If you have an attic fan in your home, it’s time to take a closer look. Nearly three million electric motors used in gable- and roof-mounted attic fans are being recalled because of a serious fire risk. The warning comes straight from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and it’s nothing to ignore.
The problem? Certain fan motors made by Air Vent Inc. of Dallas can overheat and cause fires. There have already been more than 150 reports of burns or fires linked to these faulty motors, though — thankfully — no injuries have been reported.
These motors were sold at major retailers like Lowe’s, ABC Supply, and Beacon, which means millions of homes may have them installed. Let’s walk through what you need to know and what you should do if you’re affected.
Which attic fan motors are being recalled?
Not every Air Vent motor is a problem. The recall only applies to motors sold between August 2003 and December 2013. That’s a long time ago — but many of these attic fans are still running in homes today.
The CPSC says the faulty motors are easy to identify because they have a distinctive vent pattern on the motor end bells — the metal ends of the motor casing.
If your attic fan has this pattern, it may be part of the recall.
What model numbers are affected?
Homeowners should check their attic fans for these specific model numbers:
- DOW-136-0-34-XIN
- DOW-136-0-26-XIN
- DOW-136-0-40-XIN
- DOW-136-0-40-XIN-3/4″
- D-RE-PSC-127/20-4P1SP
If you see one of these numbers on your motor label, stop using the fan immediately. Continuing to run the fan could overheat the motor and put your home at risk.
What should you do if you own one?
Here’s the good news: Air Vent is offering refunds to anyone with an affected motor. You won’t have to figure this out alone.
- Turn off the fan right away to avoid potential fire hazards.
- Contact Air Vent at 877-247-4878 to verify your model and request a refund.
- Go online to powermaxmotorrecall.expertinquiry.com to submit information, or visit gibraltarbuildingproducts.com/ventilation-category/ and click “Important Safety Information.”
Once you reach out, the company will walk you through the refund process and make sure you’re not left out of pocket.
Why this recall matters
While no injuries have been reported so far, fires caused by overheating motors can spread quickly and lead to major property damage. This is why the CPSC and Air Vent are taking the recall so seriously.
Because these fans were sold over a 10-year period, they could be in millions of homes across the United States. Even if your fan seems to be working fine, it’s still unsafe if it’s one of the recalled models.
Don’t wait — check your attic fan today
Here’s the bottom line:
- Motors sold between August 2003 and December 2013 are affected.
- Look for the distinctive vent pattern on the motor end bells.
- Stop using the fan and call Air Vent at 877-247-4878 for a refund.
It only takes a few minutes to check your attic fan, and doing so could save your home from a dangerous fire hazard.
So grab a flashlight, climb into your attic, and take a quick look at that motor. A little effort now means peace of mind later.
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