Stiebel Eltron Tempra 29 Plus Electric Tankless Water Heater

The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 29 Plus is a 28.8 kW whole-house electric tankless water heater, mid-size in Stiebel Eltron's premium German-engineered Tempra Plus line. The "29" reflects the kW rating; "Plus" identifies the higher-tier variant with the integrated temperature control and microprocessor modulation versus the base Tempra series.

Specs: 28.8 kW (120A continuous draw, three 50-amp double-pole breakers). Requires 200A service with substantial headroom. Capacity: 3.4 GPM at a 60°F rise (cold-climate winter) or 5.0 GPM at a 40°F rise (Sun Belt). Stainless steel heat exchanger with corrosion-resistant copper alloy components. 7-year warranty on the heat exchanger.

The Tempra Plus 29 sits between the Tempra 24 and Tempra 36 in capacity. Right answer for 2-bath warm-climate homes or 1.5-bath cold-climate homes where 24 kW would be undersized but 36 kW is overkill. Stiebel Eltron's premium engineering produces noticeably quieter operation than EcoSmart or Rheem RTEX competitors, with smoother temperature modulation under varying flow conditions.

The premium pricing reflects the engineering: about $1,200 unit, $2,300 installed. Service network in the US is thinner than the major brands — parts and service availability is concentrated in larger metros and may be limited in rural areas. Right buyer: households specifically wanting premium European engineering and willing to accept the smaller service footprint.