Temperature Tender automatic temperature setback controls
Check against the official notice below — it lists the full affected range.
Intermatic, Inc. is voluntarily recalling approximately 53,000 automatic temperature setback controls sold under the brand name "Temperature Tender" because an integral carbon resistor may overheat and start fires. The recalled units are models FS100 and FS1, which are off-white devices measuring approximately 1¾ by 3 inches that were manufactured between September 1976 and May 1978. Only units with a brown-colored carbon resistor (visible through a slot in the back) are affected. The units can be identified by checking the date code and model number on the back; affected date codes include 396-526, 017-327, 427-527, or 018-218. The setback controls were sold nationwide at retail prices of approximately $20 to $25 and were used to automatically adjust residential heating and cooling systems to conserve energy.
According to the recall notice, one fire has been attributed to failure of Intermatic's product, and 14 similar failures in other thermostat devices have caused 11 minor fires total, with no injuries reported. Approximately 3,000 units are believed to still be in consumers' possession. Consumers who own one of the recalled heating units should return it to their retailer for a full refund. Anyone needing assistance in determining whether their unit is being recalled should write to Department PAS, Intermatic Inc., Intermatic Plaza, Spring Grove, Illinois, 60081, or contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772.
Written by software from the official notice below. Not reviewed by a lawyer.
Fire & Fire-Related Burn
Energy-Saving Devices On Heating Units Recalled by Intermatic NEWS from CPSC U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 1979 Release # 79-040 Energy-Saving Devices Recalled WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 16) -- Intermatic, Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of electrical products in Spring Grove, Illinois, is voluntarily recalling the heating units from approximately 53,000 automatic temperature setback controls, the Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced. The units are being called back because of an integral carbon resistor which may overheat and start fires. Approximately 3,000 of the units are believed still to be in consumers' possession despite the firm's attempts to recall the product since October, 1978. The setback controls were sold as a two-piece kit under Intermatic's private label, "Temperature Tender." The kit includes the heating unit and an electric timer, which enable residential heating and cooling systems to operate automatically at pre-set temperatures in order to conserve energy. They were sold at retail prices of approximately $20 to $25 nationwide. Commission staffers have been informed of 14 unit failures causing 11 minor fires in similar thermostat control devices. In conversations with CPSC staff, Intermatic officials have said that they are aware of one fire resulting from failure of their product. No injuries have been reported. Subject to the recall are the models FSl00 and FSl "Temperature Tender" heating units. The units are an off-white color and measure approximately 1% by 3 inches. They were manufactured between September, 1976 and August, 1977, and between November, 1977 and May, 1978. The faulty units bear a manufacturer's date code within the following range: 396 through 526, 017 through 327, 427 through 527, or 018 through 218. A date code of 396, for example, designates manufacture during the 39th week of 1976. The date code and model number are on the back of the unit. In addition, only those units containing a brown-colored carbon resistor (visible through the key-hole slot in the back) are being recalled. Units with a resistor of another color are not subject to the recall, even though they may bear a date code which corresponds to one listed above. Consumers who own one of these heating units should return it to their retailer for a full refund. Anyone who needs assistance in determining whether their unit is being recalled should write to Department PAS, Intermatic Inc., Intermatic Plaza, Spring Grove, Illinois, 60081. To check date codes and model numbers, consumers should contact CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800/638-2772.
Official record: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ↗
Republished from the official source above; details can change — the source record controls.