HVAC Breaking News

Mar. 7, 2002: Goodyear Loses Radiant Case In Colorado

DENVER, CO — Radiant heating hose manufactured by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. was found faulty in a court case recently in Colorado. Vista Resorts, developer of the Beaver Creek vacation homes, filed a lawsuit against Goodyear claiming that its radiant heating hose, Entran II, cracked and leaked fluids under the homes. The repair process was extensive, requiring expensive floors to be ripped up in order to get to the radiant hose.

According to attorneys for Vista Resorts, the faulty hose was also responsible for damages to the ceilings, basements, and driveways of some of the homes.

The jury for the case sided with Vista Resorts and awarded the developer $5.6 million. Under Colorado’s consumer protection laws, this award will be tripled. After punitive damages and added fees, Goodyear will be required to pay between $23 and $25 million.

But Goodyear will be appealing the decision. The company claims that the problems with Entran II are not due to the hose, but rather improper installation.

“Goodyear is disappointed with the Colorado jury’s decision, and we are confident that upon appeal, the court will recognize that the Entran II hose, when used in the systems that have been properly designed, installed, and maintained will provide many years of service,” said Donna Jennings, a spokeswoman for Goodyear.

Jennings also reports that 95% of the heating systems using Entran II hose are still working well even after a decade of use.

Publication date: 03/04/2002

Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS