All homeowners who have reason to believe that their furnaces may be malfunctioning, whether included on recall lists, or not, are advised by consumer groups to have their furnaces checked regularly and contact the manufacturers for more information, before using the units.
Because of the nature of furnaces, a recall mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that notes a serious fire hazard, is taken very seriously by consumers. Many fires caused by faulty furnaces have been directly attributed to negligence on the part of the manufacturing company.
In response to new laws in California regarding emissions, one furnace company, Consolidated, fitted bars over the flame area, known as “Nox” rods, to reduce emissions of the gas. Unfortunately these rods contributed to furnaces overheating to the extent that some models had flames escaping through the cracks that formed when the metal furnace was distorted by intense heat. These flames set fire to surrounding materials such as the wooden supports that contained the furnaces’ drywall materials and insulation in crawl spaces, as they were often installed in places inaccessible for easy inspection.
The gas-fueled furnaces affected were horizontal units also installed in attics, where the malfunction could not be discovered until a considerable amount of damage had taken place, risking life and property. Some homeowners described the terror of being awoken by flames breaking through their ceilings and barely having time to safely evacuate the house before the fire took hold of all the upstairs rooms, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage.
On inspection of the units by esters, it was clear this measure to meet new laws was a hasty addition and not well tested. This gave the customers who took part in the class action lawsuit valuable information which helped them succeed in receiving a favorable verdict.
One of the deadliest hazards present in homes, carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless gas with no smell to alert people of its presence. Furnaces have systems designed to safely vent carbon monoxide to the outside of a home, where it can dissipate in the air. A furnace which leaks carbon monoxide, such as the one featured in the Consolidated Inc. case, is a silent killer, because those present in a home may suffer symptoms over a period of months without identifying the source.
The poisoning which results is exacerbated by a lack of fresh air in a home, as doors and windows are more likely to remain closed due to cold or hot weather, and sufferers often attribute the symptoms to influenza and remain at home, further exacerbating the problem. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
A recommendation that all homes contain carbon monoxide alarms, which are similar in appearance and function to smoke alarms, has recently become a mandatory requirement in some states.
When a product such as a furnace is recalled, the manufacturing company will usually offer one of several solutions. The first and most popular with consumers is the offer to replace the unit, or provide the equivalent value in cash towards the purchase of a new furnace. The second is a partial refund, often the resort of a company in financial trouble from problems arising from the recall. Other measures, used where a small or less-significant part is found faulty, include offering free inspections of furnaces and kits to eliminate the problems.
If a company wishes to dispute its liability in the case of accidents and injuries, a court case will result involving large amounts of customers and the relevant government agencies in an attempt to reach a settlement agreed to by all involved. These measures may or may not satisfy a customer, who has experienced a fire in their home or been without heating during winter months. Consumers may then take legal action, separately, or as a group, in an attempt to recoup additional losses.
In a case regarding Carrier and Bryant Condensing Furnaces, the issue was simply that the furnaces did not last as long as they were advertised to last. The issue was remedied by replacement parts and extended warranties.
Unfortunately not all cases are so easily resolved. The serious issue of fire risks and carbon monoxide gas leaks from faulty furnaces has involved certain companies in lengthy and costly legal battles with consumers and the CPSC. Consumer watchdog groups say this can act as a deterrent to manufacturers who are tempted to cut corners in the design, making and installation of furnaces, in the future.
Furnaces are a basic household appliance needed in nearly every state in the U.S. Many homeowners pay little attention to their furnace, except to turn them on and off. To keep the furnace in top operating condition throughout the typical 20 to 30 year life span, it is necessary to know what the correct maintenance procedures are and how to tell if the furnace is running in a way that indicates a problem has developed. Consumers should refer to instruction manuals or contact the manufacturers with any questions, including requests for inspections based on recalls.
If consumers are in doubt as to the safety of their furnaces, the CPSC operates a hotline for information and lists all its product recalls on the home Web site. Since a furnace has potential to cause serious health issues, if malfunctioning, all homeowners are recommended by the CPSC to carry out basic furnace maintenance and conduct frequent assessments performed by certified heating contractors, each year before using their heating systems.