FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2009
Release #09-104 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 577-3960
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
|
Rheem Recalls to Repair Oil-Fired Furnaces Due to Fire 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: Rheem, Ruud and United Refrigeration Oil-Fired Furnaces
Units: About 14,000
Manufacturer: Air Conditioning Division of Rheem Manufacturing Co., of Fort Smith, Ark.
Hazard: If the furnace is not properly wired, the oil burner can continue to operate when the blower shuts off, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Rheem has received one report in which the furnace was incorrectly wired. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
Description: This recall involves oil-fired furnaces sold under the Rheem, Ruud and United Refrigeration brands. Only the models beginning with the model numbers listed in the chart below and with date codes ending in 0106 through 5206, 0107 through 5207, or 0108 through 4808 are included in this recall. The model number and date code (designated by the four digits following an “M” in the middle of the serial number) are printed on the unit’s rating plate, which is on the left wall of the furnace’s interior just above the burner. The rating plate can be found by opening the unit’s burner access door, which has slotted openings.
| Model # | Brand & Description |
| ROBF |
Rheem Classic/Ruud Achiever High Efficiency Upflow Oil Furnace |
| ROPF |
Rheem Classic/Ruud Achiever High Efficiency Downflow/Horizontal Oil Furnace |
| TZOUP |
United Refrigeration “Thermal Zone” Upflow Oil Furnace |
| TZODH |
United Refrigeration “Thermal Zone” Downflow/ Horizontal Oil Furnace |
Sold by: Contractors nationwide to consumers from January 2006 through December 2008 as part of installed systems for between $1,500 and $10,000.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact the contractor who installed the oil furnace to arrange for a free inspection and repair, if necessary.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rheem at (800) 577-3960 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.rheemac.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 significant 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.