U.S. Boiler Company Recalls 2,500 Gas Hot-Water Boilers Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risk
U.S. Boiler, New Yorker Boiler, Advantage, FORCE, and Archer brand residential boilers pose a CO hazard at higher altitudes, CPSC says
U.S. Boiler Company has recalled about 2,500 residential gas-fired hot-water boilers under the brand names U.S. Boiler, New Yorker Boiler, Advantage, FORCE, and Archer due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning at altitudes above 5,400 feet.
If the vent system becomes blocked above that altitude, the blocked vent switch can fail to shut down the burners, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In that event, the boiler can emit excessive amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) into the home, posing a carbon monoxide poisoning hazard to consumers.
There have been no reports of incidents or injuries, according to the Lancaster, Pa.-based U.S. Boiler Company.
The recall involves about 2,500 boilers sold by Independent heating and plumbing contractors and wholesale distributors nationwide from February 2009 through November 2023 for between $2,000 and $4,000. The affected boilers are under several serial numbers (see details, below).
If you have one of the recalled boilers, immediately contact U.S. Boiler to receive a free repair, which includes a replacement of the main burner gas orifice and a replacement blocked vent switch if needed.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous 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.
CR does not test boilers but calculates reliability and owner satisfaction based on our member surveys. U.S. Boiler and New Yorker brand boilers received an excellent score for predicted reliability and a very good score for owner satisfaction in our latest survey in 2023.
Details of the U.S. Boiler Recall
The recall: It involves gas-fired residential boilers with brand names U.S. Boiler, New Yorker Boiler, Advantage, FORCE, and Archer. The boiler models below that are currently installed at an altitude of greater than 5,400 feet above sea level are part of this recall.
• U.S. Boiler ES2 models ES23, ES24, ES25, ES26, ES27, ES28, ES29 (with or without “-N” or “-P” suffix)
• U.S. Boiler Series 3 models 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309 (with or without “-N” or “-P” suffix)
The U.S. Boiler ES2 and Series 3 models are blue with a black top front and black vents on the front. The logo is located on the top front of the boiler.
• U.S. Boiler X-2 models X-202, X-203, X-204, X-205, X-206, X-207, X-208, X-209
The X-2 model has a solid teal color. The logo is located in the front middle of the boiler.
• New Yorker CG-E models CG30E, CG40E, CG50E, CG60E, CG70E, CG80E, CG90E
• New Yorker CG-F models CG20F, CG30F, CG40F, CG50F, CG60F, CG70F, CG80F, CG90F
The CG-E and CG-F models are solid green. The logo is located in the front middle of the boiler.
• Advantage AG models AG3, AG4, AG5, AG6
The Advantage models are gray with red sides. The logo is located in the front middle of the boiler.
• FORCE models FORCE02E, FORCE03E, FORCE04E, FORCE05E, FORCE06E, FORCE07E, FORCE08E, FORCE09E
The Force G-3 model is solid gray. The logo is located in the front middle of the boiler.
• Archer Boilers Lancer models LCR-2-038, LCR-3-068, LCR-4-102, LCR-5-136, LCR-6-170
The Lancer model is gray with a blue top. The logo is located in the front middle of the boiler.
The model and serial numbers are located on the boiler rating plate, which is on the top panel of the ES2 and Series 3 models, and on the inside vestibule (behind a removable door) on the right-side panel for X-2, CG-F, CG-E, AG, Force, and Archer models. All of the models are about 40 inches tall from the floor to the top of the jacket.
The risk: The blocked vent switch can fail to shut down the burners if a boiler is installed at an altitude above 5,400 feet and the vent system becomes blocked. In such an event, the boiler can emit excessive amounts of carbon monoxide into a home, posing a carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning hazard to consumers.
Incidents/injuries: None reported.
Where sold and when: Through independent heating and plumbing contractors and wholesale distributors nationwide from February 2009 through November 2023 for $2,000 to $4,000.
The remedy: If you have a recalled boiler installed above 5,400 feet, immediately contact U.S. Boiler to receive the free repair. U.S. Boiler can be reached toll-free at 888-432-8887 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday; via email at info@usboiler.net; or at usboiler.net. Go to the company’s recall page for more information.
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.
