In cold areas, constant access to hot water is necessary. But, for a constant supply of that hot water, you will need to have a heater capable enough to fulfill your hot water needs for different uses.
The conventional solution to solve the hot water problem is the tank water heater. But, these heaters have many downsides, like they are bulky and inefficient. These two and few other problems can be solved if you install a tankless water heater.
Due to the advantages of tankless water heaters, tank-type water heaters are becoming less popular and their use is declining.
A sophisticated and reliable water heater makes your work much easier. The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 plus is one of the best electric tankless water heaters on the market. It is a compact unit with dimensions of 4.6 x 16.6 x 14.5 inches.
This tankless water heater will ensure constant hot water flow at a preset temperature without any fluctuations thanks to its innovative technology.
Moreover, it heats water only when it is required, so it will save money and energy. Stiebel Eltron is a reputed name in the industry, and they make excellent products. The Tempra series tankless water heater is their totally redesigned product range for better performance and ease of use.
It is loaded with many advanced features, and it has advanced flow control and digital temperature control, which will provide constant hot water without any temperature fluctuations.
So, if you are on a hunt for the best tankless water heater, then no doubt this one must be on your list. It provides impressive performance and saves much energy. In this article, we will discuss the Stiebel Eltron Tempra 24 plus in detail.
Table of Contents
Overview
Design
The unit has a sleek steel casing which provides it with a modern look. Moreover, the tankless design makes it very compact. This means it can be installed in smaller spaces easily, and the ideal choice would be to install it near the water draw-off point. In this way, the wait for hot water will be reduced.
Other than that, this device requires no venting, which will make the installation simpler and the unit more efficient as very little heat will get wasted. It also has a digital display that will show the temperature of hot water.
Performance
Coming to the performance, this unit provides a solid performance thanks to the incorporation of advanced and innovative technology. It also makes it more efficient. The impressive thing is that it works on both cold as well as on preheated water.
You can set any temperature from the range of 86F to 140F. Based on the selection, the unit keeps the water temperature at that level, and thanks to its precise temperature control, there will be no fluctuation in water temperature.
Tempra 24 plus provides a solid performance while also being highly efficient. The heating elements don’t engage at the same instant, and they engage in stages that heat the water as it moves through the unit. The water will be at the desired temperature when it leaves the unit.
The maximum flow rate for hot water is 5.5 GPM, which is enough for small to medium houses. Also, note that the unit will only start heating the water if the incoming water flow is more than 0.77 GPM.
Features
Advanced Flow Control
This is one of a kind technology which you won’t see in any other brand of water heaters. Its function is to keep the water temperature constant even if the demand for hot water increases beyond its capacity.
In other water heaters, when the unit gets overloaded, the water temperature drops as the unit is not capable of heating the increased amount of water.
But, in this unit, to keep the temperature constant, the flow is adjusted. When the flow sensor detects that the water needed is more than its capacity, the unit will automatically reduce the flow to each outlet.
This means every outlet will have hot water at the same temperature but with a bit reduced flow rate. This means no matter the flow rate; the temperature will not change.
Digital Temperature Control
With Digital temperature control, you can choose the water temperature as you like, you simply have to turn the temperature knob to your desired temperature, and everything is done.
You should see your set temperature on the digital display on the front. You can choose between 86° F to 140°F.
Smart Microprocessor
The microprocessor is the brain of the unit, and it gets the inputs from the flow and temperature sensors which monitor the water flow and its temperature.
Once the temperature is set, the microprocessor makes sure that it stays that way; when the flow rate increases or decreases, the unit adjusts the heating units or the flow to keep the temperature constant.
Variable Voltage Option
Another great feature of this unit is its ability to run on two different voltage levels. Based on your hot water needs, you can select the voltage on which the heater will run. Working on less voltage levels will reduce the electricity bill a bit. These two voltage levels are 208 V and 240 V
Energy Saving
It is a known fact that tankless water heaters heat the water only when required, so there is no occurrence of standby losses. But, on top of that, the efficiency of Tempra 24 plus is increased even more thanks to its working mechanism.
It heats the water in stages. Heating elements get engaged in stages, which ensures efficient performance.
Safety
Tempra 24 plus has all the necessary safety features.
It has a high-temperature limit switch; if the temperature of the unit increases beyond the tolerable limit, then the unit will shut itself off. There is also a manual reset; if your unit has some minor inconvenience, then you can reset the unit, and hopefully, it will solve your problem.
Other than that, when there is no water flowing, the unit won’t start. The built-in protection will prevent it from starting to dry.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- This unit can be installed very conveniently. The compact size makes it possible to install it even in the smallest places and it is also easy to use. Another plus point is that it doesn’t have any venting needs. The venting is generally installed outside the house, but its lack in this unit makes the installation simple and less time-consuming.
- Tempra 24 plus is highly durable, and it will go on for years. Even if you find any problems, then it will be covered under the 7-year warranty on leakage and 3-year warranty on parts. Moreover, the steel casing protects the internals besides serving a sleek look.
- There are no ventilating needs which mean there won’t be any energy leaving the unit to get dissipated outside. Plus, the lack of standby losses will make the Tempra 24 plus 99% efficient. This means all the energy gets utilized to heat the water.
- On the front, the unit has a digital display and a temperature knob, making temperature control and monitoring very easy and simple. Besides, the unit will keep the temperature constant irrespective of a flow rate change.
Cons
- The major problem can be the power supply, especially in older homes. This unit consumes lots of power. If any house has a power supply of less than 60-Amp, then this unit won’t work. They will need to upgrade the electrical supply. This will result in increased costs. Considering the unit itself is more expensive than some others, the cost will increase even more with the upgrade.
- The flow rate decreases when more than a few hot water outlets are turned on.
What can you expect from this Heater?
In terms of flow rate and water temperature, this unit will work just fine in warm and cold weather. But, if the temperature drops too low, it means in the chilly areas, the unit won’t work as you would like it to work. It will provide only lukewarm water instead of hot water. You can expect it to provide hot water for an average home with two bathrooms.
Other than that, the installation procedure is fairly simple, and if you have done any plumbing work before, then it is a piece of cake. Also, once it is installed, it doesn’t have many maintenance needs. Occasional cleaning will be enough. But, if you have hard water, then it will need to be cleaned for build-ups more frequently.
Conclusion
Tempra 24 plus electric tankless heater is a simple and elegant electric water heater. It is a compact, durable, and highly efficient unit. If you are searching for the best electric tankless water heater, then this unit, packed with advanced features, is an excellent choice.
The ventilation-free design saves energy, contributing towards a better environment. It also saves you money. This unit will exceed your expectations in every aspect. But, to keep it as good as new, it must be maintained regularly and properly.
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