GE Air Conditioning and Heating Units Recalled Due to Fire Risk

Almost 34,000 air conditioning and heating units have been recalled, after the manufacturer received reports of the units smoking or catching on fire, causing tens of thousands of dollars in property damage. 

A GE Zoneline recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on November 3, following three consumer reports indicating the air conditioners and heating units began smoking and caught on fire while in use.

While no injuries have been reported to date, the fires have caused consumers to suffer an estimated $30,000 in property damages, and could pose a serious risk to individuals in the house if a fire goes unnoticed.

The problems with the GE units appears to be caused by outside moisture accumulation near the unit’s heater when the unit is in operation with the external vent door open. When the heater is exposed to moisture, it may cause the two electrical components to short out and create an electric ground path and arcing which may start fires.

Consumers are being asked to not operate the units with the external vent open.

The recall includes an estimated 34,000 GE Zoneline Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and heating units with model numbers AZ40E09E, AZ41E07E, AZ41E09E, AZ41E12E, AZ41E15E, AZ61H07E, AZ61H09E, AZ61H12E, and AZ61H15E. The GE logo is affixed to the control panel door on the front of the unit. For a full list of recalled model and serial numbers please visit the recall notice linked above.

The CPSC notes that these units were primarily installed and used in hotels, apartment buildings, and commercial spaces. Property maintenance personnel are being instructed to remove the unit’s front panel and locate the vent door control lever located on the left side of the unit to ensure it is closed.

The units were manufactured in China for GE Appliances of Louisville, Kentucky where they were distributed for sale to authorized representatives and HVAC distributors nationwide from January 2010 through December 2013 for between $1,000 and $1,200.

Consumers are advised to immediately close the external vent door before operating the units and contact GE at 866-723-2697 to schedule a free repair. Customers with further concerns may visit GE’s website at www.geappliances.com/products/recall or www. Geappliances.com and navigate to the “Recall Information” tab.