Professionals at each stage of the maintenance process might benefit from knowing how to maintain optimal furnace performance. Here are seven things to follow to make sure your propane furnace maintenance is up to date.

• Perform a combustion analysis first

Check for any blockage over the exhaust flue and intake pipe on the exterior of the home. Calibrate your combustion analyzer outdoors to ensure you’re not picking up any exhaust leaks inside the house. Drill into the PVC flue that carries exhaust out of the house to insert the probe.

• Check the burners and the heat exchanger

-Safety: Make sure the burners and heat exchanger are in good condition to avoid any potential accidents or injuries.

-Efficiency: Check the burners and exchangers to make sure they’re working properly so your unit runs as efficiently as possible.

• Verify the flame sensor and igniter

Use your ohmmeter to check for specified resistance at the igniter, and inspect the flame sensorwear.

• Quantify the increase in temperature

Most high-efficiency systems will increase in temperature during heating by 40 to 70 degrees when operating properly. We recommend a temperature rise somewhere right in the middle of that range.

• Analyze the gas pressure

The biggest difference with propane furnaces is that they operate at different pressures than a natural gas system. Measure the pressure on both sides of the valve to ensure each is within the manufacturer’s specifications. Some people like pressure-sensitive safety valves in propane systems.

• Examine for gas leaks

Instead of utilizing electronic leak detectors, which often produce false positive results, some experts advise checking for leaks with a straightforward soap-and-water solution.

• Examine and unclog the drain

The drain trap for the condensate is one of the most frequently overlooked maintenance features specific to condensing boilers. But with time, the trap gathers dirt and can back up with water.