HVAC TECH GROUP

White Rodgers Recalls Thermostats Due to Fire Hazard Created by Leaking Batteries

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers with an affected thermostat should contact WhiteRodgers to receive instructions on the corrective action.

Name of Product: Programmable thermostats

Units: About 740,000 in the United States and 403,000 in Canada

Manufacturer: WhiteRodgers of St. Louis, Mo.

Hazard: Leakage from the “AA” alkaline batteries used in the thermostat can result in a shorting of portions of the printed circuit board which may present a potential fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm is aware of seven incidents, including two involving minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves WhiteRodgers programmable thermostats with model numbers 1F80-04xx, 1F83-04xx, 1F85-04xx, 1F86-04xx and which do not show a battery icon on the thermostat screen. As shown in the pictures below, the potentially affected models can be identified by the battery door on top of the thermostat and the 3 or 4 buttons to the right of the thermostat screen. The potentially affected thermostats have one of the following names printed on the front of the thermostat: “Emerson,” “WhiteRodgers,” DICO,” “COMFORTSENTRY,” “Frigidaire,” “Maytag,” “Nutone,” “Partners Choice,” “Rheem,” “Ruud,” “Unico,” “Water Furnace,” “Westinghouse,” or “Zonefirst.” Thermostats that show the battery icon are not affected and require no action. All thermostats with date codes after the 50th week of 2013 are not affected.

Distributed by: The thermostats were sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers and distributors. Distributors sold them to HVAC contractors who, in turn, sold and installed them into consumer’s homes. Thermostats were also sold to hardware retailers who sell to consumers for the Do-It-Yourself market. The thermostats were sold between January of 2006 and December of 2013 for between $28.00 and $67.00, depending on the model and year of sale.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should check to see whether they have one of the affected models. This recall only affects models that do not show a battery icon on the thermostat screen. If you have an affected model, please contact WhiteRodgers to receive instructions on the corrective action.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact WhiteRodgers toll-free at (888) 624-1901 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.test.com