WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), six companies have announced a voluntary corrective action program to repair or replace certain furnaces manufactured by Consolidated Industries, Inc. that were sold in California under their brand names. The units involved are gas-fired horizontal furnaces equipped with steel "Nox" rods installed above the burners and are commonly called Nox rod furnaces. The CPSC issued a Safety Alert that some of these furnaces present a risk of fire. The program offers free inspection and repair of the furnaces. Consumers may, as an alternative, elect to receive a new furnace, free of charge except for installation costs. In addition the companies will repair related property damage as necessary. The participating companies believe that, for consumers electing to receive a new furnace, the installation costs will be recouped through energy cost savings.

Consolidated Industries, which is being liquidated under Chapter 7 bankruptcy laws, manufactured approximately 190,000 of these furnaces for sale in California between 1983 and 1994 under as many as 30 different brand names. CPSC has received about 50 reports of fires and/or overheating associated with these furnaces. No injuries have been reported. Most of the furnaces were manufactured and distributed under the Premier/Consolidated labels and all furnaces can be identified by the fact that they are equipped with steel rods installed above the burners. These steel rods were required to satisfy California air quality regulations for nitrogen oxide emissions.

The companies participating in this voluntary corrective action program sold approximately 30,000 of these units in California. The corrective action plan does not cover any of the Premier/Consolidated branded furnaces, or units labeled by other private labelers. However, there is an ongoing private litigation by which California consumers are seeking to recover costs associated with repair of any property damage alleged to have been caused by Consolidated-manufactured furnaces sold under other brands.

Consumers should first identify the brand name plus the model and serial numbers of their furnace then determine whether they have one of the furnace models listed below. The brand name, model and serial number are written on a label on the outside panel of the furnace. If they find their brand and model number on the list below, they should contact http://www.furnaceinspect.com or call toll free (877) 347-6456 to arrange for a free inspection. When making one of these contacts, consumers should provide the brand name of their furnace, and its model and serial numbers. Consumers should also provide their name, address and telephone number. Consumers with one of the affected units and who provide this information will be contacted shortly thereafter to arrange for a free inspection as well as the repair or replacement of their furnace. Consumers can also review the September 27, 2000 CPSC Alert and January 25, 2001 Update on these furnaces by going to http://www.cpsc.gov for further information.

The companies participating in this voluntary corrective action program are Amana Company L.P., Bard Manufacturing, Carrier Corporation, Geottl Air Conditioning, Goodman Manufacturing Company L.P., and the Trane Company, Which sold the furnaces in California under the following brand names and model numbers:

Contact http://www.furnaceinspect.com or call toll free (877) 347-6456 to arrange for a free inspection NOW.