How often should my furnace be serviced?

Your furnace should be professionally serviced at least once a year, ideally in the fall before the heating season begins. Annual maintenance prevents unexpected breakdowns, improves energy efficiency, and extends the life of your system. Spencer Home Services offers comprehensive heating tune-ups for homeowners. Call (978) 293-5770 to schedule.

When should I replace my furnace vs. repair it?

Consider furnace replacement if your system is over 15 years old, needs frequent repairs, your energy bills are rising, or it struggles to heat your home evenly. As a rule of thumb, if a repair costs more than 50% of a new system, replacement is the smarter investment. Spencer provides free estimates on installations and replacements.

How long does a furnace installation take?

A standard furnace installation typically takes 4 to 8 hours, depending on the complexity of the job. If ductwork modifications are needed, it may take an additional day. Spencer Home Services handles the entire process — removal of the old unit, installation, testing, and cleanup — so your home is warm again as quickly as possible.

What are the signs my furnace is failing?

Common signs include strange noises (banging, rattling, squealing), uneven heating throughout your home, a yellow or flickering pilot light, rising energy bills, frequent cycling on and off, and the system being over 15 years old. If you notice any of these in your home, call Spencer at (978) 293-5770 for a same-day diagnostic.

What’s included in a heating tune-up?

A Spencer heating tune-up includes inspection of all components, thermostat calibration, filter replacement, burner and heat exchanger cleaning, safety control testing, carbon monoxide check, and efficiency measurement. We check for potential issues before they become expensive repairs. Same-day service available.

How quickly can a heating technician get to Merrimac?

Same-day heating service is available throughout Merrimac and the surrounding Essex County communities.

Is Spencer a Mass Save contractor?

Spencer is a Mass Save HPIN contractor.

North Shore Heating Specialists

Heating Services in Merrimac, MA

Name: Spencer Home Services
Price range: $$

Spencer provides heating and furnace repair for homeowners in Merrimac and across the North Shore.

Call 978-293-5770 Book online

4.9 Google ratingPhones answered live 24/7

A heat pump outdoor unit beside a house, with a Spencer van in the driveway.

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Schedule Heating Service

978-293-5770

Phones answered live 24/7
Office Mon-Fri 7am-4pm

Licensed & insured · MA #11868 · #4610PLC
4.9 Google rating
Family-owned in Peabody since 1982
Same-day service available. Ask when you call.

“Pasquale took care of my aging HVAC. He was punctual, professional, efficient and got my HVAC back in prime condition. Considering signing up for their annual service maintenance.”

Venki A., Google review, September 2026

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Serving Merrimac

Google reviews from Spencer customers

4.9 Google rating

Read our Google reviews →

       
 Excellent4.91192 reviews
 4.9
 Excellent1192 reviews
  Write a review 
 
 
 
       Posted on Google  
  
 
   William Lepene 
 29 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
The whole team spencer, nick, made sure everything was good with my new furnace.  They replaced a 65yr old gas furnace with no issues
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Adelaide Rhodes (AddeyR) 
 30 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +2
Thank you Stephen and Brian and team for helping me get my driveway paved. I appreciate your help with permitting and scheduling.

Adding an update now that I see how badly the light poles are damaged. I specifically told the people who came out to put forms around these lights and they didn’t do so and now look what has happened - more work. Companies should respect the homeowners when they make a specific request like this because there’s a good reason for it because in order to locate the electric electrical, I’m going to have to dig up the new asphalt. This is a real problem and the drainage is a little messed up as well.  Not so happy now.

Update: They sent out an electrician first thing and are going to locate a similar lamp and do the repair. Thanks guys!!! I really appreciate a company that stands by its work!!!!
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   L V 
 47 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
Spencer Home Services is great. From a very responsive customer call center to a timely technician visit, every step of this stressful process was made easy. Our water heater kicked out on us on a Friday afternoon heading into a Nor'easter weather weekend....ugh....we were up and running with a new system by 5pm. Cannot thank the technicians enough. Shane and Steve were competent, respectful, and efficient. Thank you. Highly, highly recommend Spencer Home Services!!
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Ginny Colarusso 
 49 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
Pasquale was polite, personable & efficient. He did a great job with my service maintenance The old piping and hosing had deteriorated after five years. This will definitely last much longer.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Justin Repp 
 57 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +2
I needed a sewer line replaced on my property in Lowell. The issue was a complicated one but Will came out to assess the problem and gave me a fair price (much cheaper than another company!). Then the team of Oscar, Bryan, Paul, Julio, Cesar, and others came out and banged out the job in one (long) day. They crushed it. Highly recommend.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Patrick Proctor 
 62 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
We found a 75 year old sewer pipe starting to leak and crack at the joints. Spencer Home Services was extremely helpful in giving an estimate and getting it repaired quickly by a skilled plumber!
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Courtney Landry 
 82 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
Thanks so much to Jesse & the entire Spencer team! From my first interaction, I was kept up to date and given the best advice on how to move forward with a water leak. The service was professional, efficient, and a pleasure. I am a repeat customer and would gladly recommend Spencer Home Services to anyone. Thank you!
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Mason Gohl 
 85 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +1
Jesse was great.  He showed up and got the job done.  SPH was very communicative which meant no worries!  Very happy.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Ryan Penney 
 102 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +2
I Called Spencer yesterday with a sewer issue at my Clients home. They came out, assessed the job. Laid out all the options to the client. Had a price back in less than an hour. Client accepted the price, signed the contract, and the job was completed Today by 3:00. Professionals from the beginning and all the way through until the end.
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Weihai Chen 
 119 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +1
I had an excellent experience with Spencer Home Services replacing my main water line — nearly 200 feet long! The crew worked efficiently and managed to finish everything within a single day, which was very impressive.

The pricing was great, and the team went above and beyond with the cleanup and grading afterward — the yard looked neat and well-restored when they were done.

Special thanks to Bryan Paul, Julio, Brian, Oscar, and Cesar for their professionalism, hard work, and attention to detail. I highly recommend Spencer Home Services for anyone looking for reliable and high-quality service!

---------------
7/16/26
Great company, actually stands by their warranty!

Spencer Home Services put in a new main sewer line for me last August. Over the winter, the street patch settled a bit and started turning into a pothole. I called them up to see if they’d fix it under their warranty, and they were awesome about it.

First, they sent someone out two weeks ago to run a camera down the whole pipe. They wanted to make sure the shifting dirt didn't cause any sagging or bellies underground, and they did the inspection with absolutely no pushback or extra fees.

Once we confirmed the pipe was in perfect shape, they scheduled a crew to come back today to fix the road. They cut a clean square and put down a really solid, hot asphalt patch that's completely level with the street.

It's rare to find a company that actually stands by their work and coordinates everything without a fight. Highly recommend them!
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   Steven Murphy 
 133 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +3
I had two projects done at my property. One was reline my sewer line and install a line for a basement half bathroom. The other was replacing my hot water storage tank. The worker quality was excellent, the only problem I had was finding the offices to pay off the work
  
 
 
     Posted on Google  
  
 
   karen mancuso 
 142 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.  +0
I had 2 mini split systems installed in my townhome on the second and third floors. The work was done carefully and with good attention to details both outside and inside by Charles Barragan and John Sacharczyk.
They provided thorough instruction with demonstrations on how to operate the systems with a remote regarding all modes, options etc . I am extremely pleased with the service from Spencer Home Service from estimate to completion. Charles and John provided  high quality work and were in a pleasure to work with.
  
 
 
 
 
  Load more

Services We Offer in Merrimac

Repairs & No-Heat Calls

No heat, short cycling, or a system that will not fire.

Maintenance & Tune-Ups

Keeping it running before the cold arrives.

Installation & Replacement

New furnaces, boilers and heat pumps.

Systems & Controls

Heat pumps, conversions and smart controls.

Why homeowners choose Spencer

Family-owned, locally operated
A Peabody family business since 1982.
Phones answered live 24/7
Office Mon-Fri 7am-4pm.
Options and pricing first
You receive options and pricing before work begins, and you choose which work to approve.
Lifetime workmanship warranty
For the typical lifespan of the installation. Terms apply.
Licensed & insuredMA #11868 · #4610PLC
One local teamPlumbers, HVAC technicians and electricians
Free replacement estimatesFor installations and replacements

Call 978-293-5770 Book online

See warranty details →

Merrimac systems & permits

Of 2,815 occupied Merrimac housing units, 61.0% heat with utility gas, 20.5% with fuel oil or kerosene, 9.8% with electricity and 7.6% with bottled or tank propane (ACS 2020-2024 5-year, table B25040).
Merrimac Municipal Light Department states that Mass Save is funded by National Grid, Eversource and Unitil, that National Grid natural gas customers in Merrimac do qualify, and that 'if you are on propane, electric or oil, unfortunately you do not qualify for Mass Save programs.'
MMLD has partnered with HomeWorks Energy to route residents with natural gas heat into the Mass Save program, and separately expanded a no-cost energy assessment offer to fifty homes that use oil and propane.
Merrimac has accepted only online permit applications since November 29, 2016 — paper applications for residential and commercial building, electrical, plumbing and gas, mechanical and sprinkler permits are no longer accepted.

Sources:

censusreporter.org

merrimaclight.com

townofmerrimac.com

143

nights below freezing, in an average year

What winter actually asks of a system in Merrimac

Merrimac drops below freezing on about 143 nights a year, and below 10°F on about 21 of them. Those coldest nights — not the average winter day — are what a furnace, boiler or heat pump has to be sized for. A system that keeps up in November and struggles in January is usually a sizing problem, not a broken one.

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, recorded at the Haverhill station — the nearest reporting station, about 6 miles away.

Common questions

Heating FAQs in Merrimac

How often should my furnace be serviced?
Your furnace should be professionally serviced at least once a year, ideally in the fall before the heating season begins. Annual maintenance prevents unexpected breakdowns, improves energy efficiency, and extends the life of your system. Spencer Home Services offers comprehensive heating tune-ups for homeowners. Call (978) 293-5770 to schedule.
When should I replace my furnace vs. repair it?
Consider furnace replacement if your system is over 15 years old, needs frequent repairs, your energy bills are rising, or it struggles to heat your home evenly. As a rule of thumb, if a repair costs more than 50% of a new system, replacement is the smarter investment. Spencer provides free estimates on installations and replacements.
How long does a furnace installation take?
A standard furnace installation typically takes 4 to 8 hours, depending on the complexity of the job. If ductwork modifications are needed, it may take an additional day. Spencer Home Services handles the entire process — removal of the old unit, installation, testing, and cleanup — so your home is warm again as quickly as possible.
What are the signs my furnace is failing?
Common signs include strange noises (banging, rattling, squealing), uneven heating throughout your home, a yellow or flickering pilot light, rising energy bills, frequent cycling on and off, and the system being over 15 years old. If you notice any of these in your home, call Spencer at (978) 293-5770 for a same-day diagnostic.
What’s included in a heating tune-up?
A Spencer heating tune-up includes inspection of all components, thermostat calibration, filter replacement, burner and heat exchanger cleaning, safety control testing, carbon monoxide check, and efficiency measurement. We check for potential issues before they become expensive repairs. Same-day service available.
How quickly can a heating technician get to Merrimac?
Same-day heating service is available throughout Merrimac and the surrounding Essex County communities.
Is Spencer a Mass Save contractor?
Spencer is a Mass Save HPIN contractor.

Heating service in Merrimac and nearby towns

We serve the North Shore, Merrimack Valley and nearby Middlesex County.

See the full service area →

Other Spencer Services in Merrimac

One company for the whole house.

Plumbing Services in MerrimacLeaks, water heaters, fixtures and repiping.Cooling Services in MerrimacCentral AC, mini splits and heat pumps.Electrical Services in MerrimacPanels, wiring, EV chargers and generators.Drain & Sewer Services in MerrimacDrain clearing, camera inspection and no-dig repair.