What Are Red-Tagged Appliances?

You go to the basement to switch a load of laundry and smell gas. You call the gas company, and an hour later, you're looking at a red tag on your gas dryer and still-damp clothes. What now? Keep reading to find out the meaning of a red-tagged appliance and what your next steps should be.

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What Does It Mean When an Appliance Is Red-Tagged?

A red-tagged appliance is one that's been deemed as unsafe or not up to code, generally by a utility company or licensed technician. An actual red tag is put on the appliance to indicate it shouldn't be used until it's fixed. This is most commonly used with gas-powered appliances, such as furnaces or water heaters. However, red tags can also be used for electrical things, such as a main electrical panel. In most cases, the gas or electric supply to the appliance — whichever is applicable — will also be turned off to ensure it can't accidentally be used. The red tag contains important appliance safety warning information and can only be removed by the agency that issued it, such as a code enforcement inspector, after the issue has been fixed and the appliance is safe to use again.

Why Might an Appliance (Like a Washer or Dryer) Be Red-Tagged?

The meaning of a red-tagged appliance is that it can't be safely operated in its current condition, but the exact reason behind the red tag can differ greatly, depending on the appliance. For example, a red tag on a furnace might mean there's a crack in the heat exchanger that presents a carbon monoxide risk or an issue with the electrical wiring that's a fire hazard. A red tag on a water heater can indicate a gas leak or improper ventilation.

Red tags may also be used if an appliance's safety shutoff system isn't working properly or the appliance or supply line is so corroded it's no longer safe. You may get a red-tagged appliance after calling a tech for a repair. If they need to wait on parts or the repair requires a code update, the appliance may need to be red-tagged temporarily. New builds can also have red-tagged appliances if the appliance wasn't installed properly. If an inspector notices an issue with the installation, they may red-tag the appliance until it's been fixed and meets code requirements.

Who Red-Tags Appliances?

Only certain people have the authority to red-tag an appliance. In most cases, a defective appliance tag is put on by a building or code inspector or a licensed technician who comes to assess an issue. A representative of the gas or electric company can also put a red tag on if they were called out to check an issue or found something wrong during a routine meter check.

If you're not sure who put a red tag on, check the tag itself. It generally lists a number to call to find out what you need to do or to have someone recheck the appliance after repairs have been made.

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Is It Safe to Use Appliances With Red Tags?

You should never use an appliance that has a red tag. However, it doesn't always mean you need to immediately fix the issue. Type A red tags mean a major leak or risk to your health. This is generally when the technician or inspector will completely shut off the power or gas to the home until the issue is fixed. A Type B red tag, which is common with appliances, means there's either an issue with the appliance itself or just with that hookup. In most cases, you have a few weeks to repair these issues, and the power or gas supply can remain on to the rest of the house if there's a specific shutoff for the red-tagged appliance.

How Do You Fix a Red-Tagged Appliance?

Because the meaning of a red-tagged appliance is usually a serious safety or compliance issue, these problems should generally be handled by a licensed technician — a plumber or an electrician, depending on the root of the problem. The extent and cost of the necessary repairs will depend on the issue. Adding a missing shutoff on a gas appliance is a much quicker repair than having to replace an entire furnace because of a crack in the heat exchanger.