The Risky Reason IBC Technologies' Combi Boilers Are Being Recalled
Combi boilers are compact, wall-mounted, gas-powered devices that are often seen as ideal for modern houses because they take up less space than a large conventional water tank and are highly efficient. They can provide hot water on demand for the kitchen, bathroom, and radiators, making one of the increasingly popular options to heat your home. Generally speaking, combi boilers are reliable and can be expected to last 10 to 15 years, but a recent recall of IBC Technologies' combi boilers by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission has put the brand under the spotlight.
IBC Technologies is a Canadian company, part of the giant Rheem corporation. There's no suggestion that their products are usually dangerous, and as far as we know there have been no injuries associated with the recall to date. If that's true, what is the risky reason the safety commission has acted?
The problem is a fault in the production of hot water, which can exceed the temperature set on the boiler's control panel. Apparently, it gets hot enough that unsuspecting owners risk getting burned. Although only five cases of the overheating problem have been reported, there is sufficient concern for the recall.
How to know if your IBC combi boiler is affected, and how IBC has responded
The combi boilers in question have a red IBC label in the top left-hand corner and are models CX-150 or CX-199. The number can be found on the front-mounted touch screen, in the upper left corner. They were manufactured between April 2023 and April 2024, and about 1,100 units were sold in the United States. Exact model numbers can be found on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
Owners should contact IBC Technologies, who will arrange for an authorized technician to make the required repair without removing the boiler from the home. In the meantime, the company says the combi boiler can still be used to feed radiators, although there is no information on whether this might contribute to your heating bill going through the roof.
If you own a different IBC combi, or one from another brand, and it isn't performing as expected, it could be a sign that you need a new boiler, although it may only need to be serviced. Professionals recommend this is done once a year to ensure the device is safe and running at maximum efficiency.