A method of operating a fuel heating system comprising: performing pre-ignition diagnostic checks on a plurality of components of the fuel heating system, wherein at least one exhaust inlet damper and at least one exhaust outlet damper of an exhaust flow circuit are each in a closed position, wherein the at least one exhaust inlet damper controls an amount of exhaust air that enters the exhaust flow circuit and subsequent to expulsion of the exhaust air from an exhaust return path, the exhaust air is routed to a junction configured to route the exhaust air to a recirculation path and an outlet path, and a routed ratio of the exhaust air to the recirculation path and the outlet path is controlled by at least one recirculation damper and the at least one exhaust outlet damper, disposed within the recirculation path and the outlet path, respectively; monitoring a fuel heater of the fuel heating system for a fuel leak with at least one methane detection device and performing at least one of: opening the at least one recirculation damper to an open position during the leak check, wherein performing the leak check of the fuel heater is conducted subsequent to starting a gas turbine engine in communication with the fuel heating system, and opening an isolation valve for allowing a flow of a fuel from a fuel supply arrangement to the fuel heater, for pressurization of the fuel heater; purging the fuel heating system of an accumulation of unburned hydrocarbons; operating the fuel heating system in a normal operating condition; and operating the fuel heating system in a cool down condition, wherein the at least one exhaust inlet damper is in the closed position. performing pre-ignition diagnostic checks on a plurality of components of the fuel heating system, wherein at least one exhaust inlet damper and at least one exhaust outlet damper of an exhaust flow circuit are each in a closed position, wherein the at least one exhaust inlet damper controls an amount of exhaust air that enters the exhaust flow circuit and subsequent to expulsion of the exhaust air from an exhaust return path, the exhaust air is routed to a junction configured to route the exhaust air to a recirculation path and an outlet path, and a routed ratio of the exhaust air to the recirculation path and the outlet path is controlled by at least one recirculation damper and the at least one exhaust outlet damper, disposed within the recirculation path and the outlet path, respectively; monitoring a fuel heater of the fuel heating system for a fuel leak with at least one methane detection device and performing at least one of: opening the at least one recirculation damper to an open position during the leak check, wherein performing the leak check of the fuel heater is conducted subsequent to starting a gas turbine engine in communication with the fuel heating system, and opening an isolation valve for allowing a flow of a fuel from a fuel supply arrangement to the fuel heater, for pressurization of the fuel heater; purging the fuel heating system of an accumulation of unburned hydrocarbons; operating the fuel heating system in a normal operating condition; and operating the fuel heating system in a cool down condition, wherein the at least one exhaust inlet damper is in the closed position.