Stiebel Eltron DCE-X 6/8 Premium Compact Instant Water Heater, Suitable for Showers, Maximum Energy Efficiency, Accurate Temperature delivery, 238158, 220240 V, White

Throughout the years, I have experimented with various models of hot water heaters, particularly for situations where only a modest amount of hot water is needed, such as in a kitchenette or cloakroom. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Recently, I made the switch to the Stiebel Eltron DCE-S 6/8 Plus Compact Instant Water Heater, a premium product from a well-respected German brand renowned for its commitment to quality. While the price tag is on the higher side, the reliability it offers provides invaluable peace of mind. One of the standout features of this unit is its compact size, which allows it to fit seamlessly into tight spaces without compromising performance. Installation was relatively straightforward, though I encountered various comments online concerning the connections for hot and cold water flows. To mitigate any potential issues, I proactively reached out to the Stiebel technical helpline based in the UK. I was pleasantly surprised by their prompt and courteous response; they provided clarity on whether they approved the use of flexipipe fittings and confirmed there were UK, German fittings size differences to consider during installation. This model includes adjustable jumper settings within the unit, enabling me to control the maximum output temperature. This feature is particularly beneficial, as it negates the need for an additional thermostat mixing valve, simplifying the installation process further. As for durability and longevity, only time will reveal the true capabilities of this heater. For the moment, I wholeheartedly recommend it based on my initial experiences. I plan to check back later to provide an update on its long-term performance.

I have a small 3 bed bungalow, I have a hot tap for the bathroom basin and for the kitchen sink. The house had a huge 120L hot water cylinder that served these two tap outlets which was massive overkill as the heating system (oil) isn't used enough to keep the water in the tank warm (so the immersion heater had to be used which is highly inefficient for just serving taps for 2x sinks). I decided I wanted an electric instant water heater as gas is not available at my address and oil combi boilers are horrendously expensive and (from reading reviews) seem a lot less reliable than their heat only counterparts. So, I settled on this heater after being recommended it and I'm glad I did because it's compact and does the job well enough for serving 2x hot taps for basins. The pipe run from the heater to the bathroom tap is about 6m, and to the kitchen sink about 5m (the taps T off a common 3m run. I wanted to place the heater in the "plumbing cupboard" which is where the previous hot water cylinder used to live which is why the pipe runs are a little longer.... The bathroom hot tap takes about 10 seconds of being on before hot water arrives at the tap, and the flow is more than acceptable for an instant hot water heater. I wouldn't recommend this if you intend to use it to serve a bath or possibly even a shower (I'd recommend a standalone shower unit for that). But for occasional use for basins, this is a perfect solution.

It runs very expensive compared to the standard electric shower. Even if I use the ECO mode, the electric shower still runs cheaper. Great solution though for sinks, basins in areas out of the gas grid.

I am beyond impressed with this electric water heater! It heats up water quickly and efficiently, and the temperature remains consistent throughout. Installation was a breeze, and the design is sleek and modern. It's incredibly energy-efficient, Whether it's for a quick shower, feeds to the kitchen or hand basins it’s always reliable. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a hassle-free, high-performance water heater!

This was installed as part of a mains conversion, to remove a cold water storage and hot water cylinder from a 1 bedroom flat. The DCE-X 10/12 has proven to be an amazing bit of kit, when set to 12kW it supplies constant 55C water upwards of 4.5L/min (to a thermostatic mixer) which is more than adequate for a decent shower. For all the reviews stating this unit is inadequate for showers - I'm wondering if this is due to the unit being run at the lower (10kW) setting? To utilise the 12kW setting, I had to add a 63A breaker and 16mm cabling however it's been more than worth it in my opinion.

Excellent product. Bought it specifically to cater to two outlets, hand basin and shower in the garden outbuilding bathroom. It does the job as expected. Quick supply of hot water in either. It works with the thermostatic shower and mixer tap in basin. Shower is around 2m away from unit and basin 0.5 min. Get hot water in few seconds. Had installed a 10mm2 electric cable to supply power and a 40amp switch. Am using the unit in lower 10.1KW mode that you can set via a jumper. Only minor issue is with the lower waterpressure in shower. Since this is occasionally used, I don't mind. My builder has not used any pressure valve to increase pressure, just did a straight connection. A specialist plumber might be able to sort this out. Overall expensive compared to some other options but great functionally as a long term solution.

One thing that the listing doesn't say is that a 6/8 KW appliance is not something that you plug into your ordinary socket. It is like any shower unit and requires a 6 to 10mm2 wire -depending on the distance-direct to the consumer unit/fuse board, so unless you are an electrician, you need one to do the wiring. For some peculiar reason, they have drilled in 2 of the four fixing screws, and similarly, you need to cut out the inlet for two water pipe inlets. It's a poor, lazy design, and even using Dremel, I find it rather difficult to cut through without breaking it, never mind the debris you are going to introduce to the unit! You can set the max temperature and the power using two internal jumper switches. For the temperature considering that you can adjust it using the knob on the facia and also set it as two defaults, using the jumper switch seems to be a bit of a faff. Although I initially set the jumper switch to recommended 43 degrees, I found that to be too low, taking longer time for water reaching the taps. I suggest 48 degrees is more reasonable for usual hand washing. Finally, if your hot water pipes are within reach consider putting pipe insulation on them, it would waste less energy water warming up the pipes every time you turn the tap on.

When our multipoint Zip water heater in our shepherd’s hut (bought just over two-and-a-half years ago) started switching itself off every time we ran one of the two hot water taps, we weren’t exactly thrilled to be told it would need completely replacing. We were also somewhat underwhelmed when we heard the price for that replacement was now £460 — an increase of around £70 in such a short time. In our search for an alternative, we came across this Stiebel Eltron model, which seemed to offer a similar spec to the Zip at almost £100 less, and decided to give it a try. No regrets so far... It was relatively easy to install despite the cold inlet and hot outlet being on different sides from the Zip model it replaced, and it works well — very, very quickly delivering 40º at excellent pressure to our shower room basin and kitchen sink a couple of metres away. Of course, since it’s only been in place for a bout a month, it’s not had a chance to break down yet but we’re somewhat reassured by its 2-year warranty.