Rheem Performance 38-Gallon Short Gas Water Heater

The Rheem Performance 38-Gallon Short Gas Water Heater (XG38T06EN38U0) is the low-clearance gas tank — reduced height for crawl-space, basement-rim-joist, and low-ceiling closet installs that won't accommodate the 60"-tall standard 40G/50G. Atmospheric venting, 38,000 BTU, 6-year warranty.

Headline specifications

• Model: XG38T06EN38U0
• Capacity: 38 gallons
• Fuel: Natural gas, atmospheric vent
• BTU input: 38,000 BTU/h
• First Hour Delivery: 65 GPH
• Recovery: 38 GPH at 90°F rise
• UEF: 0.60
• Warranty: 6-year
• Dimensions: 49" H × 22" diameter (short form factor)

Who this model is for

Right buyer profile: 2–3 person households with low-clearance install locations. Common scenarios: ranch homes with basement rim-joist clearance below 60", manufactured homes with low-clearance utility closets, attic-mounted installs where standard-height tanks won't clear roof framing, finished basements with low drop-ceilings. The 49" height drops below the standard 60" of regular 40G atmospheric tanks while preserving close-to-equivalent capacity.

For full-clearance installs, the standard Performance Plus 40G at 60" height with the same warranty saves $30. For very tight diameter clearance (18"), the Performance 29G Compact is the alternative compact pick. For low-clearance installs needing higher capacity, see the Performance 40G Short Gas.

Where it beats the alternatives

Vs Performance Plus 40G full-height: short-form sacrifices 2 gallons (38 vs 40) and 5 GPH FHD (65 vs 70) for 11" of height reduction. Worth it only when you genuinely can't fit a 60" tank.

Vs Performance 38G Short Electric: gas operating cost is lower by $250–$400/year for typical 2–3 person households if you have natural gas service. Electric is the only path if you don't.

Vs Bradford White lowboy gas 40G: Bradford White has the contractor-channel reputation; Rheem has Home Depot availability + 6-year warranty equivalence. Choose by retailer.

Where it falls short

65 GPH FHD is below the standard 40G class (75 GPH). For households running 2 simultaneous demand points, this is tight.

38,000 BTU is slow recovery. After full depletion, ~60 minutes for full reheat.

0.60 UEF is bottom of class — the short tank's flat geometry sacrifices some thermal efficiency vs taller tanks.

Atmospheric venting requires chimney access. For closet installs, no power-vent variant in this short-form 38G size.

22" diameter is full-width — short reduces height only, not diameter. For diameter-constrained installs, the 29G Compact is the alternative.

Install considerations

49" height + 22" diameter. Verify floor-to-ceiling clearance accounts for tank height + connection clearance (~6" above for hot/cold connections + flue). Standard 1/2" gas line. Atmospheric flue.

Install cost: $700–$1,200 like-for-like swap.

Maintenance

• Annual flush (short tanks accumulate sediment in the flat bottom — flush is more important)
• Anode check year 3, replace year 5
• T&P valve test annually
• Burner inspection every 2 years

Bottom line

The Rheem Performance 38G Short Gas (XG38T06EN38U0) is the low-clearance gas pick — 49" height for installs where 60" won't fit. 65 GPH FHD, 6-year warranty. Right pick when the install location genuinely can't take a full-height tank. For full-clearance installs, the standard 40G is sized better and costs the same.