Update: Air exchangers sold under various brand names recalled due to a fire hazard
Summary
Immediately turn off the air exchanger and contact the manufacturer as soon as possible.
Affected products
This recall involves air exchangers with and without a heat recovery device sold under different brand names that are used to circulate air inside and outside the home. This November 2024 update is not a new recall but is a reminder of a previously posted December 2019 recall notice. Consumers should consult the company website to determine if their product is affected by the recall.
Air exchangers included in this recall were manufactured from January 2002 to July 2009, and their brand name and model number are featured on the unit's nameplate or on its side.
Brand name |
Model number |
|---|---|
Venmar, Venmar AVS, Venmar |
30XXX, 4XXXX, |
Carrier, Bryant |
VA3AAXXXX, VB5AAXXXX, VC5AAXXXX, VL3AAA0XX, |
Day & Night, Payne |
HRVBBLHAXXXX, HRVBBLHUXXXX, HRVBBLVUXXXX, |
Heil |
HRV XX5 XRC |
Rheem, Rudd, Protech, |
84-XRVX00 |
Sears |
OPTIMUM |
York |
5263554X000 |
vänEE, Husch |
160XXXX, 43XXX, 45XXX, 48405 |
Maytag, Frigidaire, Tappan, |
91871X |
Issue
A safety device on the equipment designed to shut off the power supply in the event of overheating may not work, thus posing a fire hazard.
Update: As of October 11, 2024, the company has received over 32 reports related to these air exchangers in Canada, and no reports of injuries.
What you should do
Consumers who own a unit covered by the recall and who have not received the current limiting-adapter device should immediately turn off the air exchanger. Consumers should apply online to the Safety Upgrade Program by clicking on the following link in English, Safety Upgrade Program in French, Programme d'amélioration de la sécurité (PAS).
Venmar will either send consumers a current-limiting adapter device free of charge or, for certain air exchanger models, arrange to send a technician to upgrade the equipment in question, at no cost. The current limiter does not extend the useful life of the product and will not prevent a product from breaking down. This is a second level of protection to ensure that an overheated motor does not cause a fire. When an air exchanger reaches the end of its useful life, it is normal that its motor overheats, makes noise and emits smoke. The function of the integrated safety device and the current limiter is to shut off the power supply before any overheating causes a fire.
Please note that the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits recalled products from being redistributed, sold or even given away in Canada.
Health Canada would like to remind consumers to report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product or any other consumer product or cosmetic by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.
This recall is also posted on the OECD Global Portal on Product Recalls website. You can visit this site for more information on other international consumer product recalls.
Additional information
Previous recalls or alerts
Background
Number Sold
The company reported that 207,000 units of the affected products were sold in Canada.
Time Period Sold
The affected products were sold from January, 2002 to December, 2009.
Place of Origin
Manufactured in Canada
Details
Manufacturer
Venmar Ventilation Inc.
Drummondville, Quebec
Canada
History
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