Rinnai gas heater safety recall

fatlazyless · 02-27-2008, 09:19 AM

Today's Feb 27 www.citizen.com has a short article 'NH Fire Marshall calls heaters a serious danger.' Gas heaters made by Rinnai and sold between February 2000 & December 2007 have a safety problem that may release carbon monoxide fumes. Over 50k sold nationally, about 2500 sold in NH. Call 866-746-8344 for info.

Gee whiz, and I have like three different Rinnai's all self-installed and running very good.....quiet....clean....reliable.....thifty.... and hot!

SAMIAM · 02-27-2008, 10:46 AM

Thanks for the tip.....I've got one of those puppies. I called Lakeside Plumming (who installed it) and they said they'd get right on it. Always had good luck with them.

GWC... · 02-27-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Today's Feb 27 www.citizen.com has a short article 'NH Fire Marshall calls heaters a serious danger.' Gas heaters made by Rinnai and sold between February 2000 & December 2007 have a safety problem that may release carbon monoxide fumes. Over 50k sold nationally, about 2500 sold in NH. Call 866-746-8344 for info.

Gee whiz, and I have like three different Rinnai's all self-installed and running very good.....quiet....clean....reliable.....thifty.... and hot!

That would explain the questionable posts...

fatlazyless · 02-28-2008, 08:57 AM

Yes, you know my carbon monoxide alarm did go off back in December, while I was out of the house, for an unexplained reason. I assumed it was due to my charging up a boat battery that I had forgot to remove from the battery charger, and had been charging for like 12 hours which is way too long.

Once, using MinWax wood stain inside the house also set off the carbon monoxide alarm. Another time, lawn mower exhaust fumes blowing in through an open window set it off.

Propane is stored in the tank as a liquid, and changes to a gas at the regulator before it is used by the Rinnai heater. For safety purposes, I think propane should be considered to be very similar to gasoline, a volatile and explosive liquid or gas.

Skip · 02-28-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

...For safety purposes, I think propane should be considered to be very similar to gasoline, a volatile and explosive liquid or gas.

...

Less, your grasp of the obvious is simply amazing!

fatlazyless · 02-28-2008, 09:18 AM

Well, gee whiz Skip, every time someone fills up their car, the smell of gasoline reinforces its' danger, but with propane as it is used in a home, it is totally odorless. I bet you there's plenty people who incorrectly do not lump propane and gasoline in the same category, and they are very similar.

Skip · 02-28-2008, 09:31 AM

Let's make something clear lest someone gets confused here.

Gasoline is easily detected in an open environment because of its odor, as Less has indicated.

Propane gas itself is also easily detected because of a chemical additive that gives it a characteristic "rotten egg" smell.

A byproduct of the combustion of both products is carbon monoxide. It is this gas that is colorless and odorless and not readily detectable.

The recall we are talking about references a possible leaky gasket that allows combustion gasses (including CO) to leak into the home, possibly causing death to occupants.

To a lesser but just as fatal extent, other popular heaters that utilize kerosene and even your trusty old oil burner can easily vent CO gas into a living space if a failure in the burner or vent/chimney system occur.

Its short money to equip your home or camp with a CO detector or combination CO/fire alarm. No living space that uses gas or oil or kerosene should be without one!

SteveA · 02-28-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

To a lesser but just as fatal extent, other popular heaters that utilize kerosene and even your trusty old oil burner can easily vent CO gas into a living space if a failure in the burner or vent/chimney system occur.

Excellent points. My oil burner is "vented" to bring fresh air to the burner, with all of the snow packed around your house, be sure any vents you have are cleared. Even your clothes dryer vents.

And, get yourself a CO2 detector... I'm sure Less can tell you how much they cost at WalMart

Weirs guy · 02-28-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveA

...with all of the snow packed around your house, be sure any vents you have a cleared...

Reminds me of a story, the short version of which is that its very hard for drunk teenagers to figure out why the furnace won't run during a blizzard...

I wonder if this recal will add more concerns to those who don't trust direct vent units.

Dave M · 03-04-2008, 08:54 AM

An option. I bought a Dynavent(40,000btu's) 35 years ago and its just now showing wear around the lighter hole in front. I heat a 24X32 well insulated camp and use it until the first snow comes and when snow is finally off the drivewway. Haven't any problems with this heater. Suburbanaire is a direct replacement.

Dave M

02-27-2008, 09:19 AM	#1
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,734 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,005 Times in 733 Posts	Rinnai gas heater safety recall Today's Feb 27 www.citizen.com has a short article 'NH Fire Marshall calls heaters a serious danger.' Gas heaters made by Rinnai and sold between February 2000 & December 2007 have a safety problem that may release carbon monoxide fumes. Over 50k sold nationally, about 2500 sold in NH. Call 866-746-8344 for info. Gee whiz, and I have like three different Rinnai's all self-installed and running very good.....quiet....clean....reliable.....thifty.... and hot! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

02-28-2008, 08:57 AM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,734 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,005 Times in 733 Posts	Yes, you know my carbon monoxide alarm did go off back in December, while I was out of the house, for an unexplained reason. I assumed it was due to my charging up a boat battery that I had forgot to remove from the battery charger, and had been charging for like 12 hours which is way too long. Once, using MinWax wood stain inside the house also set off the carbon monoxide alarm. Another time, lawn mower exhaust fumes blowing in through an open window set it off. Propane is stored in the tank as a liquid, and changes to a gas at the regulator before it is used by the Rinnai heater. For safety purposes, I think propane should be considered to be very similar to gasoline, a volatile and explosive liquid or gas. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

02-28-2008, 09:18 AM	#6
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,734 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,005 Times in 733 Posts	Well, gee whiz Skip, every time someone fills up their car, the smell of gasoline reinforces its' danger, but with propane as it is used in a home, it is totally odorless. I bet you there's plenty people who incorrectly do not lump propane and gasoline in the same category, and they are very similar. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

02-28-2008, 09:31 AM	#7
Skip Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 1,615 Thanks: 256 Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts	Propane versus Gasoline Let's make something clear lest someone gets confused here. Gasoline is easily detected in an open environment because of its odor, as Less has indicated. Propane gas itself is also easily detected because of a chemical additive that gives it a characteristic "rotten egg" smell. A byproduct of the combustion of both products is carbon monoxide. It is this gas that is colorless and odorless and not readily detectable. The recall we are talking about references a possible leaky gasket that allows combustion gasses (including CO) to leak into the home, possibly causing death to occupants. To a lesser but just as fatal extent, other popular heaters that utilize kerosene and even your trusty old oil burner can easily vent CO gas into a living space if a failure in the burner or vent/chimney system occur. Its short money to equip your home or camp with a CO detector or combination CO/fire alarm. No living space that uses gas or oil or kerosene should be without one!

03-04-2008, 08:54 AM	#10
Dave M Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 395 Thanks: 4 Thanked 26 Times in 24 Posts	option An option. I bought a Dynavent(40,000btu's) 35 years ago and its just now showing wear around the lighter hole in front. I heat a 24X32 well insulated camp and use it until the first snow comes and when snow is finally off the drivewway. Haven't any problems with this heater. Suburbanaire is a direct replacement. Dave M

02-27-2008, 10:46 AM	#2
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,891 Thanks: 334 Thanked 1,673 Times in 584 Posts	Thanks for the tip.....I've got one of those puppies. I called Lakeside Plumming (who installed it) and they said they'd get right on it. Always had good luck with them.