November 5, 2015 — The Consume Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a recall for about 33,500 GE Zoneline® commercial air conditioners and heating units due to the risk of fire.
Three reports of smoke and/or fire have been reported, including one incident that resulted in $30,000 worth of property damage. No injuries have been reported.
The problem is a short-circuit can form due to water accumulating near the heater when the vent door is left open. According to the recall notice:
“Moisture from outdoor air can accumulate near the unit’s heater when the unit is operated with the vent door continuously open. This, along with two shorted electrical components, can create an electrical ground path and arcing, posing a risk of fire.”
Click here to visit the recall website for a complete list of recalled model and serial numbers.
The products have a GE logo affixed to the control panel door on the front of the unit. Model numbers Z40E09E, AZ41E07E, AZ41E09E, AZ41E12E, AZ41E15E, AZ61H07E, AZ61H09E, AZ61H12E, and AZ61H15E are included in the recall.
The affected models were sold nationwide from January 2010 through December 2013 for $1,000-1,200. The units are mostly used in commercial spaces, apartments, and hotels.
GE asks customers to contact the company to schedule a free repair. In the meantime, maintenance workers should remove the front panel, locate the vent door lever on the left side of the unit, and make sure it is closed. The unit should not be operated with the external vent door open.
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