Furnace recall: some Rinnai wall furnaces leaked CO

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Council has issued a recall of a very common type of furnace in the Lakes Region. The recall affects Rinnai Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces, models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556, which were sold beginning in February 2000. The model number is printed on the top of the rating plate located on the right side of the unit.

The recall is being issued because of a gasket that has failed, leaking carbon monoxide into the home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause poisoning and death. Of the 52,000 units affected by the recall, Rinnai has received reports of 11 that leaked carbon monoxide. No injuries or deaths have been linked to the furnaces.

Fire Chief Ken Erickson said the furnaces have been very common in the region. The furnaces, which rest against a wall and vent directly into a room, are small, about two feet tall and a few feet wide, and less than a foot thick. Erickson said they're most common in cottages or breezeways, or structures that once had electric heat and the propane or natural gas heaters were seen as a less-expensive heating source.

If one of these units is in use, Erickson said the resident should "shut it off and contact the guy that installed it." Rinnai is offering a retro-fit kit that will address the issue at no charge to the consumer. The voluntary recall is a cooperative effort between Rinnai and the US Consumer Product Safety Council. To see the recall on the Safety Council's website, including photos of the product, see www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08199.html.

Rinnai's toll-free telephone number is 1-866-746-8344.