Tankless Water Heater Installation & Repair in Oakland County

If you’re tired of running out of hot water or paying sky-high energy bills to heat a tank that sits idle all day, it’s time to consider a tankless water heater. At Frost & Kretsch Plumbing, we specialize in tankless water heater installation and repair throughout Oakland County, helping homeowners and businesses in Birmingham, Troy, Royal Oak, and beyond make the switch to smarter, more efficient hot water technology. Our licensed and insured team brings years of hands-on experience to every installation and repair, ensuring you get reliable, continuous hot water exactly when you need it.

What Is a Tankless Water Heater and Why Should Oakland County Homeowners Consider One?

Unlike traditional storage tank water heaters that continuously heat and reheat a large reservoir of water, tankless water heaters — also known as on-demand or instantaneous water heaters — only heat water when you actually need it. Cold water travels through the unit, is heated instantly by powerful gas burners or electric heating elements, and flows directly to your faucet, shower, or appliance. The result is a virtually unlimited supply of hot water without the standby energy losses that come with keeping 40 to 80 gallons of water hot around the clock.

For homeowners across Oakland County, this technology makes a great deal of practical sense. Michigan winters are no joke — from the colder months in Clarkston and Milford to the freezing temperatures that settle over West Bloomfield and Commerce Township, your household demand for hot water spikes significantly throughout the year. A traditional tank water heater that struggles to keep up during high-demand mornings — when everyone in the house is showering, the dishwasher is running, and the laundry is going — simply can’t match what a properly sized tankless system can deliver.

Beyond convenience, the energy savings are a compelling reason to make the switch. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tankless water heaters can be 24–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank models for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily. Even in households with higher usage, tankless systems deliver meaningful savings over time. For Oakland County homeowners in areas like Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills, and Novi — where high-efficiency home upgrades are increasingly popular — a tankless water heater is a smart long-term investment that adds value to your property while reducing your monthly utility costs.

Tankless units also offer a significant space advantage. Traditional water heaters can take up a large portion of a utility closet, basement corner, or mechanical room. Tankless models mount directly to the wall and are roughly the size of a carry-on suitcase, freeing up valuable space in your home. They also have a longer lifespan than conventional tanks — typically 20 years or more with proper maintenance, compared to the 10–15-year average life expectancy of a traditional unit. When you factor in the longevity, the energy savings, and the endless supply of hot water, it’s easy to see why so many of our customers throughout Oakland County are making the upgrade. To learn more about our full range of water heater services, including both tank and tankless options, we’re always happy to walk you through what’s right for your home.

Signs You Need Tankless Water Heater Installation or Repair

Whether you’re considering upgrading to a tankless system for the first time or you already have one that isn’t performing the way it should, there are several clear indicators that it’s time to call Frost & Kretsch Plumbing. Our team serves homeowners and businesses across Oakland County, and we’ve seen just about every water heater issue imaginable. Here are the most common signs that you need professional tankless water heater installation or repair:

• You’re constantly running out of hot water — If your family regularly runs out of hot water during morning routines or back-to-back showers, your current system simply isn’t keeping up with your household’s demand.
• Your energy bills are climbing — A significant and unexplained increase in your monthly gas or electric bill can signal that your water heater is working harder than it should, a common problem with aging or inefficient tank-style units.
• Your tankless unit is displaying error codes — Modern tankless water heaters use diagnostic error codes to communicate when something is wrong. If your unit’s display is showing an unfamiliar code, don’t ignore it — call a professional right away.
• Inconsistent water temperatures — If your hot water fluctuates between scalding and lukewarm without warning, this is often a sign of a flow sensor issue, a failing heating element, or a problem with the unit’s internal controls.
• Your water heater is 10–15+ years old — If your tank-style water heater is approaching the end of its functional life, now is the ideal time to consider upgrading to a tankless system rather than simply replacing it with another tank.
• Low hot water pressure — Reduced pressure specifically when using hot water can indicate a buildup of mineral scale inside the unit’s heat exchanger, a problem that’s especially common in areas with hard water.
• Strange noises from your water heater — Popping, rumbling, or banging sounds coming from your unit are often signs of sediment buildup, a worn heating element, or other internal issues that require professional attention.
• Visible corrosion or leaks — Any signs of rust, corrosion, or water pooling around your water heater should be addressed immediately to prevent water damage and ensure the system is operating safely.
• You’re planning a home renovation or addition — Adding a new bathroom, a master suite, or an in-law suite to your home is a perfect opportunity to evaluate whether a tankless system — or an additional tankless unit — would better serve your updated hot water needs.

Our Approach to Tankless Water Heater Installation and Repair in Oakland County

At Frost & Kretsch Plumbing, we believe that every successful tankless water heater installation starts with a thorough assessment of your home’s specific needs. When you call us, we don’t show up with a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, our experienced technicians take the time to evaluate your household’s peak hot water demand, your existing gas line capacity or electrical service, and the layout of your plumbing system. This upfront evaluation ensures that we recommend and install the right unit — properly sized for your home — so you get the full benefit of the technology from day one.

We work with leading tankless water heater brands trusted by plumbing professionals across the industry, and we’re experienced with both gas-fired and electric tankless systems. Whether you’re in a newer construction home in Auburn Hills or an older colonial in Berkley with unique installation challenges, our team has the expertise to handle the job correctly. We manage every aspect of the installation, including all necessary gas line modifications, venting requirements, and water line connections, and we obtain any required permits so your installation is fully code-compliant from start to finish. Our goal is always a clean, professional installation that will serve you reliably for decades.

For existing tankless water heater owners throughout Oakland County who need repair services, our diagnostic process is equally thorough. We understand that a malfunctioning water heater can disrupt your entire household, which is why we prioritize prompt response times and carry a wide inventory of parts for the most common tankless brands and models. From flushing and descaling mineral-clogged heat exchangers to replacing failed ignitors, flow sensors, or circuit boards, our technicians are trained to quickly identify the root cause of the problem and restore your unit to full working order. We always explain what we find and walk you through our recommended repair options before any work begins — no surprises on your invoice. You can also explore our pipe repair and repiping services if aging plumbing is affecting your water heater’s performance.

Routine maintenance is also a critical part of keeping a tankless water heater running at peak efficiency, and it’s a service many Oakland County homeowners overlook until a problem develops. We recommend annual flushing of the heat exchanger to remove mineral scale buildup — a particular concern given the hard water conditions common in parts of Oakland County, including Lake Orion, Oxford, and White Lake. Regular maintenance not only extends the life of your unit but also preserves your manufacturer’s warranty. Ask our team about setting up a maintenance schedule that fits your needs and your budget.

Why Oakland County Homeowners Choose Frost & Kretsch Plumbing for Tankless Water Heater Services

When it comes to something as essential as your home’s hot water supply, you want a plumbing company you can truly count on — one that shows up on time, does the job right the first time, and stands behind their work. Frost & Kretsch Plumbing is a locally owned and operated business, and that means we’re not a faceless national chain or a high-volume company where you’re just another ticket number. Owner Dave Kretsch and our entire team take genuine pride in serving our neighbors across Oakland County, and our reputation is built one satisfied customer at a time.

We’re fully licensed and insured, and we bring that professional standard to every job — whether it’s a straightforward tankless water heater installation in Troy or Rochester Hills, a complex system repair in Pontiac or Southfield, or a first-time upgrade for a homeowner in Waterford who’s ready to ditch their aging tank unit. We also offer emergency plumbing services for water heater failures that can’t wait, because we know that a cold shower in a Michigan winter isn’t just inconvenient — it’s a genuine hardship. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee means we don’t consider a job complete until you’re fully confident in the work we’ve done and the results you’re experiencing.

Areas We Serve in Oakland County

Frost & Kretsch Plumbing is proud to be Oakland County’s trusted source for tankless water heater installation and repair. Whether you’re in Birmingham, Troy, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, or Bloomfield Hills, our team is ready to deliver expert service right to your door. We also serve homeowners and businesses throughout Clarkston, Lake Orion, Waterford, West Bloomfield, and Novi — bringing the same level of professionalism and craftsmanship to every job we take on.

Our service area extends across the full breadth of Oakland County, including Southfield, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, Commerce Township, Milford, South Lyon, White Lake, Oxford, Auburn Hills, and Berkley. No matter where you’re located in the county, you can count on us to arrive on time, diagnose your system accurately, and complete the work with minimal disruption to your daily routine. We understand that every community has its own mix of older homes and newer builds, and we tailor our tankless water heater recommendations accordingly.

As a locally owned and operated business based right here in Birmingham, MI, we’re not just a plumbing company — we’re your neighbors. Owner Dave Kretsch and our entire team take pride in building lasting relationships with homeowners and businesses throughout Oakland County. When you call Frost & Kretsch Plumbing, you’re getting a team that genuinely cares about the outcome and stands behind every installation and repair we perform.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tankless Water Heater Installation & Repair

Looking for more information about our broader plumbing services? Explore our Water Heater Services page for traditional tank water heater options, or learn about our comprehensive Residential Plumbing solutions for homeowners throughout Oakland County. If you’re dealing with an urgent issue, our Emergency Plumbing team is available when you need us most. We’re also happy to assist with related needs like Pipe Repair and Repiping and Sump Pump Services to keep your entire plumbing system in top condition.