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When the air seems damp in your home and you’re concerned about mold building up, adding a dehumidifier looks like a logical move. Yet, in the case of two recent recalls, setting up these devices caused more destruction than unchecked moisture can. Particularly, the dehumidifiers generated smoke or caught fire, subsequently resulting in millions of dollars in damage.
Gree Dehumidifier Recalls
Going as far back as 2013, Gree Electric Appliances of China announced a recall of its models, which are sold through various better-known brands in the U.S. In conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the manufacturer released an extended recall in fall 2016. To date, Gree’s dehumidifiers have generated 450 adverse reports, and the damage caused has increased from about $4.5 million to $19 million.
For this recent recall, the fourth to date, the CPSC fined Gree $15.45 million in March, claiming the company failed to report incidents of fires and knowingly misrepresented its products by putting UL safety marks on items not meeting these standards.
In the U.S., about 2.5 million units manufactured by Gree are being recalled for potential fire hazards, overheating, and smoke generation, which could damage homes and properties. The risks increase when the device overheats, which is a possibility when the dehumidifier is left on for hours at a time.
The list of recalled products encompasses 20-, 25-, 30-, 40-, 45-, 50-, 65-, and 70-pint models sold under brands Danby, De’Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, GE, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole, Premiere, Seabreeze, SoleusAir, and SuperClima. The devices were typically sold at a range of big-box retailers, as well as on Amazon and eBay, from 2005 through 2013. If you’re unsure about whether you have a recalled dehumidifier, models have both the brand and pint capacity printed on the front.
Even if your device hasn’t caused a fire, the CPSC recommends that consumers reach out to the brand for a return kit and instructions.
As a result of Gree’s multiple recalls, consumers and even the brands have started filing lawsuits. Soleus International took this move in 2013; after the manufacturer reported the dehumidifiers’ defects to U.S. regulators, Gree pressured the brand to hide consumer complaints and then retaliated against the company when it didn’t.
Additionally, consumers allege Gree had been aware of the products’ defects but didn’t issue a warning in time. Further, after the earlier recalls, those who attempted to get a refund from Gree claim they experienced delays, never received enough to purchase a new dehumidifier, and had to pay recycling fees to get rid of the defective system.
GD Midea Recall
In a similar scenario, another Chinese-based manufacturer, GD Midea, had to recall 3.4 million of its units, which caused about $4.8 million in property damage due to smoke and fire hazards. To date, GD Midea’s products have received 38 negative reports.
Like Gree’s dehumidifiers, these units were sold at U.S. big-box stores from 2003 through 2013. Those recalled include 25-, 30-, 40-, 50-, 60-, 65-, and 70-pint models sold under a long list of brands: Airworks, Alen, Arcticaire, Arctic King, Beaumark, Coolworks, ComfortAire, Comfort Star, Continental Electric, Crosley, Daewoo, Danby, Danby & Designer, Dayton, Degree, Diplomat, Edgestar, Excell, Fellini, Forest Air, Frigidaire, GE, Grunaire, Hanover, Honeywell, Homestyles, Hyundai, Ideal Air, Keystone, Kul, Midea, Nantucket, Ocean Breeze, Pelonis, Perfect Aire, Perfect Home, Polar Wind, Premiere, Professional Series, Royal Sovereign, Simplicity, Sunbeam, SPT, Sylvania, TGM, Touch Point, Trutemp, Uberhaus, Westpointe, Winix, and Winixl.
For this recall, consumers are advised to contact the manufacturer for a replacement unit or a refund.
