Recall of 226,000 Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red-T Gas Furnaces Re-announced

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with the Unitary Products Group of York International has re-announced a voluntary recall of 226,000 Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red-T brand gas furnaces for manufactured homes, due to continued reports about the furnaces overheating and causing fires. The recall involves approximately 223,600 recalled which were sold in the U.S. and 2,400 in Canada.

This recall was first issued on November 15, 2004, when only 27 reports of overheating incidents with these furnaces had been reported. To date, 393 reports have been received by York International, including several reports of extensive property damage.

According to the CPSC, “the furnaces can overheat, causing heat-exchanger cracking, burn-through and, in extreme cases, furnace wrapper burn-through” which can lead to heating and possible burning of drywall and other combustibles adjacent to the furnace posing a fire and smoke hazard to consumers.

The Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T furnaces are “silver” with white access panels. The brand names Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T can be found on their front access panels. By removing both front access panels, the furnace’s model number can be located on a faceplate on the left inside surface of the furnace (behind the lower panel access panel). Furnace models involved in the recall are:

These furnaces were sold to be used in manufactured homes throughout the United States and in Canada from 1995 through 2000. Consumers should stop using the furnace until it has been inspected and repaired; and consumers should contact Unitary Products Group (UPG) of York International to arrange for inspection and repair of any recalled furnace listed in this recall.

Consumers may contact the UPG/York International company for additional information on the hazard involved with these furnaces and to answer any installation, inspection and repair questions, by calling toll-free 1(888) 665-4640 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday, or by going to the company’s website at www.dgatprogram.com. According to the CPSC, UPG Technical Services is also conducting a comprehensive notification and communications program and working with its distributors to locate owners of these furnaces.

To view a photo of these furnaces and the faceplate (with model number), please visit the CPSC website at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12102.html