 43 | 54 | 32 × 26¼ in. |
The 36 short lists 33 gallons rated storage and 46 gallons first-hour delivery. This 38 B adds two gallons of rated storage and five gallons in the first-hour test, while needing more width once its blanket is fitted. The 47 short has 43 gallons rated storage and a 54-gallon first-hour rating, with a 26¼-inch body diameter. It is therefore slightly narrower than this model’s calculated 27-inch insulated body, even though it stores more water. The pan and access route still need separate measurement.
WHE sizes around peak use, including shower flow, tub volume and overlapping appliances. These standard configurations share 21 GPH recovery at a 90°F rise; a larger tank does not automatically reheat faster.
Electrical configuration and installation planning
Standard power is 240V AC, single phase, with two 4,500W elements operating one at a time. Ruud notes special-order electrical options; the ratings here are for the standard configuration.
WHE checks the delivered nameplate and wiring diagram against the available circuit. These conventional tanks have no combustion flue or heat-pump condensate system. If considering relocation from an attic to a garage, send photos of both locations for an estimate.
Maintenance and warranty
The series sheet lists stainless steel elements, an anode, Ruudglas tank lining, an EverKleen diffuser and a brass drain valve. Follow the supplied manual for sediment maintenance and anode inspection; the diffuser does not make the heater maintenance-free.
The linked AP16826-2 certificate (September 2014) provides six-year limited tank and parts coverage for eligible single-family use by the original owner, and lists one year for other locations. Labor, removal and reinstallation are excluded. Confirm the supplied certificate and retain your records. ProtectionPlus is a separate extension.
Manufacturer documentation and product-image notes
The specifications above come from Ruud’s May 2024 PROE RU N Rev. 16 specification sheet, linked from its Professional Achiever Standard Electric family page. Sources checked October 17, 2026.
The webpage’s model table uses the older Energy Factor label and shows 0.95 on many rows. EF and UEF are different measures; this guide uses the linked sheet’s model-specific UEF values. The webpage also describes a copper upper element while the sheet says stainless steel upper and lower elements. The sheet is the basis here, with the supplied nameplate and parts documentation checked for the actual heater.
Ruud also links the general AP9029-12 use-and-care manual (January 2015) and six-year limited warranty certificate. Use these references alongside the exact instructions delivered with the unit. A family photo or optional feature mentioned elsewhere on the page does not establish an included accessory.
Local installation help
Water Heating Experts helps homeowners in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and nearby Palm Beach County communities compare fit and hot-water demand. Send photos of the existing label, full installation and surrounding space. Start with our Ruud installation page, review our electric water heater service, or compare the full model catalog. Availability and the complete installation price are confirmed with your estimate.
Ruud PROE38 S2 RU95 B FAQs
How much water does the PROE38 S2 RU95 B store?
It is a 38-gallon nominal model with 35 gallons of rated storage. The 51-gallon first-hour rating measures delivery during a standardized hour, including newly heated water; it is not the amount stored at once.
Can the 38 B fit in a 23-inch-wide space?
No. Twenty-three inches is the bare tank diameter. Ruud’s required blanket adds four inches, bringing the calculated insulated diameter to about 27 inches before extra space for the pan, connections and service.
Do both 4,500W elements run at the same time?
Not in Ruud’s standard configuration. The sheet specifies non-simultaneous operation, meaning the controls operate one element at a time. This is not a standard 9,000W simultaneous heater. WHE verifies the nameplate and circuit before installation.
Is the insulation blanket optional?
No. Ruud’s current sheet says the supplied blanket is required for this B model to achieve its listed UEF. Include the correct blanket allowance when checking fit and follow the instructions supplied with the heater.
Does the six-year warranty include labor?
No. Ruud’s linked certificate excludes labor, removal and reinstallation costs. The six-year tank and parts term is for eligible single-family use; the certificate sets different terms for other installations. ProtectionPlus is a separate extension, not the base warranty.