Is There a Monster in Your Attic? If your furnace was recalled for safety issues there is!

In 2000 the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a furnace recall of over 140,000 units, 30,000+ of which had already been sold and installed in California homes between 1983 and 1992, citing that “These furnaces pose a substantial risk of fire.” The gas-fired horizontal furnaces were manufactured by Consolidated Industries (Consolidated has since filed bankruptcy) and distributed under the brand names Consolidated, Weatherking, Premier, Sunburst, Goodman, Amana, Bard, Johnstone, American Standard and several private labels*. (*this list is not comprehensive and other brand names may be subject to the recall)

Is Your Home At Risk For A Fire?

During the course of routine repair and maintenance calls, AC Cool technicians have already identified several of these dangerous units among the million dollar homes in the hills of Yorba Linda as well as the Westpark Town Home community in Irvine, CA and Rockinghorse Ridge in Orange. These furnaces were commonly installed by tract home builders, so where there’s one there’s a significant likelihood of there being more in the area.

Faulty NOx Rods Initiate Furnace Recall for Consolidated, Premier, and Other Brands in California

These heaters can be easily identified by the steel NOx rods (metal bars) above the burners and are typically located in attics, but a few may be installed in crawl spaces. At least 50 reported house fires have been determined to be a direct result of these faulty NOx rods as well as numerous reports of less devastating burn damage to the areas surrounding the units.

In a rush to design and distribute a furnace that met new stricter California emissions, the NOx rod style furnaces were not adequately tested before they were released to the public. The NOx rods are located too close to the firebox and cause the metal to overheat and become very brittle and susceptible to cracks. Once the heat exchanger or expansion joints are compromised, the air can either be pushed across the burners causing flame rollout or, even worse, it can push the flames down creating a blow torch effect, cutting through the base of the furnace and igniting the platform. They also pose a serious and potentially life-threatening carbon monoxide hazard if CO2 is drawn into the cracks and holes mixed with the supply air and distributed back out into your home.

Contact A Licensed HVAC Contractor for Inspection of Your Unit

Although the deadline to file class action suit claims or seek other restitution has long since passed for nearly every brand**, the CPSC strongly advises homeowners to have a licensed HVAC contractor inspect and replace these dangerous systems immediately! (**exceptions may include some Goodman, Amana and Johnstone models – refer to the CPSC website or Client Settlement websites)

What Can You Do to Protect Your Home and Family?

• If your furnace was installed between 1983 and 1992 you should identify the manufacturer immediately.
• The make, model, and serial number are usually (not always) on a label or placard on the upper right side of the outside panel of the unit.
• If you determine that your heater may be a recalled model or if you are unable to access it yourself to confirm, please have it inspected by a licensed HVAC contractor immediately.
• DO NOT CONTINUE USING YOUR FURNACE if you suspect or confirm that it’s a recalled model. Even if it’s been running fine for years, the older it gets, the higher the risk of failure and fire.
• You can consult the CPSC website for further details and confirmation, then call AC Cool to schedule your inspection and FREE REPLACEMENT ESTIMATE.

At AC Cool, Inc. We Find Solutions for All Your Heating and Cooling Needs

If your California home Furnace is a part of this recall involving Consolidated, Weatherking, Premier, Sunburst, Goodman, Amana, Bard, Johnstone, American Standard and several private labels, schedule your inspection today!

Faulty furnaces of any variety can present a serious danger to your health and home. NEVER put off inspections, maintenance, repairs or replacement – contact your favorite HVAC contractor (that’s where AC Cool comes in!) to inspect, assist and advise you with all of your heating and cooling needs!

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