The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall notice for Usines Giant Factories Gas Water Heaters with Emerson control valves. The heater’s Emerson control valves can fail to close properly, causing soot to accumulate on the burner, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to consumers. The problem can be solved with repair. The recall date is effective Nov. 3rd, and affects about 168 units sold in the US (about units 10,832 were sold in Canada).
The control valves are black with a white “Emerson” logo on the front. The Emerson control valve model numbers and date code are located on a label on the right-hand side of the bracket holding the Emerson control valve to the gas water heater. The recalled control valve model numbers are 37H73A-301P1 (natural gas) and 37H74A-301P1 (propane) with a date code between 1821 and 1839.
Consumers should immediately contact Usines Giant Factories, who will arrange to have the Emerson control valve replaced by a certified technician, and to receive a free replacement valve. Consumers who continue to use the water heaters while awaiting repair should have working carbon monoxide alarms outside of sleeping areas and on every level of the home.
While no incidents or injuries have been reported in the United States, Usines Giant Factories has received 20 reports of incidents with the Emerson control valves in Canada, including one report necessitating medical attention due to the release of carbon monoxide.
Concerned parties may contact Usines Giant at 800/363-9354 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET on Friday, or e-mail at [email protected]. or online at www.giantinc.com then click on “Recall Information” located at the bottom of the page, or click on https://giantinc.com/en/recall-information.