FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2008
Release #08-199 |
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 746 8344
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
|
Rinnai Recalls Wall Furnaces Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556
Units: About 52,000
Manufacturer: Rinnai America Corp., of Peachtree City, Ga.
Hazard: A gasket in the unit can fail, posing a risk of poisonous carbon monoxide gas leaking into the home.
Incidents/Injuries: Rinnai has received 11 reports of carbon monoxide leaking from the furnace. No injuries have been reported.
Description: 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. The following model numbers are included in the recall:
| Model RHFE-431 |
FAIII-N |
FAIII-P |
| |
WTA-N |
WTA-P |
| |
WTA-72B-N |
WTA-76B-N |
| |
|
|
| Model RHFE-556 |
FAIII-N |
FAIII-P |
| |
WTA-N |
WTA-P |
The model number is printed on the top of the rating plate located on the right side of the unit. The recall includes only those 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.
Sold through: Wholesale distributors nationwide to contractors and dealers from February 2000 through December 2007 for between $1,600 and $1,900.
Manufactured in: Japan
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the furnace immediately and contact the firm to arrange for the installation of a free repair kit.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rinnai toll-free at (866) 746-8344 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.wallfurnacerecall.com
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.