Gas water heaters recalled due to CO hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall notice for Usines Giant Factories propane and natural gas water heaters equipped 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 (CO) poisoning to consumers.

About 168 units were sold in the U.S, and about 10,832 were sold in Canada.

The recall involves propane and natural gas water heaters in 40-, 50- and 75-gallon capacities. The recalled water heaters are white with a red “Giant” logo decal on the front. The water heaters have a nameplate near the Emerson gas control valve with the following model number ranges: UG40-38LFPV2-P1U-US; UG40-40LFPV2-N1U-US; UG50-38LFPV2-P1U-US; UG50-38LFPV2-P2U-US; UG50-38TFPDV1-N2U-US; UG50-40LFPV2-N1U-US; UG50-40LFPV2-N2U-US; UG75-76MEPV1-N2U-US and UG75-76MEPV1-P2U-US.

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, which will arrange to have the Emerson control valve replaced by a certified technician. 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, according to the CPSC.

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. No reports were made in the U.S.

The units were sold at BGM Supply in Utica, New York; Central NY Plumbing & Heating Supply in Whitesboro, New York; and Maryland Pipe & Supply Co. in Hancock, Maryland from June 2018 through July 2020 for between $840 and $2,100.

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