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Bionaire portable electric heaters

17 reports to CPSC, the latest made Jan 7, 2018. A report isn’t a recall.

Watch it to hear when CPSC publishes new reports about it. CPSC’s own search, on saferproducts.gov

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.

At a glance

From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.

  • 17reports to CPSC
  • Jan 7, 2018the latest report was made
  • Nov 9, 2011the earliest
  • 17with the company’s comments
Brand
Bionaire
Maker
Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer SolutionsMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
Product
Portable electric heatersCPSC’s product type: Portable Electric Heaters (code 348), in Home Maintenance and Structures: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Other ways the reports write the brand (2)

“Bionair” and “Boinaire”

By month

1 report from February 2017 to January 2018; the most in January 2018, 1. 16 earlier reports, since November 2011, are in the table.
The numbers, as a table
Reports to CPSC by the month each was made, newest first
MonthReports
January 20181
February 20151
March 20141
January 20142
December 20131
January 20131
November 20122
October 20122
March 20121
January 20124
November 20111

How badly anyone was hurt

  • Hurt, no treatment 1 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
  • No one hurt 14 CPSC: Incident, No Injury
  • Not said 2 CPSC: Unspecified

As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.

The reports, as CPSC published them

Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.

Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.

Source:

CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.

  1. No one hurt

    Made Jan 7, 2018, sent to the company Apr 9, 2018, published by CPSC Apr 23, 2018

    The product, in the report: It is a Bionaire Micathermic heater like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Bionaire-Silent-Micathermic-Console-Heater/dp/B000I0WQR2

    We were using this electric space heater in an unoccupied bedroom. It was on a hardwood floor at least 3 feet from other objects. The unit was about 10 years old - we hadn’t used it in several years but had been using for about 3 weeks this season without trouble, aside from a finicky power switch. After running continuously on its high setting for about 14 hours, our smoke alarm sounded. I went upstairs and found that the unit was smoking. I unplugged and left the room for about 1 minute to silence the alarms and answer a call from our monitoring service. When I returned it was still smoking - I could see that there were flames by the control panel. I quickly took it outside and used a small amount of water to douse the flame. I wonder if the power switch failed and shorted out? It was difficult to switch it the first few times we used it but the unit seemed to work fine.

    Model
    bh3950 Micathermic heater
    Bought from
    Costco, North Carolina
    Where
    Durham, North Carolina: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 40, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  2. No one hurt

    Made Feb 26, 2015, sent to the company Mar 9, 2015, published by CPSC Mar 23, 2015

    The product, in the report: Bionaire space heater, Model: BFH3342M

    The product is a Bionaire space heater, Model: BFH3342M. The product was being used as an extra heat source for a bedroom in our downstairs. Our daughter was about to go to sleep with the heater running and she heard it making some noise. It got louder so she got up and it was sparking real bad and turning red and smelling like it was going to catch on fire. She then unplugged it and came upstairs to show me. She was kind of frantic. I plugged it in and it stated sparking immediately around one of the coils. It turned bright red and started to smell very bad. I definitely believe it would have caught on fire. If she had not have been in the room, I believe it could have caught on fire and worse case scenario, burned our house down. It’s a scary thought. I doubt I will be buying another space heater of any kind for a while, if ever. This is the second winter we have had it. Our daughter is not using it but a few nights a week if that. She is only here a few nights a week because of her job. Scary!

    Model
    BFH3342M
    Bought from
    Wal-Mart, Georgia
    Bought
    Nov 18, 2014, about then
    Where
    Unspecified: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Female
    The reporter’s relation to them
    My Child
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  3. No one hurt

    Made Mar 5, 2014, sent to the company Mar 13, 2014, published by CPSC Mar 28, 2014

    The product, in the report: Bionaire® BCH9208-UM Ceramic Tower Heater

    Operating Bionaire Heater as directed by manufacturer, Model BCH9208. During operation heard an arcing sound and unit began to smoke and smell of burning plastic. Immediately unplugged from wall outlet.

    Model
    BCH9208
    UPC
    I Dont Know
    Serial number
    I dont Know
    Bought from
    Costco, Illinois
    Bought
    Nov 1, 2012, about then
    Where
    West Chicago, Illinois: Other Public Property/Office
    Who was involved
    Age 32, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  4. Not said

    Made Jan 22, 2014, sent to the company Jan 30, 2014, published by CPSC Feb 13, 2014

    The product, in the report: Electric Space Heater

    Using a Bionaire BCH9221 heater, I smelled burning plastic, and then the heater failed.

    I opened the heater to find a melted wire disconnected from the heating element because of a poor connection to the heating element.

    Reading the reviews on Amazon, a lot of people have had similar (or worse) experiences.

    Model
    BCH9221
    UPC
    n/a
    Serial number
    none
    Bought from
    Costco
    Bought
    Jan 1, 2012, about then
    Where
    San Jose, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Unspecified
  5. Not said

    Made Jan 10, 2014, sent to the company Jan 22, 2014, published by CPSC Feb 5, 2014

    The product, in the report: Bionaire tower-type heater with fan. Model BCH9208

    On 1/08/14 at approx. 0830 hrs a personal space heater was observed to be smoking. Closer inspection by staff showed red glow seen through the ventilation ports of the unit. The space heater was immediately unplugged and all signs of smoke and red glow dissipated. Fire Protection Engineer and Safety were called to investigate. Supervisor notified. Investigation reveals that the Bionare Model BCH9208 shows evidence of blackened wire insulation internal to the heater. The affected wire is a white wire, 16 AWG size, directly connected to the power cord. The blackened portion is limited to about 2 inches at the end. The wire has a crimped-on female spade connection. The spade connection is tight, but the wire has come apart at the end of the spade connector, making it appear that the crimp has failed. Appears that either heat destroyed the wire at the connector crimp or else the crimp was poorly made at the factory. This particular heater is approved for use and meets the requirements of ISPM-6. The unit was plugged directly into an outlet as required. The unit had a clear space behind of at least 18 inches and in front greater than 36 inches.

    Model
    Model BCH9208
    Bought from
    Office Depot, Washington
    Bought
    Apr 1, 2013
    Where
    Richland, Washington: Other
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Unspecified
  6. No one hurt

    Made Dec 8, 2013, sent to the company Dec 16, 2013, published by CPSC Dec 31, 2013

    The product, in the report: Bionaire BH3699 Micathermic panel heater. 120v/60Hz. 1500w. NEMA 1 plug for US use. Approx 30” wide, 24” high, 4” deep. Dark gray end caps with matte silver perforated metal mesh.

    Bionaire BH3699 portable heater. 120v/60Hz. 1500w. Plugged directly into wall w/o extension cord. Used in occupied room. No obstructions, not covered, not blocked. Nearest furniture 4-6 feet away. Had been in normal use for about 90 minutes without prior interaction or contact since switching unit on. Sudden, loud arcing/crackling/copious, acrid smoke occurred behind plastic end cap near thermostat knob. Unit unplugged within 10 seconds. No injuries, no property damage, occupants were forced to leave room due to burning plastic smoke.

    Model
    BH3699
    UPC
    N/A
    Serial number
    N/A
    Bought from
    Home Depot
    Bought
    Dec 1, 2009, about then
    Where
    Gardnerville, Nevada: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  7. No one hurt

    Made Jan 9, 2013, sent to the company Jan 18, 2013, published by CPSC Feb 4, 2013

    The product, in the report: Bionaire Quartz Space Heater

    I purchased a Bionaire space heater from Walmart in October of 2012. The model number is BHH7522MX-BWM, Quartz heater. The first one had sparks coming out of the on-off switch and I exchanged it. I’m now having the same problem with the seconed unit. This poses a significant fire hazard and I will be contacting the company. If you have this unit, cease use and return it to the store. A recall of this heater should be issued.

    Model
    BHH7522MX-BWM
    Bought from
    Walmart, Indiana
    Bought
    Nov 15, 2012, about then
    Where
    Indianapolis, Indiana: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  8. No one hurt

    Made Nov 11, 2012, sent to the company Dec 6, 2012, published by CPSC Dec 20, 2012

    The product, in the report: portable Electric heater

    Bionaire BCH9221 Heater smoked and when opened up found white wire going to hear element melted and frayed. Also found melting wire melted plastic case of heater.

    Model
    BCH9221
    Bought from
    Home Depot
    Bought
    Sep 1, 2011, about then
    Where
    Park City, Utah: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 37, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Boinaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  9. No one hurt

    Made Nov 1, 2012, sent to the company Nov 16, 2012, published by CPSC Dec 3, 2012

    The product, in the report: Bionaire BCH9208 portable heater

    My Bionaire BCH9208 purchased last year sparked and smoked this morning. It would probably have caught fire if I had not unplugged it.

    Model
    BCH9208
    Where
    Norcross, Georgia: Other Public Property/Office
    Who was involved
    Unknown
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  10. No one hurt

    Made Oct 9, 2012, sent to the company Oct 17, 2012, published by CPSC Oct 31, 2012

    The product, in the report: Bionaire Ceramic Mini Tower Heater

    Bionare Heater Fan Model BCH9208 (purchased last winter) caught fire while in use after less than 30 minutes of operation this morning. Fortunately the noise of the spark attracted our attention and we were able to diffuse the fire by unplugging the unit.

    Model
    BCH9208
    UPC
    04889404162
    Serial number
    D249DH
    Bought from
    COSTCO
    Bought
    Nov 15, 2011, about then
    Where
    Nolensville, Tennessee: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unknown
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  11. No one hurt

    Made Oct 8, 2012, sent to the company Oct 16, 2012, published by CPSC Oct 30, 2012

    The product, in the report: Bionaire portable ceramic tower heater, item 650104, UPC code 0 48894 04162 4; made by Sunbeam. Model # BCH9208-U11EB1. Intertek # 3065641

    Bionaire BCH-9208 portable ceramic heater sparked and shorted out - this is the second of these to do so, both times in or near my daughter’s room. I have returned the product to Costco. THIS PRODUCT SHOULD BE PULLED FROM THE SHELVES AND RECALLED!!!

    Model
    Bionaire BCH9208-U11EB1/item# 650104
    UPC
    0 48894 04162 4
    Bought from
    Costco
    Bought
    Oct 1, 2011, about then
    Where
    Seattle, Washington: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  12. No one hurt

    Made Mar 11, 2012, sent to the company Mar 19, 2012, published by CPSC Apr 2, 2012

    The product, in the report: Bionaire portable ceramic tower heater, item 650104, UPC code 0 48894 04162 4; made by Sunbeam. Model # BCH9208-U11EB1. Intertek # 3065641

    Bionaire portable ceramic tower heater, item 650104, UPC code 0 48894 04162 4; made by Sunbeam. Model # BCH9208. Heater is very seldom used and on March 10, 2012, the heater began to spark flames and commence to burn inside. Fortunately, my wife was sitting right there, and unplugged the heater immediately. This is a major fire hazard and could have jeopardized my family as well as neigbhors lives. This product should be pulled from the market.

    Model
    Bionaire BCH9208-U11EB1/item# 650104
    UPC
    0 48894 04162 4
    Serial number
    no serial number
    Bought from
    Costco
    Bought
    Jan 5, 2011, about then
    Where
    Novato, California: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 56, Female
    The reporter’s relation to them
    My Spouse
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  13. No one hurt

    Made Jan 29, 2012, sent to the company Feb 3, 2012, published by CPSC Feb 17, 2012

    The product, in the report: electric radiant air heater (no fan) model BH3900-U

    control on space heater melted while in use.

    Model
    BH3900-U
    Serial number
    2605
    Bought from
    costco, Georgia
    Bought
    Oct 1, 2003, about then
    Where
    Atlanta, Georgia: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  14. Hurt, no treatment

    Made Jan 20, 2012, sent to the company Jan 27, 2012, published by CPSC Feb 10, 2012

    The product, in the report: Bionaire Electric Fireplace Heater with Remote Control Manufacture Model Number BFH5000-UM.

    While using Bionaire Electric Fireplace Heater with Remote Control as directed by manufacturers literature the unit caught fire. The unit was new only used three times. The unit emitted a strong “electrical smoke smell” followed by what appears to be flames inside the unit. The unit rapidly produced smoke and subsequently “shut down”.

    Per product reviews listed on the web site “buy.com”, this is not an isolated incident. A number of other fires are reported here.

    http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=209952948&loc=33662#cRevSec

    Model
    BFH5000-UM.
    UPC
    048894029950
    Bought from
    Buy.com, California
    Bought
    Jan 7, 2012
    Where
    Grass Lake, Michigan: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 52, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Self
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
  15. No one hurt

    Made Jan 9, 2012, sent to the company Jan 17, 2012, published by CPSC Jan 31, 2012

    The product, in the report: I was using a Bionaire BH3699 Micathermic Radiator Heater on 1/4/2012 when it began to smoke and emit a very foul odor like burning plastic. The unit did NOT turn off when this happened. I have seen reports from other consumers who had this same product burst into flames. Please see this video for more details: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irdrjNPrtUc

    I was using a Bionaire BH3699 Micathermic Radiator Heater when it began to smoke and emit a very foul odor like burning plastic.

    I have seen reports from other consumers who had this same product burst into flames. Please see this video for more details: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irdrjNPrtUc

    Model
    Bionaire BH3699 Micathermic Radiator Heater
    UPC
    48894749933
    Bought from
    Home Depot
    Bought
    Mar 1, 2009, about then
    Where
    SUDBURY, Massachusetts: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Age 15, Male
    The reporter’s relation to them
    My Child
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  16. No one hurt

    Made Jan 3, 2012, sent to the company Jan 11, 2012, published by CPSC Jan 26, 2012

    The product, in the report: Free standing electric heater

    On 12/20/2011 the heater made by Bionaire model # BCH9221 stopped blowing warm air. I removed the back panel looking for a blown fuse. There is no fuse in the unit. What I found was a burned neutral wire, melted case, and arching marks within the unit.

    The unit has a single 16ga wire acting as the neutral for 2, 750 watt heat elements. A single 16ga wire is rated for 13 amps

    The heater is a 1500 watt heater 1500 watts / 120 volts = 12.5 amps

    The 16 gauge neutral wire is under sized and has the potential of causing a fire within the unit.

    Model
    BCH9221
    Bought from
    Walmart, Texas
    Bought
    Nov 15, 2011, about then
    Where
    Alvin, Texas: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionaire, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury
  17. No one hurt

    Made Nov 9, 2011, sent to the company Nov 18, 2011, published by CPSC Dec 5, 2011

    The product, in the report: Bionair 1500 Watt Ocillating Tower Heater w/remote

    Bionair 1500 Watt Tower Heater w/remote Control. The tower oscillates. The plug on the unit gets extremely hot that it melted a surge protector it was plugged into. The wall plug with the unit plugged directly into the outlet also became extremely hot.

    Model
    Bionair 1500 Watt Ocillating Tower Heater #BCH9221-UM
    Bought from
    Home Depot
    Bought
    Nov 1, 2010, about then
    Where
    Airville, Pennsylvania: Home/Apartment/Condominium
    Who was involved
    Unspecified
    The reporter’s relation to them
    Unspecified
    As this report names them
    Brand Bionair, made or sold by Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions
    How badly, in CPSC’s words
    Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.

Source:

Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.

Sources

Sources
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.

    Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.

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