Recall: York International Recall of Gas Furnaces

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 15, 2004 Release # 05-047

Firm's Hotline: (888) 665-4640 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC, York International Corp. Announce Recall of Gas Furnaces

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the manufacturer named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Gas furnaces

Units: About 226,000

Manufacturer: The Unitary Products Group (UPG) of York International Corp., of York, Pa.

Hazard: These furnaces can overheat, causing heat-exchanger cracking, burn-through and, in extreme cases, furnace wrapper burn-through. This can lead to heating and possible burning of the drywall and other combustibles adjacent to the furnace, which poses a fire and smoke hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: UPG has received 27 reports of fires, some resulting in extensive property damage that could be related to these hazards. There have been no injuries reported.

Description: The recall involves Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T brand furnaces. The furnaces are a silver color with white access panels. The "Coleman," "Coleman Evcon" and "Red T" brand names are located on the middle of the front access panel. These model furnaces with model numbers listed below are included in the recall: The model number is written on a nameplate, found by removing both front access panels. The nameplate is found mounted on the left inside surface behind the lower panel.

Sold at: These furnaces were sold nationwide between 1995 and 2000 under the brand names of Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T as original equipment in manufactured homes and as replacement furnaces in manufactured homes.

Manufactured in: Wichita, Kan.

Remedy: Consumers should not use the heating function of these furnaces until it has been inspected and repaired. Consumers should contact UPG to schedule a free inspection and repair of any furnace involved in the recall.

Consumer Contact: For more information, call UPG toll-free at (888) 665-4640 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit their Web site at www.dgatprogram.com. UPG Technical Services is also conducting a comprehensive notification and communications program and working with its distributors to locate owners.

Firm's Media Contact: Helen Marsteller at (717) 771-7451