Recalled Cadet Wall Heaters:
Which Models, How to Check, and What It Means for Buyers
Cadet wall heaters were made just across the river in Vancouver, and millions went into Northwest homes. Several generations of them have been recalled for fire risk.
Cadet Manufacturing was based in Vancouver, Washington, and for decades its electric wall heaters went into houses, condos, and apartments all over the Portland metro and Clark County. Plenty of them are still on the wall.
Several generations of those heaters were recalled. The biggest recall, in 2000, covered more than 1.9 million Cadet and Encore in-wall heaters. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said flames, sparks, or molten particles could come out through the front grille into the room.
You usually can’t tell a recalled heater from a newer one by looking at the grille. The model number is on a label behind it. This post covers which models were recalled, where to find the label, and what a home inspection can and can’t tell you about it.
The Cadet recalls, in order
There wasn’t one Cadet recall. There were several, and later ones widened the earlier ones.
- October 1997: Cadet recalled models FW, FX, LX, and ZA to replace a black plastic over-temperature limit switch that could fail.
- January 1999: The CPSC sued Cadet, saying the switch repair didn’t fix the problem. The agency said heating elements and internal wiring connections could also fail.
- February 2000: The lawsuit settled and the recall expanded to more than 1.9 million Cadet and Encore in-wall heaters, sold mainly in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Heaters repaired under the 1997 program were included.
- April 2002: A separate notice covered certain RM and ZM heatboxes. When one replaced a ZA or RA heater and was wired a certain way, it could run nonstop no matter how the thermostat was set.
- September 2024: Cadet Apex72 high-wall heaters were recalled because the fan can fail to start, which can let the unit overheat and ignite inside.
At the time of the 2000 recall, the CPSC said it had more than 320 reports of these heaters smoking, sparking, catching fire, or throwing out burning or molten material, along with allegations of three deaths and two serious burn injuries.
| Recall | Models covered | Remedy today |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 / 2000 (Cadet and Encore in-wall) | Model numbers starting FW, FX, LX, TK, ZA, Z, RA, RK, RLX, RX, RW, ZC | Discount program ended Feb 17, 2002 |
| 2002, revised 2004 | Certain RM and ZM replacement heatboxes | Repair program no longer available |
| 2024 (Apex72 high-wall) | HW128, HW132, HW151 made Mar 2021 to Feb 2024; HW162, HW162BP5, HW168, HW168BP5 made before Mar 2024 | Free replacement, 866-673-9880 |
Why they’re so common around here
Cadet heaters in Portland and SW Washington
- Cadet was a local manufacturer, so its heaters were an easy pick for builders and electricians in the region
- The 2000 recall says the heaters were distributed mainly in five Western states, including Oregon and Washington
- Electric wall heat is common in condos, apartments, and houses built from the 1970s through the 1990s
- Bathrooms, finished basements, and room additions often got a wall heater even when the rest of the house had a furnace
A house can also have a mix. One room may have a newer replacement heater while the bedroom down the hall still has the original from 1985. Each one needs its own label check.
How to find the model number
On older Cadet and Encore in-wall heaters, the brand and model are on a label printed on the front of the heat box, behind the grille. The label usually also says “Install grill before operating heater,” along with the voltage and wattage.
Sometimes you can read it through the slots with a flashlight. If you can’t, the grille has to come off, and that means turning the heater off at the breaker first. The CPSC specifically warns of electrocution risk when the grille is removed with the power on.
- Turn the heater’s breaker off at the panel, and confirm the heater is cold
- Shine a flashlight through the grille first; the label may be readable without removing anything
- If the grille has to come off, take a photo of the label before putting it back
- Look at the first letters of the model number and compare them to the recall list
- Write down which room each heater is in, since a house can have several different models
On Apex72 heaters, the rating label shows through the bottom of the air outlet grille. It lists the model number and the manufacture date, written day-month-year.
One thing to watch for: Cadet sold some heater models under several prefixes. For example, its own replacement chart groups the FX152, RX152, and X152 together, even though only the FX and RX prefixes appear on the CPSC recall list. Read the whole model number, and if it’s close to a recalled one, ask an electrician or call the manufacturer.
Real Inspection Photos
Cadet Heaters From Russ's Inspections
The model label is the part that matters. These were read through the grille with a flashlight, without taking the heater apart.
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A typical Cadet fan-forced wall heater. Nothing on the outside says which model it is. -
This label starts with FX, one of the prefixes named in the 2000 recall. The report recommended an electrician confirm the model and replace affected units. -
A Cadet heater with its high limit tripped, shown by the red light behind the grille. The model was on a recall list, and the report recommended replacement by an electrician.
Warning signs on any wall heater
Whether or not a heater is on a recall list, these are worth paying attention to:
- A burning or hot-plastic smell when the heater runs (a little dust smell on the first cold day is common)
- Smoke, sparks, popping sounds, or visible flames behind the grille
- Scorch marks or discoloration on the grille or the wall above it
- A heater that keeps running when the thermostat is turned all the way down
- A heater that won’t turn on, or shuts off and comes back on by itself
- Furniture, curtains, or bedding pushed up against the heater
Wall heaters sit close to the floor and close to whatever’s in the room. That’s part of why a failure can turn into a fire quickly. Working smoke alarms on every level matter more than usual in a house with old wall heaters; this post on expired smoke and CO alarms covers how to tell if yours are too old.
What the home inspection covers
A home inspection looks at the heating equipment that’s visible and accessible, and runs it with normal operating controls when the power is on. For wall heaters, that usually means turning each one up at its thermostat, checking that it responds, and looking at the grille and surrounding wall.
When a heater’s label can be read through the grille, the inspector can note the brand and model in the report and flag one that appears on a known recall list. Grilles aren’t removed and heaters aren’t taken apart during the inspection, so some labels simply can’t be read. Heaters that are turned off at the panel aren’t turned back on.
The same label-first approach works for the water heater, furnace, and other appliances, and the post on how to check a house for recalled products walks through it.
That’s the same approach used for other recalled or problem equipment, like a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panel. The inspection identifies what can be seen and documents it. Confirming whether a specific unit is affected, and replacing it, is work for a licensed electrician.
You can read more about what a buyer’s home inspection includes, and how it fits alongside the seller’s disclosure, which may or may not mention heater recalls.
If a heater is on the recall list
For the 2024 Apex72 recall, the CPSC says to stop using the heater and contact Glen Dimplex Americas at 866-673-9880 for a free replacement and installation.
For the older recalls, there’s no manufacturer program left. A licensed electrician can confirm the model and replace the heater with a current one, often in the same wall opening.
The only way to know if a Cadet heater was recalled is to read its model number. Check each heater in the house, note the room, and have an electrician look at any model that matches or comes close to a recalled one.
If you’re buying a home with electric wall heat, the inspection can help you see which heaters are labeled and which ones need a closer look. You can book online any day of the week.
Cadet Wall Heater Recall FAQ
