Not every home in Western Montana sits on a natural gas line. Head up the Lolo Creek and US 12 corridor, out into the Bitterroot past Stevensville and Hamilton, or around the Flathead Lake area near Polson, and a lot of houses, shops, and cabins heat with propane. Propane furnaces are dependable, but they come with a few extra things to think about when winter shows up, and a problem 30 miles from town on a January night is a lot more stressful than one in the middle of Missoula.
Jeremy Eisenmann, owner of ProCare Climate, has spent more than 10 years working on furnaces across Western Montana. Here's what he wants propane homeowners to know heading into the cold months.
How a Propane Furnace Differs from Natural Gas
A propane furnace works much like a natural gas furnace: it burns fuel, heats a heat exchanger, and a blower moves warm air through your ducts. The big differences are the fuel supply and the setup.
You manage your own fuel. Instead of a utility line, you have a tank on the property, and someone has to keep an eye on the level.
The furnace has to be set up for propane. Propane and natural gas run at different pressures, so a furnace needs the correct conversion parts and adjustments for the fuel it's using. A furnace that wasn't set up properly can run poorly or unsafely.
Rural homes often have longer service trips. That makes preventive maintenance even more valuable, because catching a weak part in the fall beats a no-heat call during a cold snap.
Watch Your Tank Level Before the Cold Hits
Running out of propane is an easy-to-avoid reason a rural furnace stops working. When a tank runs dry, it isn't always as simple as refilling it. Your propane supplier may need to check the system for leaks and relight pilots before your appliances are safe to use again, and that can take time during a busy winter.
A few habits help:
Check your tank gauge regularly, and more often during long cold stretches.
Ask your propane supplier about automatic delivery or a fill schedule if you don't already have one.
Keep the path to your tank clear of snow so the delivery driver can reach it and you can read the gauge.
Know the Smell, and Know What to Do
Propane has an odorant added so leaks are easier to notice; it's often described as a rotten-egg smell. If you smell it inside your home:
Don't flip light switches, use phones inside, or do anything that could make a spark.
Get everyone out of the house.
If it's safe to do so, shut off the gas supply at the tank.
From a safe distance, call your propane supplier or 911.
Don't go back in until a qualified professional says it's safe.
Working carbon monoxide detectors are just as important. Any fuel-burning furnace, propane included, can produce carbon monoxide if something goes wrong with combustion or venting. Test your CO detectors and replace batteries as needed.
Why a Fall Tune-Up Matters More Out of Town
A professional furnace tune-up is a good idea for any home, but it matters even more when you're a long drive from help. During a propane furnace tune-up, a technician typically looks at things like:
Burner condition and flame quality
Ignition system and flame sensor
Gas pressure, set correctly for propane
Heat exchanger condition
Venting and flue connections
Blower, filter, and electrical connections
Safety controls and shutoffs
A lot of winter no-heat calls start as small issues, like a dirty flame sensor or a worn igniter, that could have been spotted earlier. Fall is the time to deal with them.
Simple Things You Can Do Yourself
You don't need to be an HVAC tech to help your propane furnace through winter:
Change your filter. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder and can cause it to shut off on a safety limit.
Keep vents and intakes clear. If your furnace vents out a side wall, make sure snow, ice, or drifts don't block the pipes.
Keep the area around the furnace clear. Don't store paint, gas cans, or clutter near the unit.
Pay attention to changes. New noises, short cycling, a yellow or flickering flame, or a furnace that runs but doesn't keep up are all worth a call.
Thinking About a Replacement?
If your propane furnace is getting older, needs frequent repairs, or your propane bills feel higher than they should, it may be worth looking at your options. Depending on your home, that might mean a new high-efficiency propane furnace, an electric furnace, or a heat pump paired with a propane furnace for backup on the coldest days. ProCare Climate installs and services propane and electric furnaces as well as heat pumps, and we work on all brands. We can walk you through the honest pros and cons for your property, and install estimates are free.
Propane Furnace Service Across Western Montana
ProCare Climate is based in Missoula and serves homes and businesses in Lolo and up the US 12 corridor to the Idaho line, Frenchtown, Stevensville, Hamilton, Polson, and across Western Montana. Learn more about our furnace repair and service.
We're open 24/7, because furnaces don't wait for business hours. Call ProCare Climate at 406-546-1289 for propane furnace service, a fall tune-up, or a free install estimate, or request one online.