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CPSC, Honeywell Announce Revised Rating and Recall of Electric Baseboard Heater Thermostats

  • Recalled Honeywell baseboard heater thermostat
Name of Product:
Honeywell baseboard heater thermostats
Hazard:

The thermostats are used only on electric baseboard heaters. The thermostats were rated at a higher wattage than they are able to handle. If too much power runs through the thermostats, they can overheat, presenting a potential fire hazard.

Remedy:
Label
Replace
Recall Date:
July 09, 1998
Units:

About 2,600

Consumer Contact

Consumers may call Honeywell toll free at (877) 575-4533 anytime to determine if their thermostat is involved in this recall.

Recall Details

Description:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Honeywell Inc. of Minneapolis, Minn., is revising the rating of 26,000 electric baseboard heater thermostats and recalling about 2,600 of the devices in the United States. The thermostats are used only on electric baseboard heaters. The thermostats were rated at a higher wattage than they are able to handle. If too much power runs through the thermostats, they can overheat, presenting a potential fire hazard.

In the United States, Honeywell has found 10 instances of thermostats overheating when connected to baseboard heaters using over 3000 watts. In two instances, the unit ignited, resulting in fire damage to the thermostat's casing and smoke damage to the surrounding wall. No injuries have been reported.

The electric baseboard heater thermostats were rated to a 3800 watt maximum, which is a higher wattage than they are able to handle. For thermostats connected to heaters above 2500 watts, Honeywell will send consumers a replacement thermostat rated to 5280 watts. For thermostats connected to heaters at 2500 watts and below, Honeywell will send consumers new labels to revise the maximum wattage to 2500 watts.

The thermostat carries the Honeywell brand name with model T4600 or CT1650. The thermostat also was sold under the King Chronolux brand name with model K4600S. The brand name is stamped on front of the unit, and the model number is located underneath the unit's snap-off front cover. The unit is rectangular in shape and it is white. It has a digital temperature display window near the top with four programming buttons arranged vertically below.

Home centers and hardware stores throughout the United States sold the thermostats between January 1996 and June 1998 for less than $80. The thermostats also have been installed in homes by contractors.

Consumers should stop using the electric baseboard heater thermostat, models T4600, CT1650 and K4600S, and call Honeywell toll free at (877) 575-4533 anytime to determine if their thermostat is involved in this recall. Honeywell will help consumers determine the wattage connected to the thermostat and provide help with any other problems.

Honeywell also sold thermostats in Canada. Canada is issuing its own recall announcement.

Remedy:

For thermostats connected to heaters above 2500 watts, Honeywell will send consumers a replacement thermostat rated to 5280 watts. For thermostats connected to heaters at 2500 watts and below, Honeywell will send consumers new labels to revise the maximum wattage to 2500 watts.

Consumers should stop using the electric baseboard heater thermostat, models T4600, CT1650 and K4600S, and call Honeywell toll free at (877) 575-4533 anytime to determine if their thermostat is involved in this recall. 

Incidents/Injuries:

In the United States, Honeywell has found 10 instances of thermostats overheating when connected to baseboard heaters using over 3000 watts. In two instances, the unit ignited, resulting in fire damage to the thermostat's casing and smoke damage to the surrounding wall. No injuries have been reported.

Sold At:
Home centers and hardware stores throughout the United States sold the thermostats between January 1996 and June 1998 for less than $80. The thermostats also have been installed in homes by contractors.
Recall number:
98-139

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About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

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