When cold weather arrives across the Lake Martin region, a reliable furnace keeps your home warm. Spencer Heating and Air has spent 55+ years helping homeowners throughout Alexander City, Kellyton, and neighboring communities install high-efficiency furnaces that deliver dependable heat. Our certified technicians help you choose the right American Standard system for your home’s size, then manage every step — sizing, ductwork, controls, and final startup.
The first step is a consultation with one of our heating specialists. Fill out our quick contact form or call 256-373-3165 to schedule a time that works for you. Your consultation is free, with no obligation. During this visit, we’ll assess your home, discuss American Standard options that fit your budget and lifestyle, and provide a transparent estimate with clear pricing — no surprises, no pressure.
256-373-3165Five reasons families across Alexander City, Kellyton, and the Lake Martin region have made Spencer their first call for heating system installation. Click any card to read the detail.
Since 1967, we’ve installed hundreds of furnaces across the Lake Martin area.
Our longevity in the community speaks to our commitment to doing the job right. We understand the heating needs of older homes, newly built properties, and everything in between. Families who worked with us decades ago still call us first when they need service or upgrades. Our experience means we’ve seen every ductwork layout, every installation challenge, and every climate pattern that Alabama throws at us. That accumulated knowledge translates to faster, smarter installations that work beautifully from day one.
We’re an authorized American Standard Customer Care Dealer with factory training and warranty support.
Every furnace we install is backed by a manufacturer who stands behind quality. You’re not just buying a unit; you’re partnering with a brand trusted across Alabama. Our team knows American Standard equipment inside and out, from basic models to premium high-efficiency systems. We’ve trained extensively on their product lines, warranty requirements, and performance specifications. This certification also gives you access to extended warranty options and priority support that non-authorized installers can’t offer.
We calculate the exact BTU output your home needs — no oversized systems that waste energy.
Too many installers fit oversized furnaces hoping to “heat the whole house.” That wastes energy and money. Our technicians measure your home’s square footage, inspect insulation, check for air leaks, and calculate the exact BTU output your space needs. The right-sized furnace runs longer, cycles less, and delivers even warmth without short-cycling waste. We’ll also evaluate your ductwork to ensure it’s sized properly to match the new furnace. A perfectly matched system is the difference between a furnace that barely heats your home and one that keeps every room comfortable efficiently.
We hold Alabama License #13038 and stay current on all building codes and safety standards.
Every job meets or exceeds state requirements, and we pull permits so you have documented compliance on record. Your peace of mind is backed by credentials, not guesses. Proper licensing also ensures we carry the appropriate insurance, so you’re protected if anything goes wrong. Building permits matter for resale value too — future buyers see that your heating system was installed to code by licensed professionals.
An unexpected furnace failure in winter is a crisis for your family.
Spencer Heating and Air offers fast replacement support, so you’re never stuck in the cold. If your old furnace gives up mid-season, we can often get you into a new system quickly, sometimes within a day. Call us during business hours — we’re here when you need us. Our team knows the regional supply chain well enough to source equipment fast, and we keep our schedule flexible for urgent replacements so your family doesn’t spend long without heat.
Tap a symptom to see why replacement makes more sense than continued repairs.
Older furnaces lose efficiency over time as heat exchangers develop micro-cracks, blower motors wear down, and control systems become less precise. A 15-year-old furnace that was 80% efficient when new might now operate at 65-70% efficiency, wasting 15-20% of your heating fuel.
What to do: calculate your annual heating costs and compare them to a new high-efficiency system. The energy savings often pay for the new furnace within 5-7 years.
Best Time to Replace
Before It Fails
Planned replacement costs less than a rushed installation and gives you time to choose the right system.
If your heating bills have increased 20-30% over the past few years without changes in usage patterns or fuel costs, your furnace is losing efficiency. Worn components, dirty heat exchangers, and aging blower motors all contribute to higher operating costs.
What to do: compare your current bills to a new 95% AFUE high-efficiency furnace. The monthly savings often cover the payment on a new system.
Potential Savings
15-30% Annually
High-efficiency furnaces can reduce heating costs significantly compared to older systems.
If you’re calling for furnace repairs twice or more per heating season, the system is telling you it’s wearing out. Heat exchanger cracks, blower motor failures, control board issues, and gas valve problems compound as systems age.
What to do: add up your repair costs over the past 2-3 years. If they exceed 50% of a new furnace’s cost, replacement makes financial sense.
Financial Rule
50% Repair Cost
When repairs cost half of replacement, it’s time to invest in a new system.
If some rooms stay cold while others overheat, your furnace may be oversized, undersized, or losing capacity. Ductwork issues can contribute, but often the furnace itself can no longer move air effectively through the entire system.
What to do: a properly sized new furnace with variable-speed blower technology can solve uneven heating while reducing energy costs.
Solution
Variable Speed
Modern blowers adjust speed automatically to deliver consistent comfort throughout your home.
Unusual sounds indicate worn bearings, loose components, or heat exchanger problems. While some noises can be repaired, persistent or worsening sounds often signal that multiple components are failing simultaneously.
What to do: have the system diagnosed. If multiple repairs are needed, replacement eliminates the noise and prevents future breakdowns.
New System Benefit
Quiet Operation
Modern furnaces operate much more quietly than older systems, improving home comfort.
Any gas smell around your furnace or carbon monoxide detector alarms indicate serious safety issues. Cracked heat exchangers, loose gas connections, or improper venting can create dangerous conditions for your family.
What to do: turn off the system immediately and call us right away. Safety issues often require complete replacement rather than repair.
Priority Level
Urgent
Safety issues require immediate attention — never ignore gas odors or CO alarms.
From initial consultation through final testing, every Spencer furnace installation follows the same methodical six-step process. We handle permits, protect your home, and ensure your new system operates perfectly before we leave.
We start by understanding your home and heating goals. Our technician will walk through your property, measure room sizes, check your ductwork, and identify any air leaks or insulation gaps. We’ll look at which rooms stay cold during winter, check window quality, and evaluate your home’s overall thermal performance. This assessment takes 30–45 minutes and is the foundation for recommending the right American Standard unit.
Once we understand your needs, we’ll present several American Standard furnace options at different efficiency levels. We’ll explain the difference between 80% AFUE basic models and 95%+ AFUE high-efficiency condensing models. We’ll discuss flexible financing options so the investment fits your budget, walk through what your warranty covers, and outline any rebates or tax credits that might apply.
If your installation requires a permit (as most do in Alabama), we’ll handle the paperwork and coordinate with your local building department. We’ll also prepare your home: protecting flooring around the furnace location, laying drop cloths to keep dust and debris contained, and clearing access to your ductwork. This step happens 3–7 days before installation, so your home is ready when our crew arrives.
On installation day, our crew arrives with all necessary tools, protective equipment, and the new American Standard furnace. We carefully disconnect your old system, shut off the gas supply at the valve, and disconnect all electrical connections according to code. We’ll remove the unit from its location without damaging surrounding walls, flooring, or adjacent equipment. We’ll haul away the old furnace responsibly and recycle what we can.
Our technicians mount the new American Standard furnace in place on a solid, level pad. We connect all ductwork using sealed joints and mastic sealant to prevent air leaks that waste energy. We integrate the furnace with your existing blower and ductwork system, making sure all connections are secure and properly sealed. All gas connections are run using black iron pipe or approved flexible connectors, pressure-tested for safety. This step typically takes 4–8 hours depending on your system’s complexity.
Before we consider the job complete, we run a full test cycle to confirm the furnace ignites reliably, heats evenly across all rooms, and shuts down safely. We’ll check that your thermostat is reading temperature accurately and calibrate it if needed. Most importantly, we’ll walk you through the basic controls, explain your new warranty and how to register it, and show you where the reset button, gas valve, and circuit breaker are located.
Our maintenance members enjoy priority scheduling, consistent system performance, and the confidence that comes from knowing a trained professional is keeping an eye on their equipment throughout the year.
What’s Included In Our Maintenance Plan?
We know that a new HVAC system or a major repair can be a significant investment. That is why Spencer Heating and Air works with trusted lending partners to make quality comfort accessible to every homeowner. We want you to make the best decision for your home — not the cheapest one because of budget pressure.
Why Consider Financing?
Hover over the section to see the full list. Every installation is different based on your home’s layout, existing ductwork, and heating needs.
From straightforward replacements to complete system upgrades, our technicians handle every type of furnace installation. We’ll assess your specific situation, explain what’s involved, and provide a clear timeline and cost estimate before we start.
Scenario: replacing an existing furnace with a similar-sized unit in the same location. Existing ductwork, gas line, and electrical connections are reused. Typically completed in one day with minimal disruption to your home.
Scenario: upgrading from a standard-efficiency to high-efficiency condensing furnace. May require new venting, condensate drain, and electrical upgrades. Higher upfront cost but significant long-term energy savings.
Scenario: installing a complete heating system in a newly built home. Includes furnace, ductwork design and installation, thermostat, and all connections. Coordinated with other trades during construction.
Scenario: converting from electric heat, oil, or propane to natural gas. Requires new gas line installation, ductwork modifications, and electrical changes. Often includes utility coordination and permits.
Scenario: moving the furnace to a different location in your home for better access, efficiency, or space utilization. Requires new ductwork runs, gas line extension, and electrical work. More complex but often worth the investment.
Scenario: your furnace failed unexpectedly during cold weather. We prioritize urgent installations to restore heat quickly, often within a day. Limited equipment selection but gets your family warm fast.
If your furnace is over 15 years old, repairs are becoming less reliable and efficiency is dropping. If a repair costs 50% or more of a replacement system’s price, replacement usually makes financial sense. Our technicians can inspect your system and give you an honest assessment. If repair is the right call, we’ll do it; if a new furnace is smarter, we’ll explain why.
Size is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). A furnace that’s too large wastes fuel and short-cycles; one that’s too small won’t heat your home on the coldest days. We calculate the right size based on your home’s square footage, insulation, window count, and local climate. For Lake Martin-area homes, most range from 60,000 to 100,000 BTU systems.
American Standard is mid-to-premium priced. You’re paying for reliability, a strong warranty, and manufacturer support. Over 15–20 years of operation, that value compounds. We also carry options at different price points, so you can choose the comfort level that matches your budget.
In most cases, your existing ductwork can be reused if it’s in good condition. We’ll inspect it for leaks and blockages. If the ducts are heavily damaged or undersized for the new furnace, we might recommend replacement or sealing. Often a thorough duct cleaning and seal repair is all that’s needed to optimize airflow.
A straightforward installation in an accessible location takes one day (4–8 hours). If we encounter ductwork issues, old gas lines that need replacement, or electrical upgrades, it might extend to a second day. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during the consultation so you can plan accordingly.
We partner with Wells Fargo to offer flexible financing plans. You can spread the cost over 12, 24, 36 months or longer, often with promotional rates for qualified buyers. Learn more about furnace financing to explore what works for your situation.
Yes. American Standard furnaces come with a manufacturer warranty (typically 5 years on parts, 10 years on the heat exchanger on premium models). We also guarantee our installation workmanship. Read your paperwork carefully to understand what’s covered — we’re happy to explain any questions.
Late summer and early fall (August through September) are ideal. Scheduling early means we can fit you in before the heating season rush. If your current furnace fails mid-winter, we offer fast replacement, but you’ll have more flexibility if you plan ahead.
If your old furnace is 15+ years old and has low efficiency ratings, a modern American Standard system can reduce heating costs by 15–30%. High-efficiency furnaces (95% AFUE or higher) use less fuel to produce the same heat. We’ll estimate your potential savings based on your home and local energy rates.
Furnace installation is an investment, not a quick fix. If the estimate feels high, ask our team to break down the costs: equipment, labor, permits, ductwork adjustments, and disposal. We can also discuss whether a mid-range efficiency model makes sense before jumping to a premium option. We’re here to help you make a confident decision, not pressure you.
Yes. We install furnaces in tight spaces regularly — basements, attics, crawlspaces, garages, and utility closets. The installation takes a bit longer because we work carefully to avoid damage and install all safety components correctly. We’ll verify there’s adequate clearance for service access, proper venting, and air intake before we start. If space is too tight or venting isn’t possible, we’ll tell you upfront rather than forcing a problematic installation.
Smart thermostats integrate perfectly with new furnaces. We can install a programmable or Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat that lets you control your heating remotely, set schedules, and monitor energy use. Many customers appreciate the convenience and cost savings. We’ll discuss options during your consultation and can add installation to your furnace job — it’s often discounted when bundled.
We handle the installation of your furnace and all connections up to the gas meter. For new accounts or meter upgrades, the gas company (Weiss Gas or your local utility) handles those connections. We’ll coordinate with them so everything is timed properly. You’ll typically get a final inspection and approval from the utility before your furnace is turned on for the first time. This is a standard process and doesn’t delay your installation significantly.
Spencer Heating and Air operates from two convenient locations to serve communities across East Alabama. Whether you live in the heart of Auburn or along the shores of Lake Martin, our team is never far away.
Our Auburn flagship has served Lee County since 1967, with the deepest tooling and parts inventory in the region. When you need our broadest expertise — the Auburn team is a short drive away.
Call Auburn Location 334-887-9020Auburn customers and Lake Martin neighbors get the same Spencer commitment to honest work, accurate diagnosis, and repairs that last.
Book Service at Auburn Location
For over 55 years, Spencer Heating and Air has set the standard for honest, expert HVAC service in the Lake Martin area and Auburn. Our customers keep coming back because they know they can count on us — for fair pricing, skilled workmanship, and the kind of genuine care that only comes from a family-owned business with deep roots in the community.
Whether you need a brand-new American Standard system, a quick repair, or a comprehensive maintenance plan, we are here and ready to help. Do not settle for anything less than the best — your home and your family deserve it.
A new furnace means warmer winters, lower energy bills, and peace of mind knowing your heating system is reliable. Spencer Heating and Air is ready to guide you through the entire process — from selecting the right American Standard equipment to managing installation and educating you on your new system. With over 55 years in the heating business, we know the Lake Martin area and the systems that work best in our climate.
