Midea is recalling its U-shaped air conditioners because of mold growth

Midea is recalling around 1.7 million of its U and U Plus window air conditioners sold in the US, plus another 45,900 sold in Canada. The air conditioners launched in 2020 with a unique U-shaped design that allowed windows to close with the unit installed, reducing the amount of noise heard while they were running. But the design can sometimes prevent water from draining quickly enough resulting in mold growth that “poses risks of respiratory issues or other infections to some consumers,” according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC).

The USPSC says it’s aware of “at least 152 reports of mold in the air conditioners, including 17 reports of consumers experiencing symptoms such as respiratory infections, allergic reactions, coughing, sneezing and/or sore throats from mold exposure.”

The affected units were sold under brand names that also include Danby, Frigidaire, Insignia, and Comfort Aire at stores like Costco, Menards, Home Depot, Best Buy, and Amazon. A full list of the recalled models is available on the USPSC and Midea websites, which includes 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 BTU options.

The company is offering both repairs and refunds of the recalled air conditioners. However, refunds are being prorated based on either the purchase date or the unit’s date of manufacture. If you’re okay with only getting a partial refund, Midea is asking consumers to send their air conditioners back to the company using a free shipping label to ensure they’re no longer in use, or provide a photo showing that the unit’s unplugged power cord has been cut.

Given the popularity of the air conditioners, it’s more likely that consumers will instead opt to contact Midea to arrange a free repair. Depending on the model, the company will either schedule a technician to come and install a new drain plug, or send consumers a DIY repair kit that includes the requisite hardware. Those who choose the repair route are encouraged to visit Midea’s website “for instructions on how to inspect their unit prior to continuing use.”