240-volt air conditioners

CPSC Recall #01-116 — March 27, 2001

Recall Summary

Recall Number01-116
Recall DateMarch 27, 2001
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 17,000

Where It Was Sold

Department
appliance
home and hardware stores
and independent contractors sold these air conditioners nationwide from November 1998 through November 2000 for about $300.

Product

240-volt air conditioners

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), White Consolidated Industries Inc., of Cleveland, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling about 17,000 air conditioners. These air conditioners can short circuit posing a risk of fires, and shock and burn injuries to consumers.White Consolidated Industries Inc. has received one report of a fire because of a short circuit resulting in $14,000 in damage. No injuries have been reported.These are 240-volt air conditioners installed through the wall. They were sold under the following brands and model numbers: Frigidaire FAH096J2T1; White-Westinghouse WAH09EH2T1 and WAH096H2T1; Kenmore 253.79093990 and 253.70093000. The brand name is written on the front of the air conditioner under the control dial. The model number is written on a label inside the air conditioner, which can be viewed by lifting the filter in the front of the unit and reading the number through the slats.Department, appliance, home and hardware stores, and independent contractors sold these air conditioners nationwide from November 1998 through November 2000 for about $300.Consumers should stop using these units, and contact the company toll-free at (800) 374-4432 anytime to arrange for a free repair.

Hazard

These air conditioners can short circuit posing a risk of fires, and shock and burn injuries to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

White Consolidated Industries Inc. has received one report of a fire because of a short circuit resulting in $14,000 in damage. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these units, and contact the company toll-free at (800) 374-4432 anytime to arrange for a free repair.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a 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 (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.