PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs)

CPSC Recall #07-508 - November 29, 2006

Recall Summary

Recall Number07-508
Recall DateNovember 29, 2006
Remedy TypeInspect, Replace, Repair
Units AffectedAbout 10,580
ManufacturerQingdao Haier Air Conditioner, of Qingdao, China
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

Trane distributors sold the recalled units to commercial customers for use in locations such as hotels and office buildings from May 2006 to July 2006.

Product

PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs)

Description

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), The Trane Co., of Piscataway, N.J., is voluntarily recalling about 10,580 PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs). The heating element on these commercially installed units can become displaced and, if it contacts metal, could short circuit. If the electric heater on one of those units short-circuits, wiring problems on 265 volt models could allow the unit to remain energized while the unit's fan is turned off, causing it to overheat and smoke.Name of Product: PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs)Units: About 10,580Distributor: The Trane Co., of Piscataway, N.J.Manufacturer: Qingdao Haier Air Conditioner, of Qingdao, ChinaHazard: The heating element on these commercially installed units can become displaced and, if it contacts metal, could short circuit. If the electric heater on one of those units short-circuits, wiring problems on 265 volt models could allow the unit to remain energized while the unit's fan is turned off, causing it to overheat and smoke.Incidents/Injuries: Individuals installing units observed smoking and smelled a burning odor in three units during installation testing procedures. No injuries have been reported.Description: The recall includes 208, 230 and 265 volt models of the Trane PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs). They were manufactured from about March 2006 through July 2006. The date code is F06C through F06G, and is written on the unit's Manufacturer's Data Plate located behind the molded plastic cover above the power connection.The units have the following model numbers, also written on the Manufacturer's Data Plate:PTEE0701UAAPTEE1501UAAPTHE0902UAAPTEE0702UAAPTEE1502UAAPTHE1201UAAPTEE0901UAAPTHE0701UAAPTHE1202UAAPTEE0902UAAPTHE0702UAAPTHE1501UAAPTEE1201UAAPTHE0901UAAPTHE1502UAAPTEE1202UAA  Sold at: Trane distributors sold the recalled units to commercial customers for use in locations such as hotels and office buildings from May 2006 to July 2006.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: The power connectors are being rewired or replaced, and the heaters will be visually inspected and replaced as necessary in the 265 volt models. Although there have been no incidents with the 208 volt and 230 volt models, Trane is still inspecting these units as a precaution. Trane has contacted the affected customers directly.Contact: For more information, contact Trane at (800)235-2152 or at (931) 648-5047, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or write an email to [email protected]: The power connectors are being rewired or replaced, and the heaters will be visually inspected and replaced as necessary in the 265 volt models. Although there have been no incidents with the 208 volt and 230 volt models, Trane is still inspecting these units as a precaution. Trane has contacted the affected customers directly.Contact: For more information, contact Trane at (800)235-2152 or at (931) 648-5047, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or write an email to [email protected].

Hazard

The heating element on these commercially installed units can become displaced and, if it contacts metal, could short circuit. If the electric heater on one of those units short-circuits, wiring problems on 265 volt models could allow the unit to remain energized while the unit's fan is turned off, causing it to overheat and smoke.

Incidents & Injuries

Individuals installing units observed smoking and smelled a burning odor in three units during installation testing procedures. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

The power connectors are being rewired or replaced, and the heaters will be visually inspected and replaced as necessary in the 265 volt models. Although there have been no incidents with the 208 volt and 230 volt models, Trane is still inspecting these units as a precaution. Trane has contacted the affected customers directly.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Inspect, Replace, Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Inspect, Replace, Repair) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident, they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.