CPSC recall 04-122, announced April 20, 2004, covers Trane and "American Standard" brand accessory electric heaters (about 37,000 units). Overheating of the wiring in the accessory heater can lead to wall thermostat fires. The notice cites 4 incident reports. Consumers who have not yet been contacted by independent dealers should immediately contact their installer to determine if they have a recalled unit. Recall contact: call (888) 556-0125, or go to www.americanstandardair.com.
Compare the model on your label, then check any serial numbers, date codes, and exclusions in the notice. A model match alone does not confirm that your unit is included.
Affected model numbers
The accessory heater - model number BAYHTR1415BRKAC manufactured between April 14, 2003 and February 6, 2004 - is located inside the air handler cabinet usually found in the basement, attic, equipment closet or crawlspace of a consumer's home.
Which products are included?
Read the full CPSC product description and restrictions
The 240-volt accessory heaters are used to provide supplemental heat in the heat pump or electric heating system. The accessory heater - model number BAYHTR1415BRKAC manufactured between April 14, 2003 and February 6, 2004 - is located inside the air handler cabinet usually found in the basement, attic, equipment closet or crawlspace of a consumer's home. The horizontally or vertically installed air handler is a painted metal cabinet with the Trane or American Standard name plate on its front. Air handler model numbers are found on the outside of the air handler door. Consumers with one of the recalled units are being directly contacted by the independent dealer that installed it. If you had a Trane or American Standard heat pump or electric heating system installed between April 2003 and February 2004, and have not yet been contacted by your installer, write down your air handler model number and call your installer to see whether your air handler could contain a recalled heater. You may also visit the firm's website to see whether your air handler could contain one of the recalled heaters and, if so, call your installer. To avoid electric shock, do not open the air handler door. Only a professional installer should open the air handler door to determine if you have a recalled accessory heater.
Why it was recalled
Overheating of the wiring in the accessory heater can lead to wall thermostat fires.
Incidents and injuries
There have been four reports of thermostat fires. Two of the fires resulted in several thousand dollars in property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Official remedy
Consumers who have not yet been contacted by independent dealers should immediately contact their installer to determine if they have a recalled unit. Consumers may arrange for a free inspection and repair through their installer.
Product and sales details
- Brand
- American Standard
- Manufacturer
- American Standard Companies, of Piscataway, N.J.
- Product type
- Space heaters
- Recall number
- 04-122
- Units
- About 37,000
- Manufactured in
- United States
- Sold at / sales period
- Independent Trane or American Standard dealers nationwide for about $140.
Trane and "American Standard" brand accessory electric heaters
CPSC product type: Electric Heaters
Recall contact information
Consumers should contact their local Trane or American Standard installer, or www.americanstandardair.com for the name of an installer near them. Consumers can call the firm toll-free at (888) 556-0125 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
Verify phone numbers, hours, and websites on the current CPSC notice before contacting the firm.
Know someone who has one?
Recalls only work when owners hear about them. Send this notice to family or friends who might own the same product.
