Stiebel Eltron has a long track record. The company was founded in 1924 and the heat pump hot water unit has been in market since 2016. Once upon a time, it was considered one of the leading heat pumps on the market.
But the competition has improved dramatically and Stiebel Eltron appears to have stagnated. More affordable units have improved considerably and more expensive units prove to be more reliable.
I review Stiebel Eltron heat pumps below and run them through my framework for analysing heat pump hot water units (Cost, Reliability, Refrigerant, Maintenance). In my opinion, there are better, more affordable options.
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A quick note on Powrhouse to explain why we are well placed to review heat pump hot water units. We have mapped just about every unit on the market, comparing them across a variety of the factors like capacity, power, tank recovery, place of manufacture, reviews, refrigerant, warranty and cost. Please see our “Compare Heat Pump Hot Water Units” spreadsheet to see our research. We are independent and this review is our opinion informed by our research.
1. Cost
Stiebel Eltron units are priced in the mid-to-upper end of the heat pump hot water market. We don’t distribute or install Stiebels, but my research suggests they are around $2,500 to $3,000 installed (assuming the customer is eligible for the Solar Victoria hot water rebate). This is around $500 – $1,000 dearer than the more affordable units I like (Aquatech and Haier Monoblock), but significantly cheaper than Reclaims which will likely cost upwards of $5,000.
2. Reliability and Warranty
As a mid-to-premium heat pump hot water unit, we place greater expectations on Stiebels. Unfortunately, it appears the units fall short of these expectations. It’s one thing to take my word, or a plumber’s word on the best heat pump hot water unit, but I encourage people to look at reviews as a source of ‘wisdom of the crowds.’ The reviews for Stiebles are not good. They score 3.5 from 88 reviews on Product Review and it looks even worse if you sort by “Newest Reviews” – most of the new reviews are negative.
I also like to look at the warranty of heat pump hot water units, as a sign of the company’s conviction in their product. The warranty on Stiebels is underwhelming. A warranty of only two years on the compressor is concerning. Customers should expect more given the price you pay for these units.
3. Refrigerant
Stiebel Eltron units use R-454C as the refrigerant. Most heat pump hot water units use Propane, which is flammable. Stiebel markets R-454C as safer because it is not flammable. I don’t think this is a big deal as heat pump hot water units come pre-gassed, so the risk of an explosion is extremely low. R-454C also has a relatively high Global Warming Potential of 148, compared with Propane’s GWP of 3. In summary, both options are fine, and better than R-134a, which Stiebel Eltron used previously (GWP = 1,430).
4. Maintenance
The maintenance requirements for Stiebel Eltron units are standard.
Other Factors
Other factors when considering the Stiebel Eltron heat pumps:
- Noise – operates between 47dB, which is standard
- Place of Manufacture – the units are manufactured in Slovakia
Stiebel Eltron Heat Pump Review Summary
I can’t make a case for Stiebel Eltron units – I think there are more reliable options that are also cheaper. There are clear reliability concerns with Stiebels.
I think customers are better placed opting for more affordable options like Aquatech or Haier Monoblock. Both of these options are cheaper, appear to be more reliable and have a better warranty. The other alternative is paying for a top of line Reclaim knowing you’re getting the best unit on the market.
If you are interested in a quote for a heat pump hot water unit and/or you would like to discuss your options, we’d love to hear from you.
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