American Standard Water Heater Recall Issued Over Fire, Explosion Risk

Nearly 15,000 gas water heaters are being recalled due to a potentially dangerous design, which may allow contact between flammable substances and burning vapors, posing risk of fires or explosions. 

An American Standard gas water heater recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on May 24, after the manufacturer identified the water heaters have a space between the burner flange and the combustion chamber that could allow flammable liquids and gases to contact the burning vapors in the combustion chamber.

Although no injuries or complaints of property damage have been reported, consumers are being asked to stop using the gas water heaters immediately. In the event of a gas leak, an ignition source could cause the tank to explode, endangering those nearby and potentially causing severe structural and fire damage.

The recall includes an estimated 14,400 American Standard gas water heaters with 30, 40, and 50 gallon capacities. The tanks are marked with model numbers beginning with the code “GN” and have serial numbers starting with F15, G15, H15, J15, K15, L15, M15, A16 and B16 and “GSN” with serial numbers starting with E15, F15, G15, H15, J15, K15, L15, M15, A16 and B16. The outside of the tanks are white and have the “American Standard “logo printed across the front. Model numbers and product information is printed on a label located on the side of the tank. For a full list of gas water heaters included in the recall please visit the American Standard recall notice.

The recalled gas water heaters were manufactured in Mexico under Water Heating Technologies Corporation of Pomona, California. They were sold nationwide by plumbing contractors from May 2015 through February 2016 for between $400 and $820.

Customers are being asked to verify if their gas water heater is included in the recall and to shut them off immediately and contact Water Heating Technologies at 888-883-0788 to arrange for a service technician to inspect, repair or replace the water heater free of charge.