The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·15025·Announced 2014-11-13

Venmar Air Exchangers Recalled Due to Fire Hazard from Overheating Motors

Venmar Ventilation is expanding a recall of air exchangers because the motors can overheat and cause fires. Consumers should stop using the units and contact the manufacturer for a free repair.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with 30 reported incidents resulting in over $1.1 million in property damages, which meets the rubric criteria for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' under the Severe (4) classification.

Plain-English summary

Venmar Ventilation Inc. is expanding a recall of approximately 108,000 air exchangers in the United States and 207,000 in Canada. The recalled units, which include models with and without heat recovery, were sold nationwide at heating, plumbing, and building supply distributors between January 2002 and July 2009. The metal units are painted blue or grey and feature brand and model information on a label or rating plate.

The recall is being issued because the motor in the air exchangers can overheat, posing a fire hazard. Venmar Ventilation has reported 30 total incidents related to this defect, including 26 from previous recalls and four new reports associated with this expansion. All 30 incidents resulted in fires and more than $1.1 million in property damages, with five incidents occurring in the U.S. and 25 in Canada. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should immediately turn off and stop using their air exchangers. They should contact Venmar Ventilation toll-free at (866) 441-4645 or visit www.venmar.ca to request a free inspection and repair by a Venmar field technician.

The recalled product

Product
Air exchangers
Manufacturer
Venmar Ventilation Inc., of Quebec, Canada
Category
Consumer Product — HVAC / Air Exchangers
Hazard
Affected units
108,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same manufacturer · Venmar Ventilation Inc., of Quebec, Canada

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Same hazard · fire

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