I never thought I would become the kind of person researching water heaters at midnight. But after dealing with inconsistent hot water and the constant anxiety of someone else using water while I was showering, I finally got tired of it.
And somehow I ended up deep in tankless water heater forums where people talk about water pressure with the intensity of sports fans.
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus kept coming up constantly as one of the better electric tankless options, so eventually I decided to stop researching and actually try it.
What is the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus Water Heater?
The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Plus is a whole-house electric tankless water heater designed to heat water on demand instead of storing hot water in a tank.
The main selling point is that it provides:
- continuous hot water
- more energy efficiency
- less space usage
- and more precise temperature control
It also uses something called Advanced Flow Control, which basically helps maintain consistent water temperature by slightly adjusting water flow if demand gets too high.
Why I Tried It
Honestly, I was tired of timing showers around the house.
You know that moment when:
- someone starts the dishwasher
- another faucet turns on
- and suddenly your shower starts emotionally collapsing?
That was happening way too often.
I also liked the idea of:
- not storing gallons of hot water constantly
- saving space
- and potentially lowering energy waste over time
But I specifically wanted electric because gas installation sounded like a much bigger project than I was mentally prepared for.
My Experience Using It
The first thing I need to say is: this is not one of those “quick, easy upgrade” purchases. The installation side matters A LOT. And honestly, I think some people underestimate that before buying it.
The unit itself is compact and clean-looking, but the electrical requirements are serious. It typically needs two 50-amp breakers and strong electrical capacity.
So before I even got to enjoy the hot water part, there was already:
- electrical planning
- panel discussions
- and multiple moments of “wait… this costs HOW much?”
Once everything was installed properly though, the actual experience felt noticeably different from traditional tank heaters.
The biggest thing I noticed immediately was consistency. Long showers stopped feeling stressful. I no longer had that subconscious countdown timer in my head, wondering when the hot water would suddenly betray me.
And weirdly, that changes your entire relationship with hot water more than you expect.
I also noticed the temperature stayed very stable most of the time, even when another fixture was running elsewhere in the house. That Advanced Flow Control feature honestly seems to do what it claims pretty well.
Now… there are still limitations. If too many things run simultaneously, you can notice reduced flow or slower heating performance depending on your climate and household demand. Several users online mentioned this too, especially in colder regions where incoming water temperatures are lower.
And I also realized electric tankless systems are not quite as “instant unlimited perfection” as marketing sometimes makes them sound. There is still a slight wait before hot water reaches fixtures sometimes.
Not terrible. Just not magical teleportation-level instant. But overall, once properly installed, the system felt extremely solid and reliable during normal daily use.
Build Quality
The actual unit feels very engineered in that German-appliance way. Minimal. Compact. Serious. Not flashy at all.
And honestly, one of the nicest things about it is how little space it takes up compared to bulky traditional tank systems.
The digital controls are simple enough that I never felt overwhelmed using them either.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very consistent water temperature
- Endless hot water under normal usage
- Saves a lot of physical space
- Energy-efficient compared to tank systems
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Installation can become expensive fast
- Requires serious electrical capacity
- Performance depends heavily on climate and household demand
- Not truly “instant” hot water
- Can struggle if oversized demand hits simultaneously
Is It a Scam?
No, I genuinely do not think the Tempra 24 Plus is a scam. But I do think electric tankless water heaters get oversimplified online. Because the actual product works well when your home is properly prepared for it. And that is the part many people skip over.
A lot of negative experiences online seem connected to:
- undersized electrical systems
- unrealistic household demand expectations
- colder climates
- or poor installation planning
Even Reddit discussions about tankless systems constantly mention how important proper sizing and electrical capacity are.
So I do not think the product itself is misleading. I think people sometimes buy it imagining: “small box = simple upgrade”, when realistically it can become a pretty serious home electrical project.
How to Use
Honestly, the biggest thing is not even operation… it is setup.
Before buying:
- check your electrical panel capacity
- understand your household hot water demand
- and make sure the sizing actually matches your climate and fixture usage
Because proper installation seems to make or break the entire experience with these systems.
Alternatives to Consider
- Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus Electric Tankless Water Heater
- Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 Trend Tankless Electric Water Heater
- EcoSmart ECO 27
- Rheem RTEX series
- Rinnai tankless systems (gas-powered options)
Conclusion — Would I Recommend It?
Honestly… yes, but only for the right setup. If your home already has strong electrical capacity and your household demand matches what this unit can realistically handle, I actually think it’s a very solid upgrade.
The consistency alone changed daily life more than I expected.
But if someone buys this without researching:
- electrical requirements
- climate limitations
- or actual household water demand
I can absolutely see how the experience becomes frustrating fast.
For me though, once everything was properly installed, it ended up feeling like one of those quiet home upgrades you stop noticing because it just works. And honestly, those are usually the best kinds.
Also read my similar review on the Apex Heater Pro