Heater Problem Is Deadly Serious

Q: In the process of selling a condo I own, it was noted that all six of the Cadet brand electric heaters should be replaced because they were "unsafe." The buyer is requesting that I pay for this. Obviously, I am not pleased. There are many rumors about safety out there. How seriously should this be taken?

A: In October 1997, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Cadet agreed to a recall of parts - black plastic thermal limit switches - in Cadet and Encore forced-air, in-wall, heaters series FW, FX, LX, and ZA. More recently, the CPSC has said that the above series, plus models TK, Z208, Z152, and Z202 "represent a substantial product hazard," and they want a total recall of 1.8 million heaters (not just a recall of the limit switches).

The CPSC maintains that the heaters, which were sold in six Western states, overheat from restricted airflow, can cause electric shock and have faulty internal parts and connections. CPSC is aware of 131 heaters that have emitted flames, sparks or smoke, and four related house fires.

Cadet Manufacturing, based in Vancouver, Wash., believes the heaters are safe if cleaned twice a year, flammable items are kept at least three feet away and the thermal limit switches are replaced.

Cadet is continuing to honor the 1997 thermal limit switch recall, although it will not pay for labor to replace the parts in the vast majority of circumstances, contrary to the original recall agreement. Cadet filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection recently, citing the costs of the recall and pending lawsuits.

Hutch Johnson, president of Cadet, said because all the manufacturers of electric forced-air, in-wall heaters use many similar parts, he foresees manufacturing changes coming in the entire industry.

Meanwhile, his company continues to negotiate with the CPSC on the terms and extent of a larger recall of the Cadet heater models listed above.

Cadet heaters are the dominant brand in the Western states and in my experience are installed in the majority of homes, apartments and condos with forced-air electric wall heaters in our area, which means thousands of local property owners could be affected. And I have seen one of these heaters shoot flames through the grille on initial startup.

How to check your heater

To identify your model: Turn the circuit breaker off and peer horizontally through the grille with a flashlight (remove the grille if necessary).

To clean: Turn the electrical circuit off and blow air down through the heating element from the top using a reversing vacuum, compressed air or canned compressed air (available at electronics stores such as Radio Shack). Suck the dirt up from the fan area with a vacuum and you're done. Regular cleaning is important in all heaters, Cadet brand and others, as well as any furnace! Any heater can catch fire with enough built up dust in it.

To determine if your FX or LX model heater heater has a newer limit switch installed:

Remove the grille and locate a screw at the top of the heater core assembly holding it to the wall. Remove the screw and tilt the heater from the wall. The limit switches are the size of a dime and have two wires attached. The exposed cap will be white (safe) or black (needs replacement).

For model ZA: Remove the grille and locate a metal bracket at the front of the heater with two wires coming from it - this is the limit switch. If this bracket is not installed in the front, remove the screw at the top of the heater and tip forward, peering through a small window at the limit switch casing. Again, black means it needs replacement.

FW models have been out of production for many years, and no replacement parts are available.

Cadet can be reached at 800-567-2613; www.cadetco.com

CPSC can be reached at 800-638-2772. Ask to be informed of any heater malfunctions. www.cpsc.gov

Ask The Expert answers readers' questions every Saturday. Send questions to Ask The Expert, Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111, or call 206-464-8514 to leave your questions on Ask The Expert's recorded line. E-mail address is dhay@seattletimes.com

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