1.7 million window AC units recalled nationwide

With extreme heat plaguing Western Pennsylvania, window air conditioners are working overtime across the region. But residents should double check their model.

Midea recently recalled about 1.7 million U and U+ window air conditioners nationwide for risk of mold exposure, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Included in the recall is the popular Midea U MAW08V1QWT — the New York Times Wirecutter’s favorite window air conditioner for five years running.

Despite being made by Media, the recalled window air conditioners were sold in brand names including Midea, Comfort Aire, Danby, Frigidaire, Insignia, Keystone, LBG Products, Mr. Cool, Perfect Aire and Sea Breeze.

The recall, issued June 5, said pooled water in the air conditioners could fail to drain quickly enough — leading to mold growth. And mold exposure poses risks of respiratory issues or other infections to some consumers, the commission said.

The affected air conditioners were sold at Costco, Menards, Home Depot, Best Buy and other stores nationwide, as well as online at Midea, Amazon, Costco, Menards, HomeDepot, Lowes, Walmart, BJs, BestBuy and other websites from March 2020 through May 2025. They were priced between $280 and $500.

An additional 45,900 air conditioners affected were sold in Canada.

According to the recall, the air conditioners were sold in three sizes of cooling power — 8,000, 10,000 and 12,000 BTU — and measure about 22 inches wide and 14 inches high.

Specific model numbers affected, according to USA Today, include:

• Comfort Aire: RXTS-101A, RXTS-121A, RXTS-81A
• Danby: DAC080B6IWDB-6, DAC080B7IWDB-6, DAC100B6IWDB-6
• Frigidaire: GHWQ125WD1, GHWQ105WD1, GHWQ085WD1
• Insignia: NS-AC8WU3-C, NS-AC8WU3
• Keystone: KSTAW12UA, KSTAW10UA, KSTAW08UA
• LBG Products: QB-8K CO
• Midea: MAW08AV1QWT, MAW08AV1QWT-C, MAW08U1QWT, MAW08V1QWT, MAW08V1QWT-S, MAW08V1QWT-T, MAW08W1QWT, MAW10U1QWT, MAW10V1QWT, MAW10W1QWT, MAW12AV1QWT, MAW12AV1QWT-C, MAW12U1QWT, MAW12V1QWT, MAW12V1QWT-M, MAW12V1QWT-S, MAW12W1QWT
• Mr. Cool: MWUC12T115, MWUC10T115, MWUC08T115
• Perfect Aire: 1PACU8000, 1PACU12000, 1PACU10000
• Sea Breeze: MWAUQB-12CRFN8-BCN10, WAU310YREX, WAU312YREX, WAU38YREX

People who own the models should contact Midea for a full repair or a full or prorated refund based on the purchase or manufacturing date in one of the following ways:

• Call toll-free at 888-345-0256 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
• Email midea4028@midea.com
• Visit www.MideaUrecall.expertinquiry.com or www.midea.com/us and click on “RECALL INFORMATION”

The commission said there have been at least 152 reports of mold in the air conditioners, including 17 reports of consumers experiencing symptoms such as respiratory infections, allergic reactions, coughing, sneezing and/or sore throats from mold exposure.

Midea will repackage its ACs with the same DIY repair kit that it’s sending out to customers for the recall, and the updated boxes will be marked with a sticker noting the repair kit contained within, the Times reported. The company said it expects most of the stock returning to the usual levels by early July.