General Electric heaters or heating systems

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. No incident, no one hurt

   Made Mar 28, 2023 · , sent to the company Apr 3, 2023 · , published by CPSC Apr 17, 2023

   The product, in the report: In-Wall, Heater - Air Conditioner. Heat Pump. (Similar design + concept to the the millions of in-wall heater-air conditioning units used in Hotels & Motels.

   GE - General Electric; Zoneline In-Wall Heat Pump Heater / Air-Conditioning Unit. MODEL #: AZ55H09DABM1 SERIAL #: TF 650149

   Currently, there’s an Open recall on limited Serial Numbers of the GE Zoneline HVAC Units listed on the following link’s recall notice. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2016/GE-Recalls-GE-Air-Conditioning-and-Heating-Units

   Our same exact Model Name / SAME EXACT BODY STYLE Zoneline unit drips water - in exactly the same electrical component AREAS mentioned in the Recall - and also above where the Electrical Plugs + Cords are located. HOWEVER, our particular Serial Number is NOT included in the Recall. I called GE’s Recall Assistance Line ( 866-723-2697 ) and GE has advised that they will not do a courtesy repair of the unit similar to the repairs being done on the Recalled Units.

   That being said, I do believe very strongly that the Existing Recall should be expanded to cover similar units. Such an expansion could affect tens of thousands of similar GE Zoneline HVAC Units. And it’s curious as to how and why our unit / similar units are not included in the recall.

   Also noteworthy, is that our unit doesn’t appear to have an “indoor-outdoor air vent” option. Our unit heats and cools INDOOR AIR ONLY. So there isn’t an option to fix the problem by way of shutting a vent or a valve.

   ALSO NOTEWORTHY is how the water pools and puddles indoors, outside the view of most consumers. And also where a small child, pet, or adult could come into contact with the water and/or become electrocuted by the water pooling and puddling around higher-than-standard voltage plugs. If the same unit leaked onto carpeting, there could be the creation of mold damage (we don’t have carpeting in this area). The unit can and does leak into the surrounding wall right around where the electrical components are located. (When I noticed it in Summer 2022, I placed a large pan under where the dripping occurred. But there’s clearly signs of long term water dripping, out of view of the home’s Senior Citizen Age Occupant - Owners.)

   GE Rep “[REDACTED]” advised that they won’t perform a courtesy repair or modification to our unit. She was also cagey about her location in the US, extension number, etc. (but given her dialect, I surmised that she COULD be in the Dakotas. ) 800-386-1215 GE Appliance Recall Center PO BOX 1780 RAPID CITY SD 57709

   Sincerely, Concerned Homeowner

   Model

   ZONELINE AZ55H09DABM1

   Serial number

   tf 650149

   Where

   Centerville, Ohio: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   No Relationship

   As this report names them

   Brand General Electric, made or sold by GE Appliances, a Haier company

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   No Incident, No Injury

2. No one hurt

   Made Feb 11, 2018 · , sent to the company Jun 1, 2018 · , published by CPSC Jun 15, 2018

   The product, in the report: GE Zoneline PTAC heating and cooling, through the wall unit.

   On December 14, 2017, we were informed that the GE Zoneline PTAC heating and cooling unit, which was installed one year and two months prior in the bedroom of an apartment we rent in the District of Columbia, popped and started smoking. The company that sold us the unit, Glenmont, inspected it on December 16 and stated the “control panel was burned.”

   As several GE Zoneline units have been recalled for risk of fire, we called a GE customer service representative (1-800-386-1215, ext. 5031, Reference No. #[REDACTED]) for help. The GE recall site states “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.”

   The GE representative stated the unit had not been recalled and therefore, GE would not repair or replace the unit. He did say, however, the incident was most likely due to moisture.

   Glenmont stated the unit did not have a warranty and also refused to repair or replace the unit.

   We decided to purchase another unit a little over one year after purchasing the one that burned and paid the tenants their demand of $1355 for rent credit, damages and for “stress and emotional” impact.

   Model

   Zoneline AZ61H12DAB

   Serial number

   GF375513

   Bought from

   Glenmont

   Bought

   Oct 7, 2016

   Where

   Washington, District of Columbia: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Female

   The reporter’s relation to them

   No Relationship

   As this report names them

   Brand General Electric, made or sold by GE Appliances, a Haier company

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources