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By Mandy Taheri
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As summer temperatures climb and residents scramble to install their trusty window units—many taking cues from the curated New York Times' Wirecutter and New York Magazine's The Strategist annual best-of list—millions of the most recommended models are now under recall, linked to risks of respiratory problems.
Newsweek has reached out to Midea's recall press team for comment via email on Thursday.
Why It Matters
Midea, one of the world's top-selling air conditioning brands, has consistently topped recommendation lists with its U-shaped units, praised for their sleek design, quiet performance, and improved window access compared to traditional models.
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The recall comes at a critical time, as summer heat intensifies, and many may be left without air conditioning just when they need it most.
It also raises health concerns about mold, which can trigger a range of health problems in different individuals.
What to Know
The coveted Midea U-shaped air conditioners, which blew out of stock across several retailers, including Costco, are now being recalled.
In a June 5 announcement, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) noted that nearly 1.7 million Midea U and U+ shaped window air conditioners have been recalled after "pooled water in the air conditioners can fail to drain quickly enough, which can lead to mold growth." An additional 45,900 units were sold in Canada.
The CPSC says it is "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."
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Mold exposure can cause a range of health issues, including a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, skin rashes and allergic reactions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions may also be at risk of developing infections.
"If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the model and fix the moisture problem," the CDC recommends.
Many air conditioners are prone to mold buildup due to moisture. Midea's U-shaped design may make mold easier to spot due to its more open and accessible interior.
The recall affects dozens of model numbers of window air conditioning units, including those with cooling capacities of 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 BTUs. The company says those who have any of the impacted models "should participate in the recall immediately."
The company is offering customers either a repair or a refund, either full or prorated, based on the purchase date. If customers select a repair, Midea will "provide a technician to install a new drain plug or send consumers a repair kit that includes a new drain plug and bubble level, depending on the model," according to the company website.
The New York Times' Wirecutter reported that delivery of the kit will take two to three weeks. The article also noted that having listed Midea's U Shape air conditioner at the top of its list for five years, it had been investigating "sporadic allegations of mold issues" since 2023.
What Happens Next
The refund and repair process related to the recall is expected to take several weeks.
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