Dehumidifiers make our homes comfortable by reducing humidity levels in the warmer months and removing musty smells caused by allergens, mold, and mildew. However, more than 4 million dehumidifiers made by Gree and New Widetech have been recalled over the last several years due to defects that cause them to overheat and catch on fire.
NEW RECALL
More Than Two Million Dehumidifiers Sold at Major Retailers Recalled by New Widetech
On August 4th 2021, more than 2.4 million dehumidifiers sold under 20 well-known brand names were recalled due to the risk that they could overheat and catch fire. The Chinese company New Widetech - that manufactured each product - said they are aware of 107 incidents of the recalled device overheating and/or igniting resulting in roughly $17 million in fire-related damage, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
About two million defective dehumidifiers were sold at big retailers nationwide, such as Lowe’s, Costco, Walmart, Menards for between $120 and $430 each. Another over 400,000 dehumidifiers were sold throughout Canada and Mexico.
The recall impacts 25-to-74- pint dehumidifiers including numerous models of respected brand names like AeonAir, Amana, ArctiAire (Danby), Classic (Danby/Home Hardware Stores), Commercial Cool, Danby, Danby Designer, Danby Premiere, De’Longhi, Edgestar, Friedrich, Generations (Danby), Haier, Honeywell (JMATEK/AirTek), Idylis, Ivation, perfect aire, SuperClima, Whirlpool and Whynter.
Dehumidifier Recalls and Devastating Fires
New Widtech’s recent advisory adds to the already extensive list of recalled dehumidifiers. First announced in September 2013, manufacturer Gree recalled approximately 2.5 million units sold under a number of familiar brand names, such as Kenmore, Frigidaire, GE, Danby, Premiere, De’Longhi, SuperClima, Fedders, Fellini, Norpole, Seabreeze, and SoleusAir.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “[t]he dehumidifier can overheat, smoke and catch fire, posing serious fire and burn hazards to consumers.”
At the time of the most recent recall, the CPSC identified more than 2,000 reported incidents of dehumidifiers overheating, approximately 450 catching and/or causing fires, and causing more than $19 million in property damage.
Approximately 2.5 million units sold in the United States, and about 55,000 units that were sold in Canada, have been recalled. This recall was first announced in September 2013, updated in October 2013, and expanded in January 2014. The recall was updated and re-announced in November of 2016. Yet, even with the extensive, multi-year recall, these units are still being used in homes in the U.S.
These dehumidifiers are manufactured in China were sold in department, home improvement, and online stores. It was common to see them on Amazon or eBay and on the shelves of Home Depot, HH Gregg, Kmart, Lowe’s, Menards, Mills Fleet Farm, Sam’s Club, Sears, Walmart, AAFES, and many others.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission
“This recall involves 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 65 and 70-pint dehumidifiers with brand names Danby, De’Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, GE, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole, Premiere, Seabreeze, SoleusAir and SuperClima. Recalled model numbers and date codes are listed below. The brand name and the pint capacity are printed on the front of the dehumidifier. The model number and date code are printed on a sticker on the back, front, or side of the unit. The dehumidifiers are white, beige, gray, or black plastic and measure between 19 and 24 inches tall, 13 and 15 inches wide, and 9 and 11 inches deep."
A list of all recalled models between the 2013 and 2021 recall can be found below.
AeonAir
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Amana
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
ArcticAire (Danby)
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Classic (Danby / Home Hardware Stores)
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Commercial Cool
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Danby
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Danby Designer
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Danby Premiere
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
De’Longhi
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
With respect to DDX45PE, only units within the following range of serial numbers are being recalled:
721 25 900053 P000001 through 721 25 900053 P000549
With respect to DDX50PE, only units within the following range of serial numbers are being recalled:
721 25 900053 P000001 through 721 25 900053 P000549
With respect to DDX70PE, only units within the following range of serial numbers are being recalled:
721 25 900053 P000001 through 721 25 900053 P000549
Edgestar
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Friedrich
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Generations (Danby)
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Haier
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Honeywell (JMATEK / AirTek)
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
With respect to DH45W, only units within the following range of serial numbers are being recalled:
1501/000001 through 1501/000924
With respect to DH50W, only units within the following range of serial numbers are being recalled:
1412/000001 through 1412/000850
1501/000001 through 1501/002774
1503/002775 through 1503/005170
1504/005171 through 1504/006546
With respect to DH70W, only units within the following range of serial numbers are being recalled:
1412/000001 through 1412/001020
1501/000001 through 1501/003798
1503/003799 through 1503/008436
1504/008437 through 1504/012070
Idylis
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Ivation
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
With respect to IVADH30PW, only units within the following range of serial numbers are being recalled:
E161017011212600001 through E161017011212601218
17010001 through 17011218
17030001 through 17031218
With respect to IVADH70PW, only units within the following range of serial numbers are being recalled:
16050001 through 16050710
17010001 through 17010712
17030001 through 17030712
17030001 through 17030712
SuperClima
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Whirlpool
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Whynter
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
perfect aire
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Danby or Premiere
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
De'Longhi or SuperClima
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Fedders
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Fellini
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Frigidaire
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
GE
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Gree
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Kenmore
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Norpole
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Seabreeze
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
SoleusAir
Model number
Capacity
Date code range
Contact our Chicago Product Liability Litigation Team for Help
House fires are devastating. Homeowners are faced with deciding how to repair the physical damages to their homes while also coming to terms with the destruction of both replaceable valuables and irreplaceable family heirlooms. Families also may have to heal from physical and emotional injuries caused by the blaze.
At Meyers & Flowers, our litigation team is prepared to assist those who have suffered a fire in their home due to defective dehumidifiers. Our trial lawyers have garnered a reputation for excellence in the courtroom, and we offer our assistance for your case.
Connect with us at once if you or your family member was injured due to a dehumidifier fire – we offer a free case evaluation and can advise you how to proceed with legal action.