In a news release Thursday, Honeywell International Inc. announced in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, that they are voluntarily recalling electric baseboard and fan heater thermostats due to a burn hazard.
According to the news release, the thermostats can overheat, causing them to melt and smoke and posing a burn hazard to consumers. Honeywell has received 16 reports of melting thermostats, but none of those reports included complaints of injury.
Approximately 77,000 thermostats are affected by the recall. The affected units are white, rectangular programmable thermostats that are used to control electric fan and baseboard heaters. The thermostats come in various sizes and have “Honeywell” or “Cadet” printed on the front.
The models being recalled are Honeywell model numbers CT1950A1003, CT1950B1002, CT1957A1008, T4700B1014, and T4700A1016, and Cadet model numbers T4700B1030 and T4700A1040. Only model numbers with date codes beginning with 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06 are affected by the recall. The model number and four-digit date code are printed on a label inside the front cover of the unit.
The thermostats were sold for $80 to $300 at home improvement and HVAC stores and from contractors between January 2000 and December 2007.
Consumers should stop using the recalled thermostats immediately by either turning the unit off or setting it to 45 degrees. Only thermostats with a “B” in the model number have an off-switch. Honeywell will replace and install the recalled thermostat for free.
As a Fresno personal injury lawyer, I want consumers to stay safe while staying comfortable in their homes. I encourage anyone affected by this recall to turn off the thermostat and get it replaced.