More than 1.5 million dehumidifiers recalled after 23 fires, covering brands including GE and Kenmore

More than 1.5 million dehumidifiers sold under brand names including GE and Kenmore are under a recall because of risk of fire and burns, with the units linked to 23 fires and 688 overheating incidents.

The units were manufactured by Gree USA, the U.S. arm of a Chinese appliance company, which has issued the recall because of the devices can “overheat, smoke and catch fire,” the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

The recall covers 1.56 million units sold under a variety of top brand names at major retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Sam’s Club, Sears and Walmart from 2011 through 2014. The dehumidifiers, which have caused $168,000 in property damage, should be immediately unplugged, the agency said. 

“Consumers should immediately stop use, unplug the dehumidifiers and contact Gree to receive a refund,” the CPSC said in a notice to consumers.

The recall covers 42 models sold under brand names including Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze. It’s the latest recall for Gree dehumidifiers, with the CPSC noting that they have previously been recalled in 2013, 2014 and 2016, with four deaths potentially linked to the devices due to house fires that may have been caused by the appliances.

How to get a refund

To get a refund, consumers should visit this Gree website and click on the “US Consumer Information Collection” link at the bottom of the page. You’ll be prompted to enter your email, and Gree said it will later notify consumers when they can register for the recall and obtain a refund.

The dehumidifiers sold for between $110 and $400.

Recalled Dehumidifier Models 

Kenmore

GE

SoleusAir

Seabreeze

Norpole