December
14, 2001
TruHeat
Corp., of Allegan, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 142,000 spa heaters
sold with Hot SpringŪ and Tiger RiverŪ spas. The spa heaters have an internal
electrical connection that can overheat and ignite the heater and spa, posing a
fire hazard. TruHeat has received 192 reports of the heaters on these spas
failing, and 22 reports of these incidents resulting in fire damage outside the
heater or spa.
These are No-FaultŪ 6000 model spa heaters sold with Hot SpringŪ and Tiger
RiverŪ spas. The spa brand name is written on the control panel. The spa heater
brand name and model number are on a label on the side of the heater. The spa
heater is located behind a removable panel on the front of the spa. Read the
owner's manual for instructions on turning off power to the spa before
accessing the spa heater. This recall only includes spas installed in 220-volt
applications. Independent spa dealers nationwide sold spas with these heaters
from January 1997 through January 2001. The price for these spas is between
$4,000 and $9,000.
TruHeat is contacting its customers about this recall and providing them
with a free insulation kit. Consumers who have not been contacted should
immediately call the TruHeat Response Hotline at (800) 858-2122 between 8 a.m.
and 8 p.m. ET, any day of the week, to determine if their spa heater is part of
this recall. To avoid all risk of an incident pending receipt of an insulation
kit, consumers are advised to shut off their heaters until a kit is installed.
If the spa is in a location where it is exposed to freezing temperatures and
the heater is shut off (pending receipt of a kit), the spa should be drained
according to the owner's manual to prevent damage to the spa by freezing water.
TruHeat Media Contact: Daniel R. Gravelyn 616-752-2000