McQuay Recalls Air Conditioners/Heat Pumps Following Fires

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Remington and McQuay “ComfortPac” Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Units: About 8,800

Distributor: McQuay International, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Manufacturer: OYL Manufacturing Co., of Malaysia

Hazard: Wires in the heater element can overheat and spark, posing a smoke and fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: McQuay has received three reports of fires that caused property damage and four additional reports of smoke, smoldering, and/or charring. One incident led to two consumers being treated for smoke inhalation.

Description: The recall involves the Remington and McQuay “ComfortPac” Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP) commonly installed in hotels, nursing homes, and other commercial locations. These “B” and “B+” vintage electric heat units come in size 12 (12,000 BTU) and size 15 (15,000 BTU). The model numbers included in the recall are:

The model numbers are printed on the product identification plate, which is located underneath the front cover below the control box. The recalled units also have the following numbers on the power cord: 105575703 (208/230V) and 105575803 (265V).

Sold through: McQuay sales representatives and distributors nationwide from November 2001 through June 2006 for about $350.

Manufactured in: Malaysia

Remedy: McQuay has been directly notifying businesses. Building managers or owners who have not been contacted by McQuay should stop using the recalled units immediately and contact the firm for a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact McQuay at (800) 377-2787 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, send an e-mail to bob.welch@mcquay.com, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.mcquay.com