Stiebel Eltron Tempra Water Heater: Review & Buying Tips
The Tempra Plus from Stiebel Eltron is one of the best-selling electric water heaters on Amazon. Made in Europe to strict quality control protocols, these electric tankless water heaters are capable of providing an endless stream of water on-demand thanks to their self-modulating flow technology. Let’s take a deeper look at the Stiebel Eltron Tempra heater.
Read our list of the Best Electric Tankless Water Heaters here.
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Tankless Water Heater
Manufactured by Stiebel Eltron, a pioneer and leader in tankless water heating technology for over 90 years, the Tempra 36 Plus is a whole-house water heater that uses a patented Advanced Flow Control function to manage output flow and temperature. This means that, in addition to instant hot water (a benefit of all tankless heaters), the Tempra will also sense demand and adapt its performance to keep water hot for as long as required. In addition, Stiebel Eltron packs the Tempra with industry-leading features, such as a programmable memory, digital display, and a rigorously-tested build.
We wrote this review to give consumers all the information they need about the Tempra 36 and other heaters in Stiebel Eltron’s Tempra range. We’ve compiled data on key features such as water flow, heat output, previous customer reviews, and the opinions of expert reviewers.
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 is available from Amazon with Prime shipping in the United States. Check out the product detail page for more information.
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36: Overview
As we highlight in our Best Of list, the Stiebel Eltron Tempra is the most well-reviewed tankless electric water heater on the internet. Owners of the heater, as well as expert review sites, often say that the Tempra is the best electric heater available on the market right now, largely thanks to its impressive construction that provides many years of seamless water heating for the vast majority of users.
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 checks all the boxes for a high-performance whole-house heater. It creates hot water in a matter of seconds, at a flow rate of between 3.5 and 7.5 GPM depending on input water temperature. These states mean the Tempra should be capable of running four showers or multiple sink faucets simultaneously.
Stiebel Eltron’s Advanced Flow Control is one of the industry’s most well-reviewed self-modulating devices, able to sense peak demand periods and reduce output to manage hot water production.
Add a 7-year warranty and a manufacturing process certified by leading bodies like the ANSI, ISO, and WQA, and the Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus comes out as one of the safest purchases in the heater market.
Heater features:
- Industry-leading self-modulating flow control
- Unlimited supply of hot water
- Up to 7.5 GPM at 99% energy efficiency
- Small design with no venting required.
- 7/3-year warranty
- European certified construction
- Clear digital display with programmable memory
Energy efficiency ratings/certifications:
- Rated for 99% energy efficiency (almost all electricity deployed to heating elements)
- Certified to ANSI/UL Std. 499
- Conforms to Can/CSA Std. C22.2 No. 88.
- Tested and Certified by Water Quality Association against NSF/ANSI 372 for lead-free compliance.
Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus Certifications:
Flow rate/water pressure:
Actual flow rate will always depend upon the temperature of your incoming water and the condition of the heating elements inside the unit. In mild climates with mild-to-warm incoming water, the Stiebel 36 kW can achieve a flow of up to 7.5 GPM, which is among the best in the industry for its size. When incoming water is colder (below 42 degrees), you may however only receive a flow rate of 3.9 GPM.
The sensors inside the Stiebel 36 are set to activate at a minimum rate of 0.77 GPM. This is acceptable, though slightly high compared to other manufacturers. As a result, we think some users may find that the controls for their hot water faucets become less sensitive.
- Minimum pressure for the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36: 30 psi (2 bar)
- Working pressure for the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36: 150 psi (10 bar)
- Tested to pressure: 300 psi (20 bar)
Heating capacity:
Stiebel Eltron heaters match competitors in terms of heating capacity and range. The Tempra line is available in a wide variety of sizes, from 12 to 36 kW, each able to heat water between 80 and 140 degrees.
This is more than sufficient for standard uses such as hand washing (68 °F), showers (107 °F), and even commercial-grade laundry (140 °F).
Fuel type:
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus is an electric tankless water heater. It runs on 36 kW, which is a considerable amount of electricity for standard home wiring, meaning that you may need to make some adjustments to your service panel to safely install the unit.
The manufacturer recommends that the 36 kW option is used with 3 50 amp circuit breakers, a minimum household electric service of 300 amps, and an amperage draw of 150 amps.
Heater applications:
This heater will handle 3+ bathroom homes comfortably. When the incoming water temperature is sufficiently warm, It can run up to four appliances simultaneously. The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 can also be used to heat water in smaller homes in colder climates.
Display type:
An LED digital display that makes it easy to input settings and achieve the desired temperature. There are 2 memory presets to let you easily switch between user modes.
Material Composition:
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra uses copper conductors to increase water temperature, which is the standard heating element used in most electric water heaters.
Every Tempra unit contains multiple temperature and flow sensors, which feed data into a microprocessor control that’s capable of modulating output to maintain performance.
All Stiebel Tempra heaters are built with 100% load overcurrent protection.
★★★★★
Customer reviews for Stiebel Eltron Tempra: Highlights
- Many reviews highlight reliability. Long-term owners regularly cite over a decade of use with minimal maintenance.
- For many contractors and home renovators, reviews suggest that the Tempra is a go-to choice for easy install and efficient performance.
- One reviewer claimed to have installed over 50 units in different houses without a single issue.
- Other reviews note how small and quiet the heater is.
- Some reviewers report positive feedback when taking advantage of Stiebel Eltron’s 7-year warranty. (Here are the full warranty terms).
Reading customer reviews: Any downsides?
- From mid-2019 to early 2020, several reviewers on Amazon reported faulty heaters that would not turn on, despite professional installation by electricians. It seems that there was an issue with a single batch of heaters from the factory. Since then, such reports have not re-emerged.
- Some reviewers report needing to select a larger size heater than is recommended by the manufacturer in order to achieve a sufficient flow rate and coverage.
Read all reviews for the Stiebel Tempra 36 on the Amazon product page >
Brand reputation: Are Stiebel Eltron tankless water heaters any good?
From the brand: “Stiebel Eltron was founded by Dr. Theodor Stiebel in 1924 to manufacture his revolutionary immersion water heaters. More than 90 years later, the company is still family-owned and is a household name in Europe, known for the engineering and manufacturing excellence of our electric tankless water heaters.”
Installation: Product manuals and guides
How to flush a Stiebel Eltron tankless water heater
All electric water heaters that contain copper coils need annual flushing to stop a build-up of mineral scale from affecting performance. How often you’ll need to flush your Stiebel Eltron heater depends upon the water hardness in your area—very hard water may require twice-yearly flushing.
To flush your Stiebel Eltron Tempra, disconnect it from the power and depressurize it by opening the valve on the hot water line. Be careful not to burn yourself and ensure you have an adequately sized bucket to capture any water contained in the unit.
Flushing or “de-liming” requires running a descaling solution through the copper coils to remove built-up mineral sediment. Branded solutions are available from good hardware stores, but diluted food-grade white vinegar can also work well
To circulate the solution, you’ll need a submersible pump. After flushing, rinse through with cold water for at least 10 minutes.
Where is it made?
Stiebel Eltron tankless heaters are Manufacturer made in Holzminden, Germany.
How to install a Stiebel Eltron tankless water heater
Because it’s a small, lightweight heater, installing the Tempra unit itself is a relatively easy job that can be carried out by almost anyone. However, connecting the unit to your home’s plumbing and electrical wiring is a more complex procedure that may require a professional
Here’s the full installation manual from the manufacturer. Also, be sure to check warranty details for any conditions on installation. Many manufacturers will void product warranties after a DIY install.
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra requires ¾˝ NPT connections. Using flexible braided hose connections to screw onto the hot and cold water outlets may also make it easier to perform annual maintenance, such as flushing the system or cleaning the sediment filter screen.
Other Stiebel Eltron Tempra tankless water heaters
The Tempra Plus line includes several differently powered heaters, each with the same central self-modulating technology. They range from 12 kW all the way up to the 36 kW model reviewed here.
Choose a lower-power heater for point-of-use applications, a mid-range heater for apartments and townhouses, and a larger heater for full-size homes where multiple appliances may be used at the same time.
Stiebel Eltron also produces a line of Tempra “Trend” heaters, which don’t feature the company’s signature auto-modulating technology.
What size Stiebel Eltron Tempra electric tankless water heater do I need?
Select the smallest Tempra Plus unit that’s able to provide adequate GPM for your needs. When choosing, be sure to factor in the average winter temperature of your incoming water, and add a little room between maximum water needs and maximum heater capacity.
Here’s the manufacturer’s guide to the entire Tempra Plus and Trend lines. We recommend selecting the 36 kW for larger families with multiple bathrooms, as well as those living in colder areas of the country.
Bottom line – Should I buy this specific tankless water heater?
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra Plus is a reliable, well-reviewed tankless electric water heater that leaves most users highly impressed with its performance. Its Advanced Flow Control technology is one of the best self-modulating systems currently on the market and should ensure that your home enjoys a continuous supply of hot water, even in peak demand periods.
