Cadet Electric Heater Manuals, Contact &
US CPSC Notice of Cadet or Encore Electric In-Wall Heater Safety Recall

POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about electric in-wall heaters & heater safety & about the Cadet or Encore electric wall heater CPSC notice & product recall

This article explains the safety recall of Cadet™ and Encore™ in-wall electric heaters, giving identifying photographs, model numbers, years of manufacture, and fire hazard or electrical hazard description. We include general safety warnings about electric in-wall heaters that may affect other heater brands and models as well.

Encore electric wall heater recall: model list, photographs;

US CPSC Cadet / Encore wall heater recall information, list of model numbers, years of manufacture of electric wall heaters found to be unsafe; Copy of Cadet Encore wall heater CPSC administrative action "complaint"; Copy of Cadet Encore wall heater consent decree and actions;

Field report of Cadet wall heater failure, kudos to responsive Cadet Manufacturing, Cadet wall heater thermostat switch add-on and wiring.

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Cadet Electric Heater Manuals &
US CPSC Cadet In-Wall Heater Safety Recall

Cadet and Encore brand in-wall electric heaters have been recalled and are considered unsafe - the model numbers and identification information are located in the CPSC notice shown below.

However, as J. Simmons, a licensed electrician in Washington, points out, basic maintenance can cause any electric heater to become unsafe.

In the photo shown here Mr. Simmons documents a completely blocked wall mounted heater air intake.

Watch out: Anyone using an electric heater, particularly these wall-mounted types whose inlet screen is not readily visible, should check their heater intake for blockage with lint or debris as shown here.

Article Contents

CADET ELECTRIC HEATER MANUALS & MODEL IDENTIFICATION - company contact & free PDF downloads of manuals
CADET HEATER MANUALS & CADER / ENCORE HEATER RECALL - US CPSC recall of older model electric heaters

When an electric heater's air intake becomes blocked, the heater will overheat and can present a serious fire hazard. (This is a variation on the electric or gas fueled clothes dryer fire hazard - lint blocks the air flow and the appliance overheats.)

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2002
Release # 03-030 Cadet Recall Hotline: (800)567-2613
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051

CPSC Reminds Consumers to Check for Recalled Cadet In-Wall Heaters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to examine their in-wall electric heaters to determine if they are among the 1.9 million Cadet and Encore brand heaters recalled in February 2000.

Although the Cadet Manufacturing Co. heaters were sold and distributed primarily in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington from about 1978 through 2000, some of the heaters were sold in other states. A four-year old boy died on September 14, 2002, in Alexandria, Va., when one of the recalled Cadet heaters allegedly was involved in a house fire.

CPSC strongly urges consumers to stop using these heaters and have them replaced if they have one of the recalled models. Consumers who had their heaters repaired under Cadet's original program in 1997 still need to get their heaters replaced. Consumers are advised to contact the Cadet informational Hotline or visit their website www.cadetco.com for where to buy replacement heaters.

Cadet Heater Recall Identification Photos

Quoting from the 1999 Complaint:

... pertains electric in-wall heaters for use in homes and residences under the brands "Cadet" and "Encore", all models and variants within each model of the series FW (manufactured between 1978 and 1989) and series FX models (1984-1995), and series LX heater models (1984-1995), series TK heater models (1986-1998), ZA model wall heaters (1984-1995), "first generation Z heater models (1993-1997), and/or all series and models "of the same or functionally identicla heaters manufactured and distributed by Cadet under the Endore brand.

"Product Defect: The heaters within [Cadet or Encore] series FW, FX, LX, TK, ZA and/or the same or functionally equivalent Encore brand heaters, are defective because their design causes the heaters to overheat, fail, and catch fire; and/or allow lint, dirt, or debris to [enter] within the heaters and catch fire.

The heater design can also cause the heaters to spew flames and/or burning or molten particles, or eject sparks into the living space of a home or residence, or energize the heaters creating a risk of electric shock." [Note: this is an incomplete quote and does not describe all of the heaters or defects concerned. Please see the original document linked-to above.- Ed.]

The following models of Cadet and Encore brands were involved in the February 2000 recall:

Cadet & Encore Heater Recall List [Click to Enlarge Any Image]
Cadet Heater Model FW	Cadet Heater Model FX
Cadet Heater Model LX	Cadet Heater Model TK
Cadet Heater Model RA	Cadet Heater Model RK
Cadet Heater Model RLX	Cadet Heater Model RX
Cadet Heater Model RW	Cadet Heater Model Z
Cadet Heater Model ZA	Cadet Heater Model ZC

Location of Cadet Heater Recall Model Information - How to Identify a Recalled Cadet Electric Heater

The brand and model are located on a label on the front of the heat box, behind the grill.

Before removing the grill to check the identification label, consumers must turn off the power supply to the heater at the electrical panel board (circuit breaker or fuse box). If power is not turned off, consumers risk electrocution.

Cadet Heater Failure Description

CPSC alleged that these Cadet and Encore brand in-wall electric heaters are defective and can overheat and catch fire. Flames, sparks, or molten particles can spew through the front grill cover of the heater into the living area of a residence, putting consumers at risk from fires, including burn injuries, smoke inhalation, and property damage.

The heaters and their grills also can become energized, creating a risk of electric shock.

CPSC is aware of more than 320 reports of heaters that smoked, sparked, caught fire, emitted flames, or ejected burning particles or molten materials. These incidents have allegedly resulted in four deaths, two serious burn injuries and property damage claims exceeding $4.3 million, which includes six partial or total house fires.

In January 1999, CPSC filed a lawsuit against Cadet to compel it to recall the heaters. Cadet filed for bankruptcy the same month.

Working with the company and its creditors, on February 17, 2000, CPSC and Cadet announced a settlement of the lawsuit and a recall of the heaters. Cadet agreed to make new heaters available to Cadet owners at significantly reduced prices. However, due to Cadet's bankruptcy, the opportunity to obtain discounted heaters expired on February 17, 2002.

Since the heaters pose a fire hazard until they are replaced, consumers should have at least one fully operational smoke detector on every floor of their home, especially near bedrooms. To ensure that the detector's batteries are working, test the detector every month.

Consumers also should have a well-defined and rehearsed escape plan and an alternate escape plan in the event of a fire.

These recommendations and more are covered in

YOUR HOME FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST [PDF] available free here or also from the US CPSC. You can also have a free copy mailed to you by writing to CPSC, Washington, D.C. 20207.

For more information about the recall, contact Cadet's informational Hotline at (800) 567-2613 anytime or visit the firm's website at www.cadetco.com

Send the link for this page https://InspectAPedia.com/heat/Cadet_Encore_Heater_Recall.php to a friend!

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.

Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children.

The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

How to Report Dangerous Products to the US CPSC

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's website at SaferProducts.gov

To report an unsafe product, contact the CPSC Hotline at 800.638.2772

Cadet Wall Heater Field Report of Failure, Product Improvements, Repair Details

Question: How Have the Cadet Wall Heater Safety Concerns Been Corrected

Due to a tendency to restart in the off position, I just learned recently that the Cadet in-wall heater I'd had in my home for many years had been found to be dangerous and been recalled in 2000. My question now is: How have the replacements changed, or how have they tested out, and are they safe ? Since my house is now a two-unit apartment building, I have the extra obligation to keep my tenants safe, since I will not be there to be watchful. I would not consider a Cadet replacement were there not a need for the new one to fit the original wall-opening.

Since I removed the heater and no longer live in the apartment, I can't give you in-place photos; However, I can say it was mounted about 2 feet up from the floor on a plain wall well away from any combustibles or any dust-contributing factors.

The times when I opened it up, even though it was always clean and dust free, except for a very light film on the fan-blades which wiped off easily, I vacuumed it out, cautious of the delicate nichrome wires.

The model was Cadet FX-101 and you can see it above or on their website at cadetco.com, or (maybe with the new number) at cadetelectricheat.com. You can also find a long list of the recalled heaters and their replacements. - M.B.

Discussion:

While it's possible that the restart in off position problem you describe could have been caused by prior overheating, it could also be simply a failed switch - if so that may be a component not addressed by recalls. Any details you can add may be helpful. You should also report your experience to the US CPSC.

Changes in Cadet Wall Heater Design

Follow up from M.B.: I contacted the company to try to get an answer as to what had been changed, and for a while heard nothing, but the company's customer service rep (Trisha Zufelt, Customer Service ) did eventually answer me, mentioning that current units have newer style heating elements and over temperature limits (manual reset instead of automatic reset, forcing customers to investigate why the unit is overheating).

How to Be Sure your Cadet Wall Heater is Turned OFF - Add-On Thermostat/Switch

But she also advised me that if I want an actual shut-off, I need to install a double-pole thermostat in the replacement heater I buy.

This was interesting to me, because I've always assumed that a thermostat, acting as it shuts off when it's turned way back beyond any possible temperature impulse, had a shut-off position. Trisha gave me the information I need, and has been helpful, answering numerous letters.

I also got a layout of how to wire-in the thermostat, and am pleased that the company is so forthcoming. You can find it yourself on their website, titled "Wiring Diagrams Single Pole T1 and Wiring Diagrams Double Pole T2". The lower left one would work for me, with the replacement heater #CS101.

Find the WALL HEATER THERMOSTAT WIRING INSTRUCTIONS [PDF] retrieved 12/06/2010, original source; http://www.cadetco.com/support/accessories/ownersguides/67064.pdf

References on Cadet Encore Heater Recall

Cadet Manufacturing Company, Cadet Manufacturing Company, 2500 West Fourth Plain Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98660 or mailing address: Cadet Manufacturing Company PO Box 1675 Vancouver, WA 98668-1675. Website: http://www.cadetco.com/ .

The company's website provides information about their heating products, parts, and service and product warranty information.
CADET WALL HEATER THERMOSTAT SWITCH WIRING INSTRUCTIONS [PDF] Retrieved 12/06/2010, original source; http://www.cadetco.com/support/accessories/ownersguides/67064.pdf
Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Licensed Electrician, 360-705-4225 Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, Olympia, Washington
CADET MANUFACTURING CO. RECALL OF IN-WALL ELECTRIC HEATERS (MODELS RM AND ZM), 14 October 2004 [PDF] web search 11/19/2010, original source: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml02/02531.html
CADET MANUFACTURING CO. RECALL OF IN-WALL ELECTRIC HEATERS (MODELS RM AND ZM), 14 OCTOBER 2004 [PDF] - web search 11/19/2010,original source: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml00/00070.html. Excerpts quoted just below:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Cadet Manufacturing Co., of Vancouver, Wash., announced today the recall of more than 1.9 million Cadet and Encore brand in-wall electric heaters, distributed mainly in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

This recall announcement follows t

the RESOLUTION of the LAWSUIT [PDF] filed by CPSC staff against the company on January 14, 1999.

CPSC alleges that the following Cadet and Encore brand in-wall electric heaters are defective and can overheat and catch fire:models

FW, FX, LX, TK, ZA, Z, RA, RK, RLX, RX, RW, and ZC.

Flames, sparks or molten particles can spew through the front grill cover of the heater into the living area of a residence, putting consumers at risk from fires, including burn injuries, smoke inhalation and property damage. The heaters also can become energized creating a risk of electric shock.

CPSC is aware of more than 320 reports of heaters that smoked, sparked, caught fire, emitted flames, or ejected burning particles or molten materials. These incidents have allegedly resulted in three deaths, two serious burn injuries and property damage claims exceeding $1.2 million, which include five partial or total house fires.

The heaters that are part of today's recall announcement are the following

models of Cadet and Encore brands: FW , FX, LX, TK, ZA, Z, RA, RK, RLX, RX, RW and ZC

The brand and model of these Recalled Cadet Heaters are located on a label on the front of the heat box, behind the grill.

Before removing the grill to check the identification label, consumers must disconnect the power supply to the heater at the circuit breaker. If power is not disconnected, consumers risk electrocution and shock.

Cadet is offering consumers replacement heaters at a significantly reduced cost. Each heater will cost between $25 and $57, depending on the model. Consumers who already have replaced the recalled units from October 23, 1997, until today can file a claim for partial reimbursement for $25 per heater.

Consumers must register to participate in this recall by February 17, 2002. To register, contact Cadet anytime at (800) 567-2613 or at http://www.cadetco.com/upgrade_program.php#recall.

CPSC routinely requires companies to pay the full costs associated with recalls. In this case, Cadet has recently emerged from bankruptcy and is unable to provide free replacements or full reimbursements.

In October 1997, Cadet recalled its model FW, FX, LX and ZA heaters to replace defective over-temperature black plastic limit switches. By December 1997, Cadet informed CPSC that it could no longer pay the full costs of the recall, and that the number of heaters involved were far greater than it had originally known.

While attempting to resolve the problems with the limit switch recall, the CPSC staff discovered additional problems with the heaters involved in the 1997 recall, as well as problems with some other Cadet and Encore models. In addition to the switch defect, the heating elements and internal wiring connections are defective and can fail. Even if consumers have had the heaters' switches repaired, the heaters have additional problems and need to be replaced.

CPSC strongly urges consumers to participate in this recall. Since the recalled heaters pose a fire hazard until they are replaced, consumers should have at least one fully operational smoke detector on every floor of their home, especially near bedrooms.

To ensure that the detector's batteries are working, test the detector every month. Consumers also should have a well-defined and rehearsed escape plan and an alternate escape plan in the event of a fire. You can get information about this

from YOUR HOME FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST [PDF] or http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/556.html - text version. To obtain a free hard copy of this publication, write to CPSC, Washington, D.C. 20207.

CADET ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE [PDF] Note: This notice has been superceded by two more recent releases, which can be found at the CPSC website and also shown in the two recall notice links just above - web search 1/12/1999, original source: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml98/98017.html

COMPLAINT: CADET MANUFACTURING COMPANY AND THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION, [PDF] 14 January 1999, - web search 11/19/2010, original source: http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia99/compliance/cadet.pdf - pertains electric in-wall heaters for use in homes and residences

under the brands "Cadet" and "Encore", all models and variants within each model of the series FW (manufactured between 1978 and 1989) and series FX models (1984-1995), and series LX heater models (1984-1995), series TK heater models (1986-1998), ZA model wall heaters (1984-1995), "first generation Z heater models (1993-1997), and/or all series and models "of the same or functionally identical heaters manufactured and distributed by Cadet under the Endore brand.

"Product Defect: The heaters within [Cadet or Encore] series FW, FX, LX, TK, ZA and/or the same or functionally equivalent Encore brand heaters, are defective because their design causes the heaters to overheat, fail, and catch fire; and/or allow lint, dirt, or debris to [enter] within the heaters and catch fire.

The heater design can also cause the heaters to spew flames and/or burning or molten particles, or eject sparks into the living space of a home or residence, or energize the heaters creating a risk of electric shock." [Note: this is an incomplete quote and does not describe all of the heaters or defects concerned. Please see the original document linked-to above.- Ed.]

CONSENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE US CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION AND THE CADET MANUFACTURING COMPANY, CPSC Docket No. 99-1, 6/17/1999 consent12.doc - web search 11/19/2010, original source: http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia00/fedreg/cadet.pdf

Cadet Electric Heater Manuals

Contact: Cadet Heaters, Glen Dimplex Americas, Location address (not provided by the company's website)

Web: https://www.cadet.glendimplexamericas.com/en-us

Email: technicalsupport.vancouver@glendimplexamericas.com

Customer Service and technical support 855.223.3887 From outside the US: 360-693-2505

Cadet eletric heater manuals, for all current models, are at this company web page:

https://www.cadet.glendimplexamericas.com/en-us/trade-professional-catalogues

Below we provide direct PDF download links for common wall heaters and some other electric heater models.

Cadet Electric Heater Model Identification Guide [lllustration above and below adapted from Cadet, cited here]
Electric baseboard heaters: label in the lower left or right corner of the heater. For current (2023) models of cadet baseboard heaters, the company notes that

The model number is on a small, clear label towards the left or right end of the heater.
Electric wall heaters: Wall heaters have a label that can be viewed through the grill. For current (2023) models of Cadet wall heaters, the company notes that

The model number is on a small, clear label on the heater assembly beneath the grill.
Cadet ELECTRIC HEATERS 2022 U.S. CATALOG [PDF] - retrieved 2023/01/21, original source: https://www.cadet.glendimplexamericas.com/sites/g/files/emiian441/files/2022-03/2022_USHeatCatalogue_0.pdf
CADET BTF-SERIES ELECTRIC BASEBOARD THERMOSTAT MANUAL [PDF] (2017) Cadet Heaters, PO Box 1675, Vancouver WA 98668, Tel: 1-360-683-1675 Website: www.cadetheat.com Technical Support Call: 855-223-3887

Other models of Cadet electric heater thermostats and their instructions are provided by the company at http://cadetheat.com/support/install-help

Cadet's electric baseboard wiring instructions cover all of the common wiring situations - summarized in our table at

...

CADET Com-Pak Electric Wall Heater Assembly Only (with Thermostat MANUAL, 1500W 240V MODEL CS152T [PDF] (2020) [Illustrated above]
CADET COM-PAK BATH ELECTRIC WALL HEATER MANUAL MODEL CBC132TW [PDF] (2019)

CADET ENERGY PLUS ELECTRIC WALL HEATER MANUAL, 240/208/120V, 1600/1500/1000W MODEL CEC163TW

CADET ENERGY PLUS ELECTRIC WALL HEATER MANUAL, 240/208/120V, 1600/1500/1000W MODEL CEC163TW [PDF] (2021) [Shown above]
CADET F SERIES 6-FOOT ELECTRIC BASEBOARD HEATER MANUAL, 1500W 120V MODEL 6F1500-1A [PDF] (2020)
CADET PERFECTOE UNDER-CABINET TOE KICK HEATER MANUAL, 1000W 120V MODEL UC101W [PDF]
CADET SBFT2 ELECTRIC BASEBOARD HEATER BUILT-IN THERMOSTAT MANUAL [PDF] Op. Cit.

...

Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Question:

(Oct 23, 2012) Ernest Marston said:
Smelled like something burning then no heat , I've trace it down to the element ( no ohms )
Went to try to find an element and came up with this recall. Don't know what to do so help me please. My Email address is elm98632@gmail.com if you need that

Reply:

Ernest see ELECTRIC HEAT BASEBOARD DIAGNOSE REPAIR

Question: Cadet series Model CSC202TW C series recall?

(Apr 2, 2014) Charles said:
Is the Cadet series Model CSC202TW C series is in this recall?

Reply:

Charles, the recall pertains electric in-wall heaters for use in homes and residences under the brands "Cadet" and "Encore", all models and variants within each model of the series FW (manufactured between 1978 and 1989) and series FX models (1984-1995), and series LX heater models (1984-1995), series TK heater models (1986-1998), ZA model wall heaters (1984-1995), "first generation Z heater models (1993-1997), and/or all series and models "of the same or functionally identicla heaters manufactured and distributed by Cadet under the Endore brand.

Your heater is not in the recall series.

(Apr 15, 2014) Steve Jones said:
Hi Charles, the Cadet model CSC202TW is a current model heater that Cadet produces today. The recalled heaters have not been produced in over 14 years. Personally in my opinion, Cadet makes one of the safest heaters on the market today. They went through a major recall and now test their heaters to crazy high standards.

They are the only heater that I trust to install in my home.Their Tech Support and Customer Service departments are actually their and pick up the phone....you actually get to talk to a person instead of "Press #2 to talk to...." Hands down the best that I have dealt with in a long time and I have to say that Cadet has set the bar just a little higher and in my opinion are the mark that other heater manufacturers should be measured by.

Follow up from Mod:

Thanks for the comment, Steve. From your remarks it sounds as if perhaps you are a Cadet employee. Regardless, we agree that it is appropriate to distinguish between a prior product recall and current products produced by a company.

...

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Cadet Electric Heater Manuals, Contact &
US CPSC Notice of Cadet or Encore Electric In-Wall Heater Safety Recall