CPSC, White-Rodgers Announce Recall of LP and Convertible Gas Water Heater Temperature Controls

The temperature control is a small metal box located above the access panel door of the gas water heater. A white label with red lettering located on the right side of the control contains one of the following model numbers: 37C55U 658, 37C57U 602, 37C72U 520, 37C72U 546, 37C72U 547, or 37C72U 548, and 37C72U 676. There should be a four- digit metal stamped date code located below the label on the right side of the control. Recalled controls will have date codes 0240 to 0329 (40th week of 2002 to 29th week of 2003). Potentially affected gas water heaters include: AO Smith, Apollo, Crosley, Energysense, Freedom, Intertherm, Kenmore, Maytag, Mission, Myers, Penfield, President, Reliance, Sentry, or State. Beginning serial numbers on these gas water heaters can be checked at www.regcen.com/tempcontrolrecall. Recalled by White-Rodgers, a division of Emerson Electric Co., of St. Louis, Mo.. Units affected: 88,000.

The gas water heater controls can gradually open instead of snapping open to full flow, which can cause soot to build up on the water heater burner, presenting a fire hazard.

Contact White-Rodgers to arrange for a qualified service technician to replace the recalled control, free of charge.

This recall was issued by the CPSC on April 28, 2004. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 04128.