The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·07108·Announced 2007-02-21

Rheem and Paloma Tankless Water Heaters Recalled for Carbon Monoxide Risk

Rheem and Paloma tankless water heaters are recalled because shifting components may cause carbon monoxide poisoning. No injuries have been reported.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (carbon monoxide poisoning) where injury has not yet been reported, which corresponds to a score of 3 (High) per the rubric.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling approximately 42,200 indoor Power Vent 199,900 BTUH tankless water heaters manufactured by the Water Heating Division of Rheem Sales Company Inc. The affected units were sold under the brands Paloma, Rheem, Ruud, Rheem-Ruud, and Richmond. These water heaters were sold nationwide through plumbing wholesale distributors to plumbers, contractors, and consumers from May 2004 through December 2006 for between $800 and $1,300.

The recall is due to a hazard where components inside the water heater may shift during transit, causing an air filter door switch to operate improperly. If the switch fails and the air filter door is out of place, the water heater could continue to operate, allowing dust and lint to build up. This condition poses a carbon monoxide poisoning hazard. The CPSC reports that no injuries have been reported in connection with this recall.

Consumers with the recalled water heaters should stop using them immediately if the air filter door is not in place. Consumers who have not already been contacted by an authorized contractor should immediately contact their installer or Rheem Manufacturing Company to arrange for a free, on-site repair. Consumers are reminded to use the air filter door for these water heaters to avoid a carbon monoxide hazard. For more information, consumers can contact Rheem toll-free at (866) 369-4786 or visit www.tankless-recall.com.

The recalled product

Product
Power Vent tankless water heaters
Manufacturer
Water Heating Division of Rheem Sales Company Inc., of Montgomery, Ala.
Category
Consumer Product — Water Heaters
Hazard
Affected units
42,200

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · carbon monoxide

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