Occasionally this blog deviates from the subject of running.
We recently did a calculation which showed that the cost of resistive electric heat was LESS than the cost of oil heat, the tipping point being about $2.50 per gallon of oil. So we bought an electric space heater for the TV room.
It's the Comfort Zone Model CZ40 two-speed 1500-watt fan heater with thermostat, made by Howard Berger Co., Inc., date code 0707CX, bought at a local Menards. We ran it on the porch for a while to burn off the "new" smell, and then put it to work, turned up high, for two or three hours last night.
This morning when we turned it on the "new" smell appeared once more. On closer examination, the heater was MELTING! The fan was running. The arrows in the picture show where the plastic is distorted from the heat. Click to enlarge.
When I touched the plastic at a distorted spot, it felt very soft but not very hot. I'm not a plastics engineer, but it's my opinion that the plastic has a melting point far too low for a 1500-watt heater. We had the heater on the floor, a foot in front of the TV furniture and four feet from any other obstructions; there was NO interference with air flow; we know better.
It's made in China, of course. It makes me wonder if the Chinese substituted a different plastic after Howard Berger's representatives left their plant. In any case, I sure won't be buying any more Howard Berger products.
Our unit is dangerous - DO NOT BUY THE COMFORT ZONE MODEL CZ40! If you have one, please check right away for softness in the plastic when turned up high.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Comfort Zone Heater Warning
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14 comments:
I have a heater that looks like that that someone gave me. I haven't used it yet. I'll check out its manufacture and then watch it very carefully, thanks to your experience. Glad you were observant with it.
Dear Don - if you are looking for an alternate heat source, try the REAL ComfortZone Infrared heater. Either the CZ1500 or CZ1000 lines will provide you with safe, therapeutic heat. You won't find this quality product at Menards but there are many authorized dealers online that sell and support this heater.
Dear Don,
I have a CZ446 Ceramic Heater that appears to be a black plastic similar to your heater. The 4 position switch melted in the on position. After your story I'm thinking the heater is better trashed than repaired.
bill
This one is not to be confused with the ComfortZone Infrared Heaters made by Earthwise Innovations.
Models CZ1500 or CZ1000. Those are awesome. I have a couple that heat my entire home exclusively and they are very safe and effective.
I bought a CZ446 at Dollar General and the side of it melted and it quit working thank God. They need to recall these heaters.
Based on these comments, I personally wouldn't buy ANY heaters made by ComfortZone. There are lots of brands out there. Just say no.
I think I might have a newer or more updated model of that same heater and mine hasn't melted or anything like that. It could just be a coincidence that those couple were defective.
It is remarkable, very amusing message
I have the same heater an it caught on fire
I just bought a comfort zone heater at Family Dollar this past winter. I usually only use it on low 750 watts to get the chill out. However, someone must of put it on high and last night while at my desk I could smell melting plastic so I went to shut it off and the knob was melted right off. I am going to contact family dollar about this product they are selling. Buyer beware!!
I just purchased a Living Solutions CZ40 from Walgreens this morning. It looks identical to the one in the picture and the fine print says made by Howard Berger, model no. CZ40. I've had it on high for 2 hours now. All the plastic and knobs and the power cord at the outlet so far have remained cool to the touch. The plastic is not getting soft. When I started the temperature at my desk was 60. It's now at 70. When it gets to 72 I will turn it down to low (750W) and set the thermostat. So far, no problems. I bought it on sale for $16.95.
I bought this model a couple of months ago as something to just to take the chill out of the air in the mornings. Every time it was turned on it would trip breakers. We thought it was an electrical issue and after countless breakers tripping and one completely going out we had to hire an electrician We now realize that it was the heater model CZ40 that has something seriously wrong with how it pulls in electric. Now we're out around $350 and lots of worrying about electrical problems over a $20 heater. I will NEVER buy ANY PRODUCTS put out by Comfort Zone and warn anyone else to weigh your options and consider another heater.
We have some Comfort Zone CZ530 and CZ550's. They usually work fine for a couple of seasons and then stop working. If it stops running but the red light is still on, try resetting it by unplugging and letting it cool for 10 mins. If that doesn't help, you may be out of luck.
P.S. I have a CZ550 (made in China for Howard Berger) that stopped working after just one season. The red light doesn't even light.
1/19/2019 I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS HEATER IS STILL OUT THERE AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS!!! I bought mine yesterday and it did warm up the immediate area nicely (a few feet from me while shutting on and off all night and there is some kind of rattle in it) but I unplugged it like I do just about all appliances when I am away from home even for a little while. BUT When I went to use the same outlet it was plugged in to plug something else in the outlet was MELTED!!! Very Scary. After all this time and the Same Little Space Heater I am Guessing Somebody Must Die for there to be a Recall! I bought mine at Family Dollar but it looks like the same Exact Machine with a Different Name was being sold at Dollar General. I thought I read Those Were Recalled. I am going to hang onto everything and hope it will be RECALLED but not because somebody died or their house burned down!!!
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