When thinking about remodeling or building a bathroom, you may think that water heating has to be done by a bulky tanked water heater, but that’s not your only option. Stiebel Eltron has been in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry for many years, as it was established in 1924.
This German manufacturer produces several types of electric tankless water heaters, and we have chosen one model for our Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 review. Throughout our independent review, you will get to know the ins and outs of this water heater. This technology is almost 100 years old, with great popularity in Asia and Europe.
Once you are finished reading our article, you will hopefully be armed with everything you need to make your next purchase with confidence. Read on to learn about warranty, application, electric service requirements and more.
Contents
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 Specifications
The slim model from Stiebel Eltron comes as a compact solution for a small household. The manufacturer recommends this type of tankless water heaters as a replacement for about a 30-gallon tanked water heater. Going by the size recommendation, this unit can comfortably be used as a point-of-use solution for most condos, apartments and so on.
In order to safely use this water heater, you need to have a 100-amp electric service at least, but a 150-amp service would be better. You don’t have to worry much about the electric needs of this unit, as it only draws 12kW at 240V. Additionally, this unit uses self-modulating technology, so it will self-regulate the amount of power it uses, thus further increasing the savings on your energy bill.
We were satisfied with the efficiency of the unit, as it has a 99% energy efficiency rating. Following the recommendation of the manufacturer in the installation guide of Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12, we installed the unit in a bathroom located in a moderate climate. The machine supported a low-flow shower and a faucet simultaneously with a good flow rate. You can refer to our guide to learn more about the potential savings these machines can bring you.
Customer Support and Warranty
In order to contact the company with any questions or problems, you can use the standard methods like their customer support phone line, fax or email. Customers generally reported that they were happy with the help they received by Stiebel Eltron’s customer service, regarding problems and advice in general.
This unit has two sets of coverage with its warranty. Firstly the unit has a 7-year no-leakage policy. Secondly, the parts are covered with a 3-year policy that ensures the parts are free from any manufacturing defects.
What to Expect from Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12?
What you can get from this unit depends on your personal application. When the unit is used in a hot climate, it is at its most effective and can support multiple fixtures. But if you live in an area where the inlet water temperature is around 52°F (11°C), then you can expect about one standard fixture to be supported by this water heater.
Maintenance is relatively low, as you won’t have to do much in order to service this model. This unit also comes with a safety feature in the form of a thermal cut-off switch. This will prevent any overheating caused by the copper-based heating elements and ensure a longer life for the entire heater.
Pros
- Uses self-modulating technology for efficient energy use
- Has a 99% energy efficiency rating
- Equipped with solid copper heat exchangers
Cons
- Can’t support homes in cold climates
- Requires a 100-amp electric service at minimum
Wrap Up
Here we come to the end of our Stiebel Eltron Tempra 12 review. If you are looking to cover the needs of a single-person home, then this unit may be the one you were looking for. The manufacturer was right when recommending it to be used in a warmer climate, and we wouldn’t recommend using this heater with very cold inlet water.
Before considering this unit for your home, always remember checking the GPM flow rate of your fixtures to make sure the on-demand heater can support them. If you’re not sure, you can always get low-flow fixtures that will utilize your water supply much better. That is all for our review if there are any unanswered questions please feel free to leave a comment, and we will respond as soon as we can.
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