Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus
The Tempra 36 Plus is the top of Stiebel Eltron's whole-house electric line — a German-made 36 kW unit built for the hardest job in electric tankless: whole-home hot water in a genuinely cold climate. Its Advanced Flow Control automatically throttles flow a touch to hold your set temperature when demand outruns capacity, so you never get a cold surprise mid-shower, and it runs at 99% efficiency with zero standby loss, a digital display, and dial temperature control. It's backed by Stiebel's 7-year leakage / 3-year parts warranty.
The catch is electrical, and it's a big one: 36 kW draws about 150 amps across three 50-amp double-pole breakers, and Stiebel recommends a minimum 300-amp service. That rules out most existing homes without a service upgrade. In return you get real cold-climate capacity — roughly 7 GPM at a mild rise, and a still-usable ~3.5 GPM at a hard 70 °F winter rise, where lesser electric units collapse to a trickle. Owners and professional installers rate it highly (~4.4 stars) for rock-steady temperature and build quality. It's overkill for a warm climate or a modest panel — but for a large cold-climate home with the electrical service to feed it, it's the electric unit that actually keeps up.
Key Features
Best Use Cases
Our Verdict
The electric tankless for the hardest case: a large home in a cold climate with the electrical service to match. Advanced Flow Control and 36 kW deliver steady whole-home hot water where lesser units fail — but the ~150 A draw and 300 A recommended service put it out of reach for most existing panels. Right unit, demanding prerequisites.
What owners report
Themes summarized from verified-purchase reviews across major retailers (4.4★ average, 800 ratings). These are aggregated owner opinions — not our own bench testing.
Owners repeatedly praise Advanced Flow Control for holding a constant temperature even with multiple fixtures running.
Professional installers and repeat Stiebel owners rate the German build and reliability among the best in electric tankless.
The three 50-amp circuits and 300-amp service recommendation are the hardest part of the install to plan and pay for.
Unlike smaller electric units, owners in cold regions report it genuinely keeps up with whole-home demand.
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus FAQ
What electrical service does the Tempra 36 Plus need?+
About 150 amps across three 50-amp double-pole breakers, with a 300-amp service recommended. Most existing homes need a service upgrade — confirm with an electrician first.
How is it different from the Tempra 29 Plus?+
It's the higher-capacity model (36 kW vs 28.8 kW) for larger, colder-climate homes — but it demands markedly more electrical service. Many homes are better served by the 29 Plus.
Will it work in a cold climate?+
Yes — that's its purpose. It delivers roughly 3.5 GPM even at a hard 70 °F winter rise, where smaller electric units fall short.
What does Advanced Flow Control do?+
It automatically reduces flow slightly when demand exceeds capacity, so output temperature stays constant instead of turning cold.
Price range from leading retailers
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