dehumidifer recalls!

[Starjammir]

Wanted to post this here. Mine is on the list. On another forum I'm on his basement caught fire in September from one of these so I wanted to throw it up here too!!http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Gree-Recalls-12-Brands-of-Dehumidifiers/

 

[58Yeoman]

Thanks. I checked mine, and it's not on the list, which is surprising since it was made in China...

 

[Midnight_America]

One I used to have (a Soleus with the listed date range) is on the recall list. I bought it on 04/03/2010 at Menards. I Paid over $200 for the damn thing. When it was approx one month out of warranty (05/22/11) I noticed that it had been running constantly for at least two days but not producing any water ouput thru the drain hose. It was also producing a burning smell which was only noticable when the unit was manually switched off. After taking the unit apart, I determined that the burning smell was the compressor, which was hotter than hell - rubber parts were already starting to melt. Since it was out of warranty, I trashed it. I have OCD, so I keep track of serial numbers, dates, date codes, and written logs of any maintenance I perform on anything. Since I no longer have the dehumidifier in my possession, am I eligible for the refund? While I do have my Charge Card statement from 2010 showing a purchase at Menards, I don't think I kept the receipt that specifically shows I bought the humidifier in question. I'm guessing that I am not eligible for the refund since I no longer own the product. Would have been nice to get the refund.

 

[signcrafter]

One I used to have (a Soleus with the listed date range) is on the recall list. I bought it on 04/03/2010 at Menards. I Paid over $200 for the damn thing. When it was approx one month out of warranty (05/22/11) I noticed that it had been running constantly for at least two days but not producing any water ouput thru the drain hose. It was also producing a burning smell which was only noticable when the unit was manually switched off. After taking the unit apart, I determined that the burning smell was the compressor, which was hotter than hell - rubber parts were already starting to melt. Since it was out of warranty, I trashed it. I have OCD, so I keep track of serial numbers, dates, date codes, and written logs of any maintenance I perform on anything. Since I no longer have the dehumidifier in my possession, am I eligible for the refund? While I do have my Charge Card statement from 2010 showing a purchase at Menards, I don't think I kept the receipt that specifically shows I bought the humidifier in question. I'm guessing that I am not eligible for the refund since I no longer own the product. Would have been nice to get the refund.

If you have the serial number and model number I would call and try. Yours almost started on fire and that's what the recall is for. It's not like yours broke and you're trying to scam a free one. Yours broke due to the recall. Try it, the worst they can do is say no.

 

[cowboyjosh]

I am buddies with a guy from a small town in Ohio. A friend of his from HS had a house fire earlier this summer, took out 3/4 of the 500k house. In the same small town (population 3500) last year children came home from school to find the house full of smoke. In both cases the cause was a recalled dehumidifier.

 

[cowboyjosh]

One I used to have (a Soleus with the listed date range) is on the recall list. I bought it on 04/03/2010 at Menards. I Paid over $200 for the damn thing. When it was approx one month out of warranty (05/22/11) I noticed that it had been running constantly for at least two days but not producing any water ouput thru the drain hose. It was also producing a burning smell which was only noticable when the unit was manually switched off. After taking the unit apart, I determined that the burning smell was the compressor, which was hotter than hell - rubber parts were already starting to melt. Since it was out of warranty, I trashed it. I have OCD, so I keep track of serial numbers, dates, date codes, and written logs of any maintenance I perform on anything. Since I no longer have the dehumidifier in my possession, am I eligible for the refund? While I do have my Charge Card statement from 2010 showing a purchase at Menards, I don't think I kept the receipt that specifically shows I bought the humidifier in question. I'm guessing that I am not eligible for the refund since I no longer own the product. Would have been nice to get the refund.

Damn your lucky you didn't have a fire.

 

[zkling]

Starjammer, thank you very much for posting this. Unfortunately both of our units are on the list. Looks like I know how I will be spending luch time on Monday.

When I bought these, new from Lowes, Soleus Air, they seemed to get some of the better reviews for lower priced units. What brands do you think I should try now? These replaced 15+ year old whirlpool units. Less than 1 year ago.

 

[WQ59B]

I just got a recall notice for the 2nd dehumidifier in the last 2 years. Different brands, too. WTH- this is NOT a new concept; stop cutting corners and build it right!

 

[58Yeoman]

I didn't post the name of mine, which is Continental. It just keeps chugging away in the basement. I don't remember where I got it.

 

[Gary S]

Mine isn't on the list, but other Frigidaire models close to mine are on that list. I got mine at Menards a few years ago, and it has worked great whenever I need it. I need it only in Summer when we get a stretch of hot weather. Winter weather is dry enough so humidity isn't a problem.

 

[Tdbo]

Unfortunately for me, I was fortunate enough to own one of the recalled units (thanks to Menards.) Never received any notification of the recall (even though I registered the unit.) I heard about the recall by listening to the Handyman's show on WJR. Got on line and filled out the information requested. Two weeks later, got an envelope with a second envelope in which I had to take 2 ID stickers off the unit, cut the cord with the sticker on the cord and the plug, and mail back in a postage due envelope. Been almost a month and have heard nada (or seen a check.) It will be interesting to see if I ever see a cent.
The next question is who builds a decent dehumidifier anymore?

 

[WQ59B]

Like oil filters, this time we find ourselves in generally means few manufacturers and many brand names. My recall listed the following: Kenmore, Soleusair, Danby, Premiere, De'Longhi, SuperClima, Fedders, Fellini, Gree, Norpole, Seabreeze & Fridigaire. The recall notice is from Gree (Zhuhai China), they must make the bulk of the mechanicals.

 

[Midnight_America]

I just wanted to followup with fellow GJ members concerning my situation regarding the dehumidifier recall. I called the Gree Recall Hotline this afternoon. I told the CSR that I have the units model number, the 11-digit serial number, both the 14-digit & 11-digit date code and identification numbers from the dehumidifier, the date & location of where I purchased it, and how much I paid for it. I explained to the CSR that I disposed of the appliance on 05/22/11 when it started to produce smoke. She said that for me to receive reimbursement per the recall rules, I would need to mail to Gree the name plate sticker (which has the serial number and the 14-digit & 11-digit ID numbers imprinted upon it), the power cord and plug from the unit, and the warning sticker from the power cord. I told the CSR that those things were long gone. She said that I was therefore not eligible for any reimbursement. Lesson learned...ALWAYS file a report with the CPSC when anything you have bought creates a dangerous and/or unexpected situation. Then store the item for years and years until the CPSC finally, if ever, creates a Recall for the item. I can see Gree's point of view, wanting physical proof of ownership before mailing anyone a reimbursement check. Why should they trust me? On the other hand, I trusted them when I bought the dehumidifier, assuming that they did their DD concerning the appliances design and testing so that the damn thing wouldn't try to burn down my house. Gree is the manufacturer of the dehumidifier (Frigidaire) I currently have in my shop. I think I'll unplug it and leave it unplugged. End of my minor rant...I feel a little bit better now.

 

[442stu]

FYI - I had a frigidaire 70 pint unit **** out on me earlier this year, just as the recall notice happened. It was not covered by the recall, but I contacted frigidaire and they offered to buy it back. I told them I had purchased it in 2009 and no longer had the receipt, etc. I just sent the the sticker off the unit, and in a few weeks I received a pre-paid card for $229. Not bad customer service, but just the fact they sold out and had in made in China by Gree pissed me off a bit.

Does anyone know of a decent unit to buy today? Seems they're all the same, come from the same factory, and have a 1 year warranty. My mom has a sears unit in her for over 40 years and it's still going strong...