Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system problems

 

It has been brought to the attention of the City of Oak Grove Fire Chief that homes with heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems manufactured by Venmar Ventilation Inc. may be at risk of fire. The thermal protector in the motors of these systems can fail and pose a potential fire hazard. If a heat recovery ventilator overheats and starts on fire, it can spread to other nearby combustibles and cause substantial damage to a home, including putting homeowners at risk.

HRV’s are part of many newer home heating, cooling, and ventilation systems and are usually located close to the ceiling of the furnace room. The HRV is a metal box connected to several air ducts and typically supplied by a normal electrical plug. The HRV is designed to remove moist, stale air from homes and provide replacement fresh air from outside. The exact number of these units is not exactly known but could be present in many of the newer homes constructed.

Residents should do an inspection of their furnace room to determine if they have an HRV, double check the make and model and call the number below if they suspect their HRV is recalled.  Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug their ventilators and contact Venmar to receive instructions on how to participate in the recall. Venmar Ventilations, Inc. is providing a free power plug adaptors for consumers to use with their unit. The adapter will not stop a unit from overheating but is designed to shut down power to the unit when it does overheat.

Certain HRV models produced and installed between 1991 and 2001, and between October 2006 and August 2007 are affected. While Venmar manufactured these models, to date, the affected units were identified with the following brand names:

                                    Aston                                       PrepAir

                                    Broan                                       Protech

                                    Bryant                                      Rheem

                                    Carrier                                     Ruud

                                    Conformax                               Sears

                                    Day & Night                             Vane

                                    Flair                                         vänEE Brand

                                    Guardian by Broan                   Venmar AVS

                                    Heil                                          Weatherking

                                    NuTone                                    York Brand (standard model)

                                    Payne                                       Venmar

 

    

Homeowners with Venmar HRV systems manufactured and installed during the above periods should immediately turn off and unplug their unit. Homeowners should then contact Venmar at 1-866-441-4645, or at www.venmar.ca to determine if their unit is affected.

 

With the cold winter months quickly approaching, I would like to ask residents to please inspect their HRV systems to determine if it is part of this recall.  I would also like to take a moment to remind everyone that it is also a good time to have your furnace inspected and tuned up before winter arrives.  The technician would be checking for any CO2 issues when doing the furnace inspection.  Lastly, please remember to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly to be assured they are working properly. If you would like to speak to a representative from the fire department please call 763.404.7000.

 

Respectfully

 

Curtis Hallermann

Fire Chief