Richmond Water Heater Recalls
Richmond water heaters are manufactured by Rheem Manufacturing for the home improvement retail channel.
Richmond recall history at a glance
Richmond water heaters appear in 4 CPSC recalls on record, spanning 1981 to 2007. The hazards cited are fire or burn (2), carbon monoxide (1), and general safety (1).
The largest single action, recall 05274 from September 2005, covered about 178,000 units. The most recent is recall 07108 from February 2007. CPSC lists Robertshaw Controls and Unitrol as the manufacturers on these records. The remedies offered were a free repair or retrofit kit and a free replacement part or unit, at no cost to the owner.
2 of these 4 recalls covered Rheem, Ruud, Paloma, and American Water Heater units as well, because the same factory built them under more than one badge. Checking the Richmond name alone is not enough if your unit was rebadged.
How to find your Richmond model and serial number
Richmond water heaters are Rheem family units sold primarily at Menards and hardware stores. The rating plate is on the upper third of the tank, and the serial format is identical to Rheem and Ruud since all three brands come off the same lines. Look for SER NO. printed in black on the silver foil sticker.
Once you have the serial number, you can look up your Richmond water heater's age to pin down the exact manufacture date and compare it against the affected ranges above.
What to do if your Richmond water heater is affected
- Match the model and serial number on your rating plate against the affected ranges in the 4 recalls above.
- Richmond has a carbon monoxide recall on record, so if your unit falls in that range, stop using it and ventilate the space before you do anything else. Carbon monoxide is odorless and the CPSC treats these actions as urgent.
- Call the hotline listed in the recall notice. For recall 07108, CPSC published: For more information, contact Rheem toll-free at (866) 369-4786 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Saturday and Sunday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.tankless-recall.com
- Ask for the published remedy, which for these recalls is a free repair or retrofit kit and a free replacement part or unit. Recall remedies are free by law, including labor in most cases.
- Keep your model number, serial number, and the recall number handy, since the hotline will ask for all three.
Richmond recall FAQ
How do I know if my Richmond water heater is recalled?
Richmond water heaters are Rheem family units sold primarily at Menards and hardware stores. The rating plate is on the upper third of the tank, and the serial format is identical to Rheem and Ruud since all three brands come off the same lines. Look for SER NO. printed in black on the silver foil sticker. Compare what you find against the 4 recalls issued between 1981 and 2007 on this page. If your serial is not printed clearly, decode it with our free age checker first, because most of these recalls are defined by a build date range rather than by model alone.
When was the most recent Richmond water heater recall?
Recall 07108, announced February 2007: Tankless Water Heaters Recalled for Repair Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hazard. About 42,200 units were covered. A recall stays open indefinitely, so an older action still applies to a unit that was never remedied.
Which Richmond recalls involve carbon monoxide?
1 recall on this page cites a carbon monoxide hazard: 07108 (February 2007). Carbon monoxide from a gas water heater is odorless, so a working CO alarm near the unit matters even after the recall remedy is done.
Do these recalls also cover Rheem, Ruud, Paloma, and American Water Heater?
Yes. 2 recalls listed here were issued across more than one badge, covering Rheem, Ruud, Paloma, and American Water Heater alongside Richmond. The units came off the same line, so the affected model and serial ranges are what decide whether yours is included, not the name on the jacket.
Does a Richmond recall mean I have to replace the water heater?
Not necessarily. For these recalls the published remedy is a free repair or retrofit kit and a free replacement part or unit, and the manufacturer covers the cost. Replacement of the whole unit is only required when the notice says so.
Check your Richmond warranty coverage
See how long Richmond water heaters are covered and what the warranty includes.