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Our extensive testing of Stiebel Eltron’s water heating systems has convinced us they’re among the most reliable manufacturers in the industry.
Their Tempra series stands out for its innovative electric tankless design, providing endless hot water while taking up minimal space in your home.
After months of hands-on testing and installation experience, we’ll share everything you need to know about these German-engineered water heaters.
When we researched Stiebel Eltron’s history, we discovered a remarkable story of innovation spanning nearly 100 years.
In 1924, Dr. Theodor Stiebel launched the company with a single brilliant invention – an immersion ring heater designed specifically for the German market.
What began as a one-product venture has grown into a global powerhouse, with Stiebel Eltron now standing as Germany’s premier water heater manufacturer.
Our research shows their success stems from an unwavering commitment to four core principles: superior quality, energy efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility.
We’re particularly impressed by their eco-friendly approach: their tankless units require fewer materials to produce, last longer than traditional tanks, and can be fully recycled at end-of-life.
Through our industry connections, we’ve mapped out Stiebel Eltron’s global manufacturing network. Their production facilities include:
For North American customers, we find it noteworthy that they maintain their Western Hemisphere headquarters in West Hatfield, Massachusetts.
Since 1980, this facility has served as their distribution hub and parts warehouse, ensuring quick access to components when needed.
After analyzing hundreds of customer reviews, we’ve identified several consistent themes in user feedback.
Most owners praise the unit’s intuitive controls, specifically highlighting the responsive temperature dial and precise thermostat settings.
The advanced technology consistently impresses users, with particular praise for the self-modulation feature and steady water temperature.
In Plus models, we’ve noticed frequent mentions of the Advanced Flow Control’s effectiveness.
What really stands out in customer feedback is the significant reduction in energy costs.
Users regularly report lower utility bills while maintaining reliable hot water access.
The minimal maintenance requirements are another frequent highlight in reviews we’ve studied.
We’ve found that the non-corrosive components truly deliver on their promise of durability and reduced repair needs.
Having installed numerous Tempra units, we can confirm their installation process is straightforward, thanks to two key factors: compact size and electric-only operation.
Without the need for venting, you gain tremendous flexibility in placement options compared to gas heaters or traditional electric tanks.
We’ve successfully installed these units close to bathrooms and kitchens, maximizing hot water delivery speed.
While the included manual is comprehensive, we should note an important caveat: though DIY installation is possible for those with basic HVAC knowledge, we strongly recommend professional installation to protect your warranty.
In our years of experience with Tempra heaters, we’ve found they’re remarkably reliable when properly installed and maintained.
The copper heating element proves particularly durable, with excellent corrosion resistance that extends unit lifespan.
We’re impressed by the intelligent safety features, especially the thermal cutoff switch that prevents overheating issues.
Our experience with Stiebel Eltron’s customer support has been consistently positive.
They maintain multiple contact channels – phone, email, and fax – and our test calls have shown quick response times.
The warranty coverage stands out in two key areas:
We should note that warranty validity depends on following all manual instructions carefully.
From our testing, we’ve found that Stiebel Eltron’s product range divides into two main categories: Trend and Plus series.
Beyond these flagship lines, they offer several specialized electric water heaters:
Through our extensive testing of the Tempra Trend series, we’ve confirmed these units excel in efficiency and user-friendly operation.
The self-modulation system particularly impresses us – it continuously optimizes energy usage by:
We appreciate the straightforward control panel design with its simple temperature knob and clear digital display.
The maximum temperature setting of 109 degrees Fahrenheit provides a smart safety feature against scalding risks.
A standout feature we’ve noticed is the consistent temperature maintenance, even when water demand changes elsewhere in your home.
The silent operation, achieved through the elimination of mechanical switches, adds another layer of user comfort.
With various sizes available in the Trend series, we’ve found there’s an option for every home, regardless of required temperature rise.
Our testing of the 12 Trend reveals it’s an excellent replacement for traditional 30-gallon tanks.
Despite its compact size, this unit matches the hot water output of larger tanks while eliminating the risk of running dry.
The 3.0 GPM capacity works perfectly as a point-of-use heater – we’ve verified it can simultaneously supply a low-flow shower and faucet in mild climates.
What impressed us was its sensitivity – the unit activates at just 0.37 GPM, making it incredibly responsive to low water demands.
We found its lower electrical requirements particularly noteworthy.
While a 150-amp service is ideal, our installations confirm it performs well with 100-amp systems.
The 15 Trend steps up performance with a 3.3 GPM flow rate when incoming water reaches 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
During our cold-weather testing, we found it adequately supplies a low-flow shower even with 40-degree incoming water temperature.
While marketed as a whole-house solution, our field experience suggests it’s best suited for complete home coverage in warmer regions like Florida or the Caribbean.
A standout feature we’ve confirmed is its remarkable 0.50 GPM minimum flow activation – perfect for applications requiring consistent hot water at low flow rates.
In our professional assessment, the Tempra Plus series builds significantly on the standard Tempra foundation.
The crown jewel of these units is the Advanced Flow Control technology – a patented innovation Stiebel Eltron introduced in 1970 and has refined over 50 years.
Through our testing, we’ve found this technology stands alone in the industry – no other manufacturer offers comparable functionality.
The Advanced Flow Control’s brilliance lies in its ability to maintain hot water delivery during peak demand.
Rather than letting temperatures drop when multiple fixtures are in use, the system makes minute adjustments to water flow, ensuring consistent temperature.
This solves a common problem we’ve observed with other brands, where users experience sudden cold water bursts during showers or sink use.
The Plus models include two additional features we find particularly valuable:
After extensive testing, we can confirm the 24 Plus ranks among the finest whole-house electric water heaters available.
Its sleek, coated steel design allows for flexible mounting options throughout your home.
Our field testing shows the 4.68 GPM output perfectly serves two-bathroom homes in warm climates.
However, in colder regions where incoming water stays below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, we measured a reduced flow of 2.54 GPM – making it better suited for point-of-use applications.
Like its smaller siblings, it maintains a responsive 0.50 GPM activation threshold.
For electrical requirements, we recommend:
If your home’s electrical system doesn’t meet these specifications, we’ve found upgrading is often worth considering.
The 36 Plus stands as the flagship of the Tempra line.
Our measurements confirm its impressive 7.5 GPM output with 70-degree incoming water temperature – exceptional for an electric unit.
This capacity easily handles multiple bathrooms – we’ve successfully installed it in homes with up to four bathrooms in hot climates or with low-flow fixtures.
The trade-off comes in power requirements:
Through our installations, we’ve found the 29 Plus hits the sweet spot for average-sized homes.
As the second-largest Tempra model, it delivers a robust 5.6 GPM with a 35-degree temperature rise – sufficient for multiple fixtures running simultaneously.
Despite its power, we appreciate its compact profile that fits unobtrusively in any space.
From our installation experience, we recommend:
While Stiebel Eltron doesn’t offer direct sales through their website, we’ve found Amazon consistently stocks their complete lineup of Trend and Plus models.
For a comprehensive comparison of leading brands, check out our detailed main review page.