Carrier Corp. and the Consumer Product Safety Commission announce an expansion of a recall for packaged terminal air conditioners and heat pumps sold under the Bryant, Carrier and Fast brand names by HVAC dealers and factory-direct sales from January 2002 through December 2009 for between $425 and $675.

The power cord plug can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Carrier received reports of approximately 47 incidents of overheating. Two of the reported incidents involved hotel fires. One of the reported fires involved a consumer suffering burns and smoke inhalation. The other incidents involved scorched or melted cord heads or wall outlets with no injuries reported.

Consumers should stop using and unplug the recalled units, and contact Carrier to receive a free replacement cord — at 800/761-8492 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.carrier.com and click on Important Product Safety Recall for more information.

Recalled units (about 285,000) include those with original power cords and those that received a supplemental power cord as part of the November 2007 recall (about 185,000). The recalled units have capacities of 7,000, 9,000, 12,000 and 15,000 Btu and plug into 208/230 volt, 20 amp outlets.

The following brands and eight models are being recalled:
• Carrier models 52CE, 52CQ, 52PE and 52PQ;
• Bryant models 840 and 841; and
• Fast models 840 and 841.

Model and serial numbers are located on the ratings/data plate on the right front of the unit, underneath the removable front panel. A complete list of the serial numbers involved in this recall is available by calling Carrier or at www.carrier.com.

Click here for photos of the recalled products.