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The American wing of the Chinese home appliance Gree has recalled 1.56 million dehumidifiers because of fire and burn hazards. As per a report published by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission on August 16, there have been 23 fires, 688 overheating complaints, and almost $168,000 worth of property damage associated with affected dehumidifiers.
The recall covers 42 dehumidifier models made between January 2011 and February 2014 under brand names like Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole, and Seabreeze. The CPSC shared a list of the model numbers, which can be found on the unit's back, front, or side.
The recalled dehumidifiers were sold widely at several convenience stores across the US, like Sam's Club, Home Depot, Sears, Lowe's, Walmart, and Menards. The products were priced between $110 and $400.
Gree dehumidifier: List of affected recall products and more
As per the US Consumer Product Safety Commission press release, several products from brands like Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole, and Seabreeze have been listed on the list.
The affected Kenmore model numbers and capacity are listed below:
The affected GE model numbers and capacities are listed below:
The affected model numbers and capacities for SoleusAir are:
As for Seabreeze and Norpole, the affected model numbers are DH470SB (70-pint) and NPDH30PG-1 (30-pint), respectively.
The release by the CPSC read:
“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.”
Gree has urged customers with affected dehumidifiers to immediately stop their usage, unplug the products, and contact the company for a refund.
Gree was found guilty of withholding from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission the fact that millions of the dehumidifiers it shipped to the USA were faulty and posed a fire hazard. As a result, on April 24, 2023, Gree was fined $500,000 in criminal penalties.
A fine and restitution payments to victims were imposed as part of a $91 million settlement with three affiliated Gree companies. This is the first time a criminal enforcement action against a corporation has been brought under the CPSA.
The Gree Companies—Gree USA, Gree Zhuhai, and Gree Hong Kong—knew their dehumidifiers were defective, didn't adhere to safety regulations, and may catch fire. Nevertheless, lawsuit records state they withheld this information from the CPSC for several months.
The Gree recall comes after, in June 2023, Research Products listed steam humidifiers containing "D" shaped electrode connectors sold under the brand names AprilAire, Coleman, Luxaire, Bryant, Carrier, and York as faulty. The recall was initiated after the company received 103 reports of overheating humidifiers resulting in residential fires and property damage worth $10 million.
