As a dangerous heat wave pushes people to lean on their air conditioners, a manufacturer and federal safety officials are warning that thousands of units carry a hidden fire hazard. Anyone who recently bought an air conditioner is being urged to check the brand name and model number.
The warning centers on Texas-based Daikin Comfort Technologies, which is recalling more than 13,500 Amana-brand air conditioners and heat pumps sold across the country. The recall covers both window units and through-the-wall models.
At the heart of the problem is an electrical defect. Federal safety officials said the affected units can remain electrically charged even after they are switched off, with a heating element that can stay energized and keep generating heat as long as the unit is plugged into an outlet.
That fault, described as a ground fault, creates a serious danger. Because heat can keep building even when the machine appears to be off, the internal components and surrounding plastic can melt or catch fire, raising the risk of both fires and burn injuries.
Owners can identify the recalled products by their model numbers. The affected air conditioners and heat pumps have model numbers that begin with PB, AH or AE, and the units were sold nationwide during 2025 for roughly $850 to $1,500 through dealers and direct sales.
Officials say the safest course is to stop using the units right away. Consumers are advised to unplug the recalled products immediately and contact Daikin Comfort Technologies to request a full refund rather than continuing to run a device that could overheat.
So far, the reported damage has been limited. The company has received at least one confirmed report of a unit's plastic frame melting, and no injuries have been reported, though the recall is meant to head off a more serious incident before one occurs.
The timing has sharpened the concern. With extreme heat gripping much of the country and air conditioners running around the clock, a defect that can turn a cooling unit into a fire risk has taken on added urgency, and officials are pressing owners to check their units and act.