Your heat pump is more than the outdoor unit — it’s a complete year-round comfort system: the outdoor condenser, the indoor air handler and coil, refrigerant lines, the reversing valve, ductwork, electrical, and the controls that switch it between heating and cooling. Our maintenance plans service the entire system, not just the unit, so a small issue in one component never drags down the rest. Spencer Heating and Air has maintained thousands of heat pump systems across Alexander City and the Lake Martin area since 1967 — two tune-ups a year optimize refrigerant charge and airflow, catch small problems early, and extend your system’s lifespan by years.
We recommend twice-yearly maintenance: a cooling-system tune-up before peak demand and a heating-system tune-up before you rely on heat. Our technicians serve Alexander City, Kellyton, Equality, Eclectic, and surrounding Lake Martin communities with comprehensive system optimization and honest reporting.
256-373-3165Six reasons Lake Martin homeowners trust Spencer with their whole heat pump system. One system handles both heating and cooling, with components most units don’t have — so keeping it reliable means maintaining the whole thing, not just the outdoor unit. Click any card to read the detail.
Our two annual visits catch small problems before they become costly breakdowns.
We measure refrigerant pressure, test electrical connections, inspect the compressor and reversing valve, and verify airflow through your ducts. We catch a slow refrigerant leak early — before peak heating demand taxes a starving system. Unplanned repairs cost 3–5 times more than planned ones.
Precision tune-ups restore peak performance and reduce energy costs.
Heat pumps lose efficiency as refrigerant charge drifts, coils accumulate debris, and thermostat calibration shifts. Our technicians measure superheat and subcooling to ensure exact refrigerant charge and clean coils to restore airflow. A properly tuned heat pump uses 10–20% less energy than a neglected one.
Year-round care extends heat pump life to 15–20+ years.
A heat pump that runs at peak efficiency, with balanced refrigerant and clean coils, experiences less compressor stress and lasts 15–20+ years. One that runs with low charge, frozen coils, or clogged filters might fail by year 10. The difference is maintenance.
Lake Martin climate expertise for both heating and cooling seasons.
Your heat pump switches between heating mode in the cooler months and cooling mode in the warmer months. Each season presents unique demands. Our technicians understand how Lake Martin’s climate stresses heat pumps and adjust your system for Alabama-specific performance.
Plan members get priority appointments and repair discounts.
Maintenance plan members skip waiting lists — you get next-available appointments in peak seasons. You also receive discounts on any repairs that arise between your scheduled visits. Those discounts often pay for the plan membership in a single repair call.
Year-round comfort depends on the outdoor condenser, the indoor air handler and coil, refrigerant lines, the reversing valve, ductwork, and controls all working together.
A tune-up that only checks the outdoor unit misses where heating and cooling problems actually start — a sticking reversing valve, a weak defrost cycle, low refrigerant, or leaky ducts. We inspect and service the entire heat pump system as one connected whole, so a small issue in any single component never drags down comfort in either season.
Tap a problem to see how regular maintenance prevents it.
Heat pumps lose refrigerant slowly over time through microscopic leaks at fittings, coil joints, and service ports. Low refrigerant reduces heating and cooling capacity, forces the compressor to work harder, and eventually causes compressor failure.
How maintenance prevents it: we measure refrigerant charge precisely during each visit and detect slow leaks before they become major problems. Early leak repair costs hundreds — compressor replacement costs thousands.
Prevention Value
High
Refrigerant testing catches 70% of future compressor failures before they happen.
Capacitors store energy to start the compressor and fan motors. They degrade over time and eventually fail, leaving your heat pump system unable to start. Loose electrical connections cause voltage drops that damage motors.
How maintenance prevents it: we test capacitor charge and electrical connections during every visit. A small capacitor replacement during maintenance prevents a major compressor replacement later.
Prevention Value
Very High
Electrical testing prevents 80% of no-start failures during peak seasons.
Dirty coils, low refrigerant, or restricted airflow cause ice to form on your outdoor unit during heating mode. Ice blocks airflow and forces the system to work harder, reducing efficiency and potentially damaging the compressor.
How maintenance prevents it: we clean coils, verify refrigerant charge, and test airflow before heating season begins. Clean systems rarely freeze.
Prevention Value
High
Coil cleaning and charge verification prevent 90% of freeze-up issues.
Clogged filters, blocked vents, or leaking ductwork reduce airflow through your heat pump system. Poor airflow makes the system work harder, reduces comfort, and can cause the compressor to overheat.
How maintenance prevents it: we replace filters, measure static pressure across your ducts, and identify airflow restrictions. We recommend duct sealing when needed to restore proper airflow.
Prevention Value
Medium
Airflow testing identifies duct problems before they stress the compressor.
The compressor is the heart of your heat pump system. Low refrigerant, electrical problems, dirty coils, or poor airflow all stress the compressor and shorten its life. Compressor replacement often costs more than the system is worth.
How maintenance prevents it: by addressing all the factors that stress compressors — proper charge, clean coils, good airflow, stable electrical supply — maintenance extends compressor life dramatically.
Prevention Value
Critical
Comprehensive maintenance extends compressor life by 5-10 years.
Heat pumps lose efficiency gradually as components drift out of specification. You might not notice the decline month-to-month, but over 2–3 years, energy bills can increase 20–30% as the system works harder to maintain comfort.
How maintenance prevents it: we restore your system to manufacturer specifications during each visit. Customers often see immediate energy savings after a comprehensive tune-up.
Prevention Value
High
Annual tune-ups typically save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs.
A proper heat pump system tune-up takes 1–2 hours and covers every critical component. Our two annual visits follow the same detailed protocol, adapted slightly for heating versus cooling prep.
We start outside, inspecting the condenser coil for dust, leaves, grass clippings, or corrosion buildup. We carefully clean the coil fins using low-pressure water spray, check the outdoor fan motor for unusual noise or vibration, verify electrical connections, and ensure the pad is level.
We connect precision gauges to measure pressure in both high-side and low-side circuits. We verify temperature differential across coils and calculate superheat and subcooling — advanced metrics that tell us whether your refrigerant charge is exact or drifting.
We test all electrical connections for voltage, amperage, and continuity. We inspect the contactor, capacitor, compressor run winding, and thermostat control circuit. We use a multimeter to verify startup current is within manufacturer specs.
We measure static pressure across your filter and ducts, replace the filter, and check for obvious blockages. We measure temperature differential across your indoor coil and verify your thermostat’s temperature reading against a calibrated thermometer.
We compile all measurements into a commissioning report: refrigerant pressures, electrical test results, airflow data, and components inspected. We explain what we found and discuss any seasonal adjustments to your thermostat and maintenance scheduling for the next season.
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. Each maintenance visit covers these essential areas to keep your heat pump system running efficiently year-round.
From refrigerant optimization to electrical testing, our comprehensive tune-ups address every component that affects your system’s performance, efficiency, and longevity. You receive detailed reporting on your system’s condition and recommendations for the future.
Precise measurement of superheat and subcooling to ensure exact refrigerant charge. Proper charge improves efficiency by 10–20% and prevents compressor stress that leads to early failure.
Comprehensive testing of capacitors, contactors, and electrical connections. We catch failing components before they leave you without heating or cooling during peak seasons.
Professional cleaning of outdoor condenser coils and inspection of indoor evaporator coils. Clean coils improve heat transfer efficiency and prevent freeze-up issues during heating season.
Static pressure measurement across filters and ductwork to identify restrictions. Proper airflow is essential for efficient heat pump operation and prevents compressor overheating.
Verification of thermostat accuracy and programming optimization for heat pump operation. Proper thermostat settings improve comfort and reduce energy consumption.
Written documentation of all measurements, test results, and system condition. You receive transparent data about your system’s health and recommendations for future planning.
We recommend twice-yearly maintenance: a cooling-system tune-up before peak demand and a heating-system tune-up before you rely on heat. Some customers with older systems or heavy usage opt for quarterly checks. Most customers maintain year-round efficiency and reliability with our two-visit schedule.
Our tune-up covers outdoor unit inspection and cleaning, refrigerant charge measurement and adjustment if needed, electrical system testing, filter replacement, airflow assessment, thermostat verification, and a detailed commissioning report. The visit typically takes 1–2 hours. We test both heating and cooling function, even if you’re only in one season.
You can replace filters and keep the outdoor unit clear of debris — those are homeowner tasks. Refrigerant work, electrical testing, and compressor inspection require EPA 608 certification and specialized tools. DIY refrigerant handling voids your warranty and can be dangerous. Professional maintenance is the right choice.
Annual maintenance plans are modest and typically include both the cooling and heating tune-ups, filter replacement, cleaning, and a detailed report. Some plans add small discounts on repairs or extended warranty coverage. Compared to the cost of unexpected repairs, maintenance plans pay for themselves within a single service call.
Most, but not all. Maintenance catches slow leaks, degrading capacitors, and efficiency decline — problems that cause 70–80% of heat pump issues. It doesn’t prevent sudden component failures like a rare motor bearing seizing. But preventive maintenance dramatically reduces unexpected breakdowns and extends your system’s life.
A comprehensive tune-up takes 1–2 hours depending on your system’s complexity and any issues found. Simple systems might finish in 60–75 minutes. If we discover a problem — a refrigerant leak needing repair, a capacitor requiring replacement — that adds time but prevents a future breakdown.
One year missed probably won’t cause immediate failure. But you’ll miss detecting slow problems early. After 2–3 years of skipped maintenance, efficiency drops noticeably, small issues become big ones, and you’re more likely to face an expensive repair. The cost of one unexpected repair usually exceeds the savings from skipping maintenance.
We’ll explain what we found, estimate repair cost, and get your approval before proceeding. Many minor issues (capacitor replacement, small refrigerant leak repair) can be handled during the maintenance visit. Major issues get a separate quote, and you can decide whether to proceed immediately or plan for it later.
Often, yes. High energy costs frequently trace back to low refrigerant charge, dirty coils, or leaking ductwork — all issues we address during maintenance. After a proper tune-up, you might see your summer and winter bills drop 10–20%. If bills stay high despite maintenance, we’ll help diagnose whether ductwork sealing or air quality improvements are needed.
Yes. If your heat pump system breaks down between scheduled visits, maintenance plan members get next-available appointments. You skip the waiting list during peak seasons. You also typically receive a discount on any repair work, which often offsets the plan cost in a single repair.
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 well-maintained heat pump runs efficiently, quietly, and reliably for 15–20+ years. Spencer Heating and Air brings 55+ years of Lake Martin expertise to every maintenance visit — we measure system performance precisely, clean and adjust components thoroughly, and provide you with honest data about your system’s health.
