Attic Fan Recall Impacts 2.9M Electric Motors Linked to Fires

Electric motor malfunctions on certain attic fans have led to reports of at least 159 fire incidents.

Nearly 3 million gable- and roof-mounted attic fans sold at Lowe’s and other retailers nationwide are being recalled, due to concerns that the fan’s motor could short circuit while in use, increasing the risk of a fire.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the Air Vent attic fan recall on August 28, citing problems with specific electric motor models used in gable and roof-mounted installations. 

Attic fans are a kind of ventilation device that is installed to regulate temperature and improve air circulation in unfinished attic spaces. They work by drawing hot air out of the attic and replacing it with cooler outside air, helping to reduce attic temperatures and potentially lowering cooling costs.

According to federal regulators, certain models of attic fan motors may short circuit while in use due to a faulty safety cutoff, potentially leading to combustion and attic fires that could result in burns, injuries, or even death for those inside the home.

Although the CPSC has not yet received any reports of injuries, there have been reports of at least 159 incidents involving the fans burning or catching fire.

The affected fans were distributed by Air Vent, and include model numbers:

• DOW-136-0-34-XIN
• DOW-136-0-26-XIN
• DOW-136-0-40-XIN
• DOW-136-0-40-XIN-3/4”
• D-RE-PSC-127/20-4P1SP

The fans can be identified by their distinctive vent pattern on the motor end bells, which is a component covering the end of the fan’s electric motor. The recalled fans’ vents use an alternating pattern of two long vents and two short vents, which align only on the outer ring of the fan’s motor end bell. An example is shown below from the CPSC recall notice:

Unaffected fans’ motor vents will use a pattern of one long vent followed by a short vent, and align on the inner ring of the motor end bell.

The recalled fans were sold from August 2003 through December 2013 at various national distributors and wholesalers, including ABC Supply, Lowe’s and Beacon for about $74 to $92.

Customers who have the fans in their possession should immediately stop using them and contact Air Vent for a refund by filling out the online registration and verification form with photos of the fan’s recalled motor.

Air Vent can be reached online at https://powermaxmotorrecall.expertinquiry.com or at https://gibraltarbuildingproducts.com/ventilation-category/, where concerned customers should click on “Important Safety Information.” The distributor can also be reached by phone at 877-247-4878 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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