Rheem Performance 30-Gallon Short Electric Water Heater
Rheem Performance 30-Gallon Short Electric Water Heater Review
The Rheem Performance 30-Gallon Short Electric Water Heater (XE30S06ST45U1) is the tight-clearance electric tank — 30-gallon capacity in a 38"-tall lowboy form factor. The right pick for 1–2 person households with severe clearance constraints: crawl spaces, manufactured-home utility cabinets, RV/cabin installs, attic-mount applications.
Headline specifications
- Model: XE30S06ST45U1
- Capacity: 30 gallons
- Fuel: Electric, 240V
- Element: 4500W upper + 4500W lower
- First Hour Delivery: 42 GPH
- Recovery: 21 GPH at 90°F rise
- UEF: 0.93
- Warranty: 6-year
- Dimensions: 38" H × 22" diameter (lowboy)
Who this model is for
1–2 person households, ADUs / mother-in-law suites / garage apartments serving 1–2 occupants, manufactured homes with tight utility cabinets, RVs and cabins with minimal headroom, attic-mounted installs in 1930s–1950s homes where roof framing limits height. The 38" lowboy form factor is the lowest residential gas/electric tank Rheem makes — fits under standard 42" countertops.
For 2–3 person households, the Performance 38G Short Electric adds 8 gallons of capacity in a 43" form factor. For under-sink point-of-use, the Performance 6G Mini-Tank at 14" cube is the alternative single-fixture pick.
Where it beats the alternatives
Vs full-height 30G electric (e.g. AO Smith Conservationist 30G): Rheem 30G Short fits in 38" clearance vs ~47" standard. Same capacity, same warranty class. Choose short only when clearance demands it.
Vs Performance 20G Point-of-Use: 30G Short adds 10 gallons of capacity for ~$80 more. If your usage exceeds 20-gallon-per-evening pattern, step up to 30G.
Vs running plumbing from main water heater: for ADUs or detached structures, point-of-use 30G eliminates trenched hot-water plumbing — saves $1,500–$3,500 in plumbing labor.
Where it falls short
42 GPH FHD is the limit — single bathroom only. Two-shower demand will exhaust the tank.
21 GPH recovery is slow. Full reheat after depletion ~90 minutes.
0.93 UEF resistance electric. Operating cost $300–$400/year for 1–2 person households at $0.14/kWh.
6-year warranty class-baseline.
Lowboy geometry accumulates sediment — flush is more important than tall-tank installs.
Install considerations
38" height + 22" diameter. Verify floor-to-ceiling clearance accounts for ~6" above for connections. 30-amp 240V dedicated circuit. Drain pan recommended.
Install cost: $350–$750 like-for-like swap.
Maintenance
- Annual flush — critical for lowboy
- Anode check year 3, replace year 5
- T&P valve test annually
- Element inspection year 5
Bottom line
The Rheem Performance 30G Short Electric (XE30S06ST45U1) is the lowboy electric pick — 38" tall lowboy form factor for crawl space, manufactured home, and attic installs. 42 GPH FHD, 6-year warranty. For more capacity in moderately less clearance, see Performance 38G Short Electric. For full-clearance 30G installs, the standard Performance 30G Electric saves ~$50.
- 38" lowboy height — fits under-counter and attic installs
- 30-gallon capacity in lowboy form factor
- 6-year warranty
- 0.93 UEF
- Standard 30-amp circuit
- 42 GPH FHD — single-bathroom only
- 21 GPH slow recovery
- 6-year warranty class-baseline
- Sediment accumulates in lowboy geometry
- No heat-pump alternative at this clearance