January 5, 2026 – A consumer has reported a concerning safety incident involving an Enerco Group, Inc. “mr heater” unit, where unburnt natural gas was observed escaping from the unit’s secondary pilot light orifice, intended for propane use, while the heater was operating on natural gas. The consumer, citing experience with natural gas, expressed significant safety concerns regarding the potential for fuel buildup and explosion, despite the manufacturer reportedly claiming this behavior is outlined in the owner’s manual.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The incident, reported on December 4, 2025, details a problem with a “mr heater” unit that features two distinct pilot lights: one for propane and one for natural gas. The consumer was operating the heater using its natural gas pilot. During a routine pre-winter check, the consumer noticed unburnt natural gas escaping from the *propane* pilot nozzle, a secondary orifice not actively being used for combustion at the time. While the natural gas pilot was lit and functioning, the propane pilot area was observed to have natural gas “spurting a flame” and attempting to light, but unable to sustain a flame, indicating a consistent release of unburnt fuel.
The consumer, who has professional experience working with natural gas, immediately recognized this as a serious safety hazard, fearing that unburnt fuel accumulation within a confined space could lead to an explosion. When the consumer contacted Mr. Heater, a technician reportedly stated that this occurrence is mentioned in the owner’s manual. However, the consumer firmly believes that regardless of manual documentation, the presence of unburnt fuel in a home poses an unacceptable and dangerous risk, emphasizing the explosive potential when fuel mixes with air. The consumer highlighted that an average person might not notice such a subtle issue, but their annual testing and expertise brought it to light.
Safety Concerns
The reported incident raises critical safety concerns, primarily centered around the uncontrolled release of flammable gas:
- Immediate Dangers: The most immediate danger is the accumulation of natural gas within an enclosed space. Natural gas is highly flammable and, when mixed with air in certain concentrations, can form an explosive mixture. Even a small spark from a static discharge, an electrical appliance, or a pilot light from another appliance could ignite this mixture, leading to a flash fire or a violent explosion.
- Long-Term Risks: Continuous, even if subtle, leakage of natural gas poses a chronic risk. While the consumer noted a “spurting flame,” indicating some combustion, the presence of *unburnt* fuel escaping means not all gas is consumed. Over time, or in poorly ventilated areas, this could lead to a dangerous buildup. Additionally, prolonged exposure to natural gas, even at low levels, can displace oxygen and potentially lead to asphyxiation, though explosion is the more immediate and severe concern here.
- Who Might Be Affected: Homeowners using dual-fuel heaters, particularly those relying on them for emergency heating or in areas with less robust ventilation, are at risk. Individuals who may not have the technical expertise to detect subtle gas leaks are particularly vulnerable, as they might be unaware of the hazard until it’s too late.
- Property Damage Potential: An explosion resulting from unburnt gas accumulation can cause catastrophic property damage, including structural collapse, fire, and extensive destruction to contents, far beyond the heater itself.
The consumer’s assertion that “fuel and air makes things go boom” accurately underscores the inherent danger of this situation, regardless of whether it’s noted in an owner’s manual. Product design must prioritize safety over operational quirks.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own dual-fuel “mr heater” units or similar appliances should take the following precautions:
- Immediate Steps: If you smell natural gas or suspect a leak from any appliance:
* Do NOT turn on or off any lights or electrical appliances.
* Do NOT use a phone or flashlight inside the building.
* Evacuate everyone from the building immediately.
* Once outside, call your gas utility provider and 911 from a safe distance.
* Do NOT attempt to locate the leak yourself.
- Check Your Product: If you own a dual-fuel “mr heater,” especially one that uses both propane and natural gas, carefully inspect the pilot light areas when the unit is in operation. Listen for hissing sounds, look for unusual flames or sputtering from unused orifices, and use the “sniff test” for gas odor.
- Prevention Measures: Ensure your home has working carbon monoxide detectors and natural gas detectors. These devices can provide early warning of gas leaks or incomplete combustion. Always follow manufacturer instructions for installation, use, and maintenance.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar incident or have safety concerns about a product, report it to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov or by calling their hotline at 1-800-638-2772. Your report helps identify potential hazards and prevent future incidents.
Manufacturer’s Response
As of December 11, 2025, Enerco Group, Inc., the manufacturer of “mr heater” products, provided the following response:
“Enerco is committed to product safety and takes reports of incidents involving its products very seriously. This product, like all Enerco products, meets or exceeds all applicable safety standards. Any CPSC notifications received are investigated and analyzed to ensure that there are no larger safety concerns to address. This CPSC notification was handled in this manner and a response provided to the CPSC in connection with the consumer’s report.”
While the manufacturer states their commitment to safety and adherence to standards, the consumer’s specific concern about unburnt fuel leakage, even if documented in a manual, highlights a potential design or operational issue that warrants further investigation to ensure consumer safety.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.