Recall: White-Rodgers Recall of LP and Convertible Gas Water Heater Temperature Controls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2004 Release # 04-128

Firm's Hotline: (800) 426-3579 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

CPSC, White-Rodgers Announce Recall of LP and Convertible Gas Water Heater Temperature Controls

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: LP and Convertible Gas Water Heater Temperature Controls

Units: 88,000

Manufacturer: White-Rodgers, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo.

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.

Incidents/Injuries: White-Rodgers has received 12 reports involving soot build-up. Eight of these reports included minor fire damage.

Description: 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

Sold at: Retail distributors and independent servicers have sold and/or installed water heaters with the controls from October 2002 through March 2004.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Contact White-Rodgers to arrange for a qualified service technician to replace the recalled control free of charge.

Consumer Contact: Call White-Rodgers Special Project Office at (800) 426-3579 or visit their web site at www.regcen.com/tempcontrolrecall