When your heat pump stops heating or cooling, you need immediate attention and an honest diagnosis. Spencer Heating and Air has been fixing heat pumps since 1967, and we understand the unique demands of Alabama’s climate — humid Lake Martin summers and unpredictable freeze events. We know the difference between a simple refrigerant charge and a failing compressor. We offer same-day repair across Alexander City, Kellyton, and surrounding communities.
Fill out our quick form and we’ll reach out with next-step options. No pressure, no sales pitch — just honest guidance on what your heat pump needs. We serve Alexander City, Kellyton, Equality, and surrounding Lake Martin communities with same-day response when possible.
256-373-3165Five reasons Lake Martin homeowners choose Spencer when their heat pump fails. Click any card to read the detail.
We don’t guess. Our AL-licensed team uses specialized equipment to pinpoint the exact problem.
Whether you’re looking at a refrigerant leak, compressor failure, reversing valve issue, or frozen coil — each requires a different fix. We explain what we find and why it happened.
Heat pump failures can’t wait. We offer fast, same-day service.
A home without heating in January or cooling in August is urgent. We prioritize urgent calls and aim to diagnose the problem the same day you call.
A heat pump compressor failure might mean replacement is smarter than an expensive repair.
Especially if your unit is 12+ years old. We’ll run the numbers with you, explain the maintenance history that led to the failure, and let you decide. No pressure to upsell.
We’re an American Standard Customer Care Dealer with deep familiarity with the systems we service.
The majority of heat pumps we service are American Standard units. That familiarity means faster diagnosis and access to genuine parts that keep your system reliable.
Many heat pump breakdowns trace back to deferred maintenance.
We’ll review your service history, recommend a tune-up schedule to avoid future failures, and connect you with our Lake Martin-based team for routine checks that catch problems before they become breakdowns.
Tap a symptom to see why it matters and how soon you should call.
If your heat pump won’t respond to the thermostat or cycles between on and off every few minutes, the reversing valve (which switches between heating and cooling modes) may be stuck, or the compressor may be failing to start. A frozen outdoor unit can also prevent startup in heating mode.
What to do: This isn’t a thermostat setting fix — it’s a refrigerant or mechanical issue that requires service.
When to Call
Same Day
Electrical or compressor issues can worsen quickly without professional diagnosis.
Heat pumps rely on proper refrigerant charge and airflow to distribute conditioned air evenly. If some rooms stay cold while others stay warm, or if airflow feels weak throughout the house, you might have a refrigerant leak, frozen evaporator coil, or clogged filter.
What to do: We’ll check all three and identify which is robbing your home of comfort.
When to Call
This Week
Poor airflow reduces efficiency and can damage the compressor over time.
A grinding sound inside the outdoor unit often signals compressor wear. Hissing usually means refrigerant escaping from a crack or loose fitting. Loud rattling could indicate loose components inside the cabinet or a failing fan motor.
What to do: All three warrant a service call — ignoring them often leads to complete system failure within weeks.
When to Call
This Week
Grinding noise especially — early intervention often saves expensive repairs later.
In heating mode, frost on the outdoor coil is normal briefly, but thick ice buildup means the defrost cycle isn’t working properly. In cooling mode, the outdoor unit shouldn’t sweat or produce water — if it does, the refrigerant charge is too low.
What to do: Both conditions reduce efficiency and can damage the compressor if left unchecked.
When to Call
Today
Ice buildup or refrigerant issues can cause permanent compressor damage.
If you smell something sweet or solvent-like near the outdoor unit, refrigerant is leaking. Refrigerant is colorless and mostly odorless, but many suppliers add a pungent odorant so technicians can detect leaks.
What to do: A leak means your system won’t cool or heat effectively, and the compressor will overheat without the refrigerant oil that cools it. This requires immediate service.
When to Call
Right Now
Refrigerant leaks require immediate service to locate and seal the leak.
A heat pump that runs but delivers almost no heating or cooling might have a low refrigerant charge, a clogged filter, a failing compressor, or a stuck reversing valve. Don’t assume it’s a thermostat issue — improper refrigerant charge is the most common culprit.
What to do: We’ll test the charge and diagnose the root cause before it damages the compressor over time.
When to Call
Soon
Weak performance often indicates refrigerant or compressor issues that worsen over time.
Methodical testing, transparent results, no guessing. Every Spencer repair follows the same five-step process — from the first call through the final system test.
When you call or submit a repair request, we ask what your heat pump is and isn’t doing — is it not cooling at all, or just not keeping up? Is it making unusual noises? We use this information to estimate whether we can fit you in the same day (for urgent repairs) or within 24–48 hours.
Our technician arrives with diagnostic tools: refrigerant gauges, airflow meters, electrical testers, and thermal imaging equipment. They’ll inspect the indoor evaporator coil, outdoor condenser, compressor, reversing valve, and thermostat connections. They’ll measure refrigerant pressure, check for electrical faults, and test the fan motors.
Before we touch a wrench, we explain what we found. If it’s a refrigerant leak, we show you where. If it’s a compressor failure, we explain why (age, refrigerant starvation, electrical overload, etc.). We’ll quote both the repair cost and the estimated remaining life of the unit.
Once you approve, we perform the repair — whether that’s replacing a reversing valve, sealing a refrigerant leak, replacing a failed fan motor, or testing an electrical component. We use genuine American Standard parts whenever possible. After the repair, we retest the system.
We’ll provide a detailed report of what we repaired, the parts we used, and the work performed. We’ll also recommend a maintenance schedule to prevent future failures — typically an annual fall tune-up before heating season and a spring check before heavy cooling demand.
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. The first card shows the most common heat pump repair we run — the rest fan out as you explore.
From refrigerant leaks to failed compressors, our technicians diagnose, explain, and repair every kind of heat pump issue homeowners run into. We will walk you through what is happening, what it will take to fix, and whether a repair or replacement is the smarter call.
Leaks reduce efficiency and damage the compressor. We locate the source using electronic leak detection and thermal imaging, seal the fitting or crack, and recharge the system to the manufacturer’s spec for your unit’s tonnage and outdoor temperature.
The reversing valve switches your heat pump between heating and cooling modes. When it sticks, your system might blow cold air in winter or warm in summer. We replace the valve and test both modes to confirm proper operation.
If the outdoor fan isn’t spinning, the condenser can’t reject heat efficiently. We’ll replace the motor, test the capacitor (which often fails alongside the motor), and verify airflow recovery.
A failed compressor is the most serious (and costly) repair. We’ll recommend replacement if the unit is already 12+ years old or if repair cost approaches 50% of a new system. For newer units, compressor replacement may be the economical choice.
A frozen or clogged indoor coil reduces airflow and cooling capacity. We’ll clean it if the ice or buildup is removable, or replace it if there’s internal corrosion or irreparable damage.
Sometimes the issue isn’t the heat pump — it’s the thermostat not signaling the unit properly. We’ll test the wiring and control board. If the thermostat is faulty, we can upgrade to a smart model that offers better control and energy tracking.
Repair costs vary depending on the specific issue—a simple refrigerant recharge is far less expensive than a compressor replacement. We provide a detailed quote before starting any work. For units over 12 years old, we’ll compare repair costs to replacement to help you decide.
No. Heat pump repairs require EPA 608 certification to handle refrigerant, specialized diagnostic tools, and knowledge of electrical systems. Attempting DIY repairs risks injury, voids warranties, and often causes more damage. We’re licensed and equipped — let us handle the diagnosis.
Simple repairs like a refrigerant recharge take 1–2 hours. More complex work like reversing valve replacement or compressor diagnostics can take 2–4 hours. We’ll give you an estimate when we arrive and diagnose the problem.
Not always. If your unit is under 10 years old and the repair cost is less than 50% of replacement, repair is usually the better choice. If it’s 12–15+ years old, has a history of repeated repairs, or needs a major compressor replacement, replacement may save money over the next few years. We’ll help you weigh the options.
Grinding, hissing, or rattling usually signals a mechanical or refrigerant problem. Grinding inside the compressor, hissing from a refrigerant leak, or rattling from loose components can all worsen if ignored. Call us to diagnose — early intervention often saves expensive repairs later.
We’re open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. We prioritize urgent repairs like no heat or no cooling and aim to diagnose your problem the same day you contact us.
Repair fixes a specific problem (leak, valve, motor) and extends the unit’s life. Replacement installs a new, efficient unit with a fresh warranty and the latest features (smart thermostat, quieter operation, higher SEER ratings). We’ll advise which makes sense for your situation.
Weak cooling or heating, hissing sounds, or frost on the outdoor coil are common signs. We use electronic leak detection equipment to pinpoint the source. Once we find the leak, we seal it and recharge the system.
For most repairs, yes. We stock common compressor, fan motor, and valve replacements. If we need a specialty part, we can often order it overnight and complete the repair within 24 hours.
Heat pumps work year-round (unlike AC-only systems in mild climates). Annual maintenance — a fall heating-season check and spring cooling-season check — catches problems early, keeps the unit running at peak efficiency, and extends the compressor’s life. Regular tune-ups prevent costly breakdowns that can run ten times the cost of a maintenance visit.
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 broken heat pump leaves your home uncomfortable and your family frustrated. You deserve a contractor who diagnoses the real problem, explains your repair and replacement options without pressure, and gets your system running reliably again. Spencer Heating and Air has been the Lake Martin’s trusted heat pump repair team since 1967.
