Crown Boiler Gas Boilers Recalled Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risk
The venting system on these heating appliances can malfunction at certain altitudes
Crown Boiler Company has recalled 1,100 gas boilers, warning that a venting system malfunction in units installed above an altitude of 2,000 feet can result in a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says. Consumers who own one of the recalled boilers are advised to contact the company for a free repair and to take precautions against CO exposure until their boilers are fixed. No injuries have been reported in connection with the faulty boilers.
The recall involves Crown Boiler Aruba IV (AWR Series) boilers fueled by liquid propane or natural gas that are configured for use at altitudes above 2,000 feet. According to the CPSC, a blocked vent switch can fail to shut down the boiler if the vent system becomes blocked. As a result, the boiler can emit excessive amounts of carbon monoxide. The boilers were sold nationwide from July 2012 through December 2023.
CR does not test boilers but does calculate reliability and owner satisfaction based on our member survey. Crown received an excellent score for predicted reliability and a very good score for owner satisfaction in our latest survey in 2023.
The Crown Boiler action follows a similar recall involving 2,500 residential gas-fired boilers by U.S. Boiler, which is owned by the same parent company as Velocity Boiler Works, the sole marketer of Crown Boilers. The Crown boilers were not included in the prior recall, which also involved a potential malfunction of the venting system at a high altitude, but above 5,400 feet.
Details of the Crown Boiler Recall
The recall: It involves Crown Aruba IV (AWR Series) hot water boilers using liquid propane or natural gas. It only includes boilers configured for use at altitudes above 2,000 feet. The boilers are red and gray and stand 39.5 inches high. A "Crown" logo appears on the upper front-center of the unit.
Recalled boilers can be identified by model number. The model number is located on a large white label on the side of the boiler. The name Aruba IV does not appear on the label.
Model numbers cited in the CPSC notice include: AWR070BLST3P8U, AWR105BLST3P8U, AWR140BLST3P8U, AWR175BLT3HU1, AWR070BLT3HU1, AWR105BLT3HU1, AWR140BLT3HU1, AWR175BNST3P8U, AWR070BNST3P8U, AWR105BNST3P8U, AWR140BNST3P8U, AWR175BNT3HU1, AWR070BNT3HU1, AWR105BNT3HU1, AWR140BNT3HU1, AWR175ELST2P8U AWR070ELST2P8U, AWR105ELST2P8U, AWR140ELST2P8U, AWR175ENST2P8U, AWR070ENST2P8U, AWR105ENST2P8U, AWR140ENST2P8U, AWR210BNST3P8U, AWR245BLST3P8U, AWR280BNST3P8U, AWR210BNT3HU1, AWR245BLT3HU1, AWR280BNT3HU1, AWR210ELST2P8U, AWR245BNST3P8U, AWR280ELST2P8U, and AWR210ENST2P8.
Four additional models, including AWR245BNT3HUI, AWR245ELST2P8U, AWR245ENST2P8U, and AWR280ENST2P8U, are listed on the company’s safety notice.
The risk: The unit’s blocked vent switch can fail to shut down the burners if the vent system becomes blocked at an altitude over 2,000 feet. This can result in the release of excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, posing a CO poisoning risk.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill humans and animals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 400 Americans die from accidental CO poisoning every year, and about 100,000 end up in emergency departments.
Incidents/injuries: None reported.
Where sold and when: The boilers were sold by heating and plumbing contractors and wholesale distributors nationwide from July 2012 through December 2023 for $2,000 to $4,000.
The remedy: Owners of the recalled boilers should immediately contact the company for free replacement of the main burner gas orifice and, if needed, free replacement of the blocked vent switch. You can contact Crown Boiler through its exclusive distributor, Velocity Boiler Works, at 888-583-5624 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday; via email at AKP@velocityboilerworks.com; or through the online recall notice.
If you continue to use your boiler while awaiting a repair, be sure you have working CO detectors outside of sleeping areas and on each floor of your home. Review the CPSC’s guidance on how to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning.
To report a defective product, call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772 or go to SaferProducts.gov.
