The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Rinnai America Corp. have announced a voluntary recall of Rinnai’s direct-vent wall furnaces, models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556, sold through wholesale distributors nationwide to contractors and dealers from February 2000 through December 2007 for between $1,600 and $1,900.

The models are fueled by either natural gas or LP gas (propane). A gasket in the unit can fail, posing a risk of poisonous carbon monoxide gas leaking into the home. Rinnai has received 11 reports of carbon monoxide leaking from the furnace, but no injuries have been reported.

The following model numbers are included in the recall:

• Model RHFE-431: FAIII-N, FAIII-P, WTA-N, WTA-P, WTA-72B-N and WTA-76B-N.

   

• Model RHFE-556: FAIII-N, FAIII-P, WTA-N and WTA-P.

The model number is printed on the top of the rating plate located on the right side of the unit. The recall includes only those units manufactured from February 2000 through December 2007. The manufacturing date code is the first four digits of the serial number, written as YY MM, and is located at the bottom of the rating plate.

Consumers should stop using the furnace immediately and contact the firm to arrange for the installation of a free repair kit. For additional information, contact Rinnai toll-free at 866/746-8344 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.wallfurnacerecall.com.

To see this recall on CPSC’s Web site, including pictures of the recalled products, go to www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08199.html.