Electric Baseboard Heater Thermostats Revised Rating & Recall by Honeywell
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 1998
Release # 98-139
Company Phone Number: 877) 575-4533 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
CPSC, Honeywell Announce Revised Rating and Recall of Electric Baseboard Heater Thermostats
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.