25 Years Serving St. Louis•Home of the $55 Service Charge•Available 24/7 for Emergencies•Family-Owned & Operated by Kim Manson•All Major Brands Serviced•25 Years Serving St. Louis•Home of the $55 Service Charge•Available 24/7 for Emergencies•Family-Owned & Operated by Kim Manson•All Major Brands Serviced•
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Heating• August 30, 2026• 5 min read

Furnace Won't Ignite? Here's What to Check Before You Call

A cold furnace on a freezing St. Louis night is an emergency. Walk through these quick checks, then call Kim for a $55 diagnostic.

By Kim Manson · Manson's Heating & Cooling

Furnace Won't Ignite? Here's What to Check Before You Call

When the temperature drops into the teens and your furnace won't fire, it's a genuine emergency. Before you call, a couple of quick checks can save time — and sometimes the fix is simpler than you think.

First, check your thermostat. Is it set to heat, and is the temperature set above the current room temperature? A dead battery or an accidental switch to 'cool' is the most common culprit we see.

Second, check the breaker and the furnace switch. The switch on the side of the unit looks like a light switch and gets bumped more often than you'd expect. Make sure it's on, and confirm the breaker hasn't tripped.

Third, check the air filter. A badly clogged filter can cause the furnace to shut down on a safety limit. If it's filthy, replace it and try again.

Fourth, listen for the inducer and igniter. If you hear the small fan spin up but never hear the click of ignition or see a flame, you likely have a bad igniter or a gas-supply issue. That's where a professional diagnosis matters — gas safety is not a DIY project.

If those four steps don't get you heat, call (314) 210-6487. We're available 24/7 for emergencies, and our diagnostic is a flat $55 with no hidden trip fees. We'll have your home warm again, fast.

Need help right now?

Book a complete $55 HVAC checkup online, or call Kim and the family directly.