Serene heaters recall

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#3220893 21-Apr-2024 09:56

On the topic of heating spaces such as bathrooms, where typically you only want the heat for a short amount of time (after a shower for example):

Look into infrared heaters, they're much better at heating surfaces (your skin) via infrared radiation (which sounds much worse than it is!) compared to trying to heat up an entire room of air. They provide instant heat.

They've been marketed as being the latest and greatest heater tech, mainly for outdoor areas, for a few years now, but they've been around for decades and are nothing new.

Just thought I'd chip in with an alternative that some of you might not have heard about.

Stu1

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#3220965 21-Apr-2024 11:13

Mehrts:

On the topic of heating spaces such as bathrooms, where typically you only want the heat for a short amount of time (after a shower for example):

Look into infrared heaters, they're much better at heating surfaces (your skin) via infrared radiation (which sounds much worse than it is!) compared to trying to heat up an entire room of air. They provide instant heat.

They've been marketed as being the latest and greatest heater tech, mainly for outdoor areas, for a few years now, but they've been around for decades and are nothing new.

Just thought I'd chip in with an alternative that some of you might not have heard about.

They look very ugly though

Mehrts

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#3220970 21-Apr-2024 11:35

Stu1:

They look very ugly though

There are a few various designs, but they're no worse aesthetically than a fan heater. I'd opt for function over form for something like this.

cddt

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#3220999 21-Apr-2024 12:38

Mehrts:

On the topic of heating spaces such as bathrooms, where typically you only want the heat for a short amount of time (after a shower for example):

My father prescribed me concrete pills for this, as his father did for him. Now I can pass this down to my own children. 😂

But seriously, thanks for the hint on infrared heaters, will look into them.

My referral links: BigPipe | Mercury

Rushmere

354 posts

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#3221053 21-Apr-2024 15:50

I have 2 of the S2088 heaters purchased from Bunnings, and I think I’ll remove them, even though they’re not showing as recalled.

I’ve emailed Bunnings to ask if they’re safe, but I expect they’ll say they’re OK as they’re not officially part of the recall (at least not yet).

I’ll be interested to hear if anyone else gets any further information on this model.

I’m thinking about replacing them with these Weiss heaters which look very similar and are about the same price I paid for the Serene heaters.

spmiller

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#3221094 21-Apr-2024 17:36

I was taught you want to heat up the air before your shower so it can hold more water. Then the extractor fan gets rid of most of the steam and it doesn't condense down the walls.

johna8

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#3221097 21-Apr-2024 17:45

I've got the S207T - going to follow up with the electrician who installed it to see what my options are.

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k1w1k1d

1519 posts

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#3221101 21-Apr-2024 17:59

We have a Steam Stopper on our shower, don't heat the bathroom, and have no steam issues. Have no issues with people hogging the bathroom.

mattwnz

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#3221545 22-Apr-2024 18:14

I see they have now removed the photo of the 2088 model from the Energy safety / Worksafe website. Didn't ever get a reply back from them though. https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/about-us/news-and-media/further-action-on-serene-bathroom-heaters/ Although they have yet to update the Gazette notice. https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2024-au1707

Mehrts

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#3221830 23-Apr-2024 14:40

spmiller: I was taught you want to heat up the air before your shower so it can hold more water. Then the extractor fan gets rid of most of the steam and it doesn't condense down the walls.

Shower Dome (or similar) works wonders for preventing the steam from escaping the shower in the first place. The only downside is that the shower door has to be left ajar once it's cooled down to prevent mildew from developing, but that's such a minor point in the grand scheme of things.

Rushmere

354 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3222394 24-Apr-2024 15:55

I emailed Bunnings to ask if the Serene S2088 heaters I have are safe.

I got a reply today, but I don't think they actually read my email, and just sent me a cut and paste standard reply related to the recalled models. It included the following statements:

"We are currently finalising the processes to support you with this recall and ensure that we can support you quickly and easily.

You can expect to hear back from us by the 8th May with further information."

I guess I'll wait to hear what they say in their next communication.

They gave me a support ticket number, so they should follow up.

Paul1977

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#3224575 30-Apr-2024 13:20

There doesn't seem to be a clear answer on who should be paying for the labour costs for removal and installation of a replacement.

We have one that was part of a 2020 new build. Electrician has said they can supply a replacement free of charge under CGA, but we'll need to pay for the install. I understand they've had this mess dumped on them through no fault of their own, but if they supplied and installed the original (and have acknowledged it's replacement is covered under CGA) doesn't that mean the reinstallation should be covered as well?

Latest update on Master Electricians website say essentially says they don't know:

Our initial research around the responsibility for costs of replacement and/or reinstallation costs has opened up the need for further investigation into the matter, as there is a multitude of scenarios which need to be looked into. We appreciate your patience while we ensure we get you the right information.

Everything I read is also saying don't remove the old one yourself if hardwired; but isn't this just a like-for-like replacement that a homeowner with basic electrical knowledge can legally do themselves? Am I mistaken here?

MadEngineer

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#3224744 30-Apr-2024 18:08

I would never agree nor suggest to anyone that a homeowner could do their own electrical work even if they're allowed to. I'd always give instructions that they should use an electrician. Pushed on the point I'd quote the code and let them make their own mind up from that without providing a confirmation.

If you have to ask that question then you don't do it yourself. To me it's a case of if you know you know.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

mattwnz

20141 posts

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#3224752 30-Apr-2024 19:06

Paul1977:

IANAL. But I understand all new houses are also covered by 10 years of implied warranties, and 1 year defects period under the building act. https://www.building.govt.nz/projects-and-consents/why-contracts-are-valuable/implied-warranties-and-defects

Paul1977

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#3224754 30-Apr-2024 19:27

MadEngineer:
I would never agree nor suggest to anyone that a homeowner could do their own electrical work even if they're allowed to. I'd always give instructions that they should use an electrician. Pushed on the point I'd quote the code and let them make their own mind up from that without providing a confirmation.

If you have to ask that question then you don't do it yourself. To me it's a case of if you know you know.

If I was asking how to wire the heater I’d agree, but I know exactly how to wire it. The question was about the legality of a home owner doing it themselves. I don’t see that asking that question should negate me from performing the installation if it’s legal for me to do so.

I do agree that if someone doesn’t know what they are doing then they should engage a professional.

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