Water heaters recalled by Rheem, American Standard for fire hazards
Rheem issued a recall May 26 on its Rheem Performance Platinum brand of electric water heaters in 40-, 50- and 80-gal. capacities due to fire and burn hazards caused by the overheating of control panels. Water Heating Technologies Corp. issued a recall May 24 on its American Standard brand of gas water heaters in 30-, 40- and 50-gal. capacities due to a fire or explosion hazard caused by a space between the burner flange and the combustion chamber.
Rheem Performance Platinum recall
The Rheem recall is for 54,000 of its Performance Platinum brand of electric water heaters (40-, 50- and 80-gal.) sold exclusively at Home Depot locations nationwide and online from January 2014 through April 2016 for between $450 and $720. The control panel on the water heaters can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. The firm has received 296 reports of control panels overheating, including one report of a fire which resulted in $5,800 in property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Consumers should immediately turn off and stop using the recalled water heaters, and contact Rheem to request a free repair by a Rheem field technician. Call toll-free at 866/369-4786 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, or visit www.rheem.com/recalls.
The recalled water heaters are gray and have the “Performance Platinum” Rheem logo decal on the front above the thermostat control panel. The water heaters have a rating plate near the bottom of the unit with the model number, date of manufacture and serial number. Recalled water heaters have the following model number and have a serial number within the following ranges:
• Model number XE40M12EC55U0: Serial number ranges A0114XXXXX to A5214XXXXX, M0114XXXXX to M5214XXXXX and Q0114XXXXX to Q5214XXXXX with date code 01Jan2014 – 21Dec2014; serial number A0515XXXXX with date code 30Jan2015; and serial number range A1015XXXXX to A1615XXXXX with date code 03Mar2015 – 13Apr2015.
• Model number XE50M12EC55U0: Serial number ranges A0114XXXXX to A5214XXXXX, M0114XXXXX to M5214XXXXX and Q0114XXXXX to Q5214XXXXX with date code 01Jan2014 – 21Dec2014; serial number A0515XXXXX with date code 30Jan2015; serial number range A1015XXXXX to A1615XXXXX with date code 03Mar2015 – 13Apr2015.
• Model number XE50T12EC55U0: Serial number ranges A0114XXXXX to A5214XXXXX, M0114XXXXX to M5214XXXXX and Q0114XXXXX to Q5214XXXXX with date code 1Jan2014 – 21Dec2014.
• Model number XE80T12EC55U0: Serial number ranges A0114XXXXX to A5214XXXXX, M0114XXXXX to M5214XXXXX and Q0114XXXXX to Q5214XXXXX with date code 1Jan2014 – 21Dec2014.
American Standard Water Heaters recall
This recall is for about 14,400 American Standard brand gas water heaters (30-, 40- and 50-gal.) sold by plumbing contractors nationwide from May 2015 through February 2016 for between $400 and $820. The water heaters have a space between the burner flange and the combustion chamber that allows flammable liquids or gases to contact burning flammable vapors inside the combustion chamber, posing a risk of fire or explosion. No injuries or incidents have been reported.
Consumers should immediately stop using the gas water heaters and call to arrange for a service technician to inspect, repair or replace the water heater free of charge. Call toll-free at 888/883-0788 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.americanstandardwaterheaters.com/recall.
The model numbers included in the recall begin with GN and GSN. The water heaters are white with an “American Standard” logo printed on the front. The model number is printed on a label on the side of the water heater. Recalled models and serial numbers manufactured from June 2015 to February 2016 are:
• Model number GN: Serial numbers starting with F15, G15, H15, J15, K15, L15, M15, A16 and B16.
• Model number GSN: Serial numbers starting with E15, F15, G15, H15, J15, K15, L15, M15, A16 and B16.
