Rheem Performance 38-Gallon Short Electric Water Heater

The Rheem Performance 38-Gallon Short Electric Water Heater (XE38S06ST45U1) is the low-clearance electric tank — 38-gallon capacity in a reduced-height form factor for crawl-space, low-ceiling closet, and basement rim-joist installs. 4500W dual-element, 6-year warranty, 0.93 UEF.

Headline specifications

• Model: XE38S06ST45U1
• Capacity: 38 gallons
• Fuel: Electric, 240V
• Element: 4500W upper + 4500W lower
• First Hour Delivery: 52 GPH
• Recovery: 21 GPH at 90°F rise
• UEF: 0.93
• Warranty: 6-year
• Dimensions: 43" H × 22" diameter (short form factor)

Who this model is for

2–3 person all-electric households with low-clearance install locations. Common scenarios: ranch homes with basement rim-joist clearance below 50", manufactured homes with low-clearance utility closets, attic-mounted installs where standard 50" tank height won't clear roof framing, finished basements with drop-ceiling clearance issues.

For full-clearance installs, the standard Performance 40G Electric at 50" height saves ~$30 with equivalent warranty. For even tighter clearance, drop to Performance 30G Short Electric. For long-term electrification, the ProTerra 50G Heat Pump uses one-third the electricity (but needs 79" headroom — incompatible with low-clearance constraints).

Where it beats the alternatives

Vs standard-height Performance 40G Electric: short-form sacrifices 2 gallons capacity and 7" height. Worth it only for genuinely low-clearance installs.

Vs Performance 38G Short Gas: electric runs $300–$450/year more in operating cost. Choose electric only if natural gas isn't available.

Vs lowboy electric from competitors (Bradford White / AO Smith): spec-comparable, similar 6-year warranties. Rheem wins on Home Depot availability.

Where it falls short

52 GPH FHD is tight for 2–3 person households. Two showers within an hour will run cold.

0.93 UEF is class-standard resistance electric. Operating cost $350–$500/year — ~3x what a heat pump would use, but heat pumps don't fit low-clearance installs (heat pumps are 70"+ tall).

Recovery is 21 GPH — slow. After full depletion, ~110 minutes for full reheat.

6-year warranty class-baseline.

Short-form geometry accumulates sediment in the flat bottom — annual flushing matters more.

Install considerations

43" height + 22" diameter — fits very tight ceiling clearance. 30-amp 240V dedicated circuit required. Drain pan recommended in finished spaces.

Install cost: $400–$800 like-for-like swap with existing 30G/40G lowboy electric.

Maintenance

• Annual flush — critical in short-form geometry
• Anode check year 3, replace year 5
• T&P valve test annually
• Element inspection year 5

Bottom line

The Rheem Performance 38G Short Electric (XE38S06ST45U1) is the low-clearance electric pick — 43" height for installs where standard 50"+ won't fit. 52 GPH FHD, 6-year warranty, 0.93 UEF. Right pick for 2–3 person all-electric households with clearance constraints. For full-clearance installs, choose Performance 40G Electric. For long-term operating cost minimization in installs that accommodate it, see ProTerra 50G Heat Pump.