Safety regulator, White-Rodgers Announce Recall of LP and Convertible Gas Water Heater Temperature Controls
Recall 04128 · Apr 28, 2004 · White-Rodgers, a division
88,000
units affected
88,000
units affected
Facts
- Recall number
- 04128
- Date
- Apr 28, 2004
- Company
- White-Rodgers, a division
- Units affected
- 88,000
- Product
- LP and Convertible Gas Water Heater Temperature Controls
- Product type
- Gas Water Heaters & Accessories
- Hazard
- Fire
The product
The temperature control is a small metal box located above the access panel door of the gas water heater. A white label with red lettering located on the right side of the control contains one of the following model numbers: 37C55U 658, 37C57U 602, 37C72U 520, 37C72U 546, 37C72U 547, or 37C72U 548, and 37C72U 676. There should be a four- digit metal stamped date code located below the label on the right side of the control. Recalled controls will have date codes 0240 to 0329 (40th week of 2002 to 29th week of 2003). Potentially affected gas water heaters include: AO Smith, Apollo, Crosley, Energysense, Freedom, Intertherm, Kenmore, Maytag, Mission, Myers, Penfield, President, Reliance, Sentry, or State. Beginning serial numbers on these gas water heaters can be checked at www.regcen.com/tempcontrolrecall
What can happen
The gas water heater controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, which can cause soot to build up on the water heater burner, presenting a fire hazard.
The fix
Contact White-Rodgers to arrange for a qualified service technician to replace the recalled control, free of charge.
Incidents and where it was sold
- Incidents
- White-Rodgers has received 12 reports involving soot build-up. Eight of these reports included minor fire damage.
- Sold at
- Retail distributors and independent servicers have sold and/or installed water heaters with the controls, from October 2002 through March 2004.
Related pages
Questions and answers
What should I do with the recalled lp and convertible gas water heater temperature controls?
Contact White-Rodgers to arrange for a qualified service technician to replace the recalled control, free of charge.
What is the hazard?
The gas water heater controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, which can cause soot to build up on the water heater burner, presenting a fire hazard.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data; texts are shortened. Contact the company named above for the remedy.