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Head-to-head · Best Tankless Water Heaters

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus vs Takagi T-H3-DV-N

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about All-electric homes in moderate climates that need whole-house hot water without gas or venting. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Tankless Water Heaters
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus
3 sources2 derived$712.73as of Aug 1

The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus is the clear frontrunner for whole-home electric tankless heating, good for up to 7.5 GPM from its 36 kW heating element. This Old House rated the Stiebel Eltron electric line 4.4/5, and Bob Vila named it best electric, both praising the silent operation and the Advanced Flow Control that dynamically reduces flow rather than letting cold-water sandwiching happen when demand exceeds capacity. It needs serious electrical service and performs best in moderate climates. For an all-electric home, it is the top whole-house pick.

Strengths
  • — Best whole-home electric option, up to 7.5 GPM at 36 kW
  • — Advanced Flow Control throttles flow to prevent cold-water sandwiching
  • — Silent operation with no combustion, venting, or CO risk
Watch-outs
  • — Needs substantial electrical service — often a panel upgrade
  • — Flow rate drops in cold climates with high temperature rise
  • — No federal gas tax credit (electric)
$712.73 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Takagi T-H3-DV-N
Ranked #3 in Best Tankless Water Heaters
Takagi T-H3-DV-N
2 sourcesall derived$1,500as of Jun 7

The Takagi T-H3-DV-N is Bob Vila's best condensing gas pick: a 10 GPM, 199,000 BTU unit built around a commercial-grade copper-alloy heat exchanger that suits heavier residential use like recirculation or space heating. It's Ultra-Low NOx compliant, which matters in strict-emission states, and Bob Vila praised that it 'provides plenty of heating power for most households.' Its 0.93 UEF trails the Rinnai RU199iN slightly and it lacks the Rinnai's smart-app polish. As a rugged, high-capacity condensing gas heater, it's an excellent whole-home choice.

Strengths
  • — Condensing gas design delivering up to 10 GPM
  • — 199,000 BTU handles most whole-home demand
  • — Commercial-grade copper-alloy heat exchanger for heavy use
Watch-outs
  • — Slightly lower UEF (0.93) than the Rinnai RU199iN
  • — Requires gas service and condensing venting
  • — Professional installation needed
$1,500 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus

The Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus is the best whole-home electric unit, with a 7.5 GPM flow rate that beats the EcoSmart ECO 27 and Rheem RTEX-13 but trails the gas Rinnai RU199iN and Takagi T-H3-DV-N. Its Advanced Flow Control is a feature neither the EcoSmart nor the Rheem offers, trading a brief flow reduction for consistently hot water.

Takagi T-H3-DV-N

The Takagi T-H3-DV-N is the second gas unit here, matching much of the Rinnai RU199iN's 199,000 BTU output at a slightly lower 10 GPM and 0.93 UEF. Like the Rinnai it far outflows the electric Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus, EcoSmart ECO 27, and Rheem RTEX-13, but it offers fewer smart features than the Wi-Fi-equipped Rinnai.

Specs side-by-side

SpecStiebel Eltron Tempra 36 PlusTakagi T-H3-DV-N
FuelElectricNatural gas
Flow RateUp to 7.5 GPMUp to 10 GPM
Power36 kW199,000 BTU/H
TypeTankless ElectricCondensing, Ultra-Low NOx
BTU—15,000 - 199,000
Efficiency—0.93
Installation—Indoor, direct vent
Dimensions—17.75"W x 22.5"H
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