Saturday, February 23, 2008

Safety Notification Rinnai and Greenheck Furnace Recall

Breaking News an Wall Furnace Recall

Furnaces Recalled for Carbon Monoxide, Fire Dangers


The U.S. Consumer Produces Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued two recalls for defective heating devices. Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately. The CPSC, in cooperation with the manufacturer—Greenheck Fan Corporation of Schofield, Wisconsin—announced a voluntary recall of the Indirect Gas-Fired Furnaces. The recall affects 1,500 products and is due to the ignition control module which can fail, preventing the unit from shutting down in high temperature conditions. This malfunction poses a risk of fire, as well as hazardous fumes being released from burning or melting insulation. To date, no incidents or injuries have been reported.

The recall involves Greenheck Indirect Gas-Fired Furnaces models PVF, PVFH, IGX, IG, ERH, and ERCH. The model name can be found on either the control center door or the furnace door. The furnace is either natural gas or LP gas—propane—fueled. Only units with ignition control module model number 35-615922-125 are included in the recall. The Greenheck Fan Indirect Gas-Fired Furnaces were made in the United States and sold by sales representatives to mechanical contractors nationwide from November 2006 through October 2007 and retailed for between $2,000 and $100,000.

Property managers or job sites who/that have not been contacted by Greenheck Fan should contact the firm to arrange for a free repair. For additional information, contact Greenheck Fan at (800) 931-6579 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.greenheck.com

The CPSC also recalled Rinnai Wall Furnaces due to carbon monoxide hazards. In collaboration with Rinnai America Corporation of Peachtree City, Georgia, the CPSC announced a voluntary recall of the Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE. Rinnai sold approximately 52,000 of the recalled Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces and received 11 reports of carbon monoxide leaking from the furnace; no injuries have been reported. The Direct-Vent Wall Furnace gasket in the unit can fail, posing a risk of poisonous carbon monoxide gas leaking into the home.

The recall involves Rinnai EnergySaver Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556. They are either natural gas or LP gas—propane—fueled and involve the following models: Model RHFE-431: FAIII-N, FAIII-P, WRA-N, WTA-P, WTA-72B-N, and WTA-76B-N and Model RHFE-556: FAIII-N, FAIII-P, WTA-N, WTA-P. The model number is printed on the top of the rating plate which can be located on the right side of the unit. The recall only includes units manufactured from February 2000 through December 2007. The manufacturing date code is the first four digits of the serial number, written as YY MM and is located at the bottom of the rating plate.

The furnaces, which were manufactured in Japan, were sold by wholesale distributors nationwide to contractors and dealers from February 2000 through December 2007 for between $1,600 and $1,900. Consumers should stop using the furnace immediately and contact the firm to arrange for the installation of a free repair kit. For additional information, contact Rinnai toll-free at (866) 746-8344 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.wallfurnacerecall.com

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