Approximately 1.7 million air conditioners voluntarily recalled for potential mold exposure
Approximately 1.7 million air conditioners are being recalled due to the potential for mold exposure.
According to a notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, water may pool in Midea's U and U+ window air conditioners and "can fail to drain quickly enough, which can lead to mold growth."
Mold growth and exposure to mold can lead to health problems including respiratory issues like a cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, wheezing or itchy eyes and skin issues such as a rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with conditions like asthma or have a mold allergy may have a severe reaction, including a fever or shortness of breath when they come into contact with mold, and immuno-compromised individuals or those with a chronic lung condition may also develop an infection in the lungs.
Midea says it has received at least 152 reports of mold in air conditioners, including 17 reports of people experiencing respiratory symptoms, including allergic reactions, coughing, sneezing and/or sore throats and infections.
The window air conditioners impacted by the recall were made by Midea and sold under multiple brand names including Midea, Comfort Aire, Danby, Frigidaire, Insignia, Keystone, LBG Products, Mr. Cool, Perfect Aire and Sea Breeze. They retailed between $280 and $500 and were sold from March 2020 through May 2025 at Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Menards and other stores nationwide, as well as online at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, BJs.com, Costco.com, HomeDepot.com, Lowes.com, Menards.com, Midea.com, Walmart.com and other websites.
Brand names are printed on the recalled AC units with model numbers listed on labels affixed to the front right side (when facing the air conditioner) of each unit. The recalled units were made in China and Thailand.
A full list of the recalled air conditioners and their model numbers can be found on the CPSC notice and Midea recall website.
Recalled air conditioner units were sold in 8,000, 10,000 and 12,000 BTU versions. They are white in color and about 22 inches wide and 14 inches high. They also include remote controls that can be controlled via mobile app.
Those with recalled air conditioners are advised to participate in the recall immediately and reach out to Midea for a free repair or a full or prorated refund that is based on the purchase date or manufacture date.
For a repair, customers are asked to contact Midea to set up technician visit, during which the technician will install a new drain plug or send a repair kit that includes a new drain plug and bubble level, depending on the air conditioner model. Anyone who wishes to continue to use a recalled air conditioner while waiting for a repair is advised to visit www.MideaUrecall.expertinquiry.com for instructions on how to inspect the unit before continuing usage.
In order to receive a refund, customers are asked to "unplug the product, cut the power cord, and write 'Recalled' on the product, submit photographic evidence of doing so, and dispose of it in accordance with your local waste disposal requirements," the company states on its recall website.
Reached for comment, a Midea spokesperson directed ABC News to the CPSC recall notice.
