SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20180211-4548D-2147392992. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: General Electric Zoneline AZ61H12DAB (GE Zoneline PTAC heating and cooling, through the wall unit.). Incident: On December 14, 2017, we were informed that the GE Zoneline PTAC heating and cooling unit, which was installed one year and two months prior in the bedroom of an apartment we rent in the District of Columbia, popped and started smoking. The company that sold us the unit, Glenmont, inspected it on December 16 and stated the "control panel was burned." As several GE Zoneline units have been recalled for risk of fire, we called a GE customer service representative (1-800-386-1215, ext. 5031, Reference No. #[REDACTED]) for help. The GE recall site states "Moisture from outdoor air can accumulate near the unit's heater when the unit is operated with the vent door continuously open. This, along with two shorted electrical components, can create an electrical ground path and arcing, posing a risk of fire." The GE representative stated the unit had not been recalled and therefore, GE would not repair or replace the unit. He did say, however, the incident was most likely due to moisture. Glenmont stated the unit did not have a warranty and also refused to repair or replace the unit. We decided to purchase another unit a little over one year after purchasing the one that burned and paid the tenants their demand of $1355 for rent credit, damages and for "stress and emotional" impact.