Daikin Recalls 4,700 Amana Through-Wall Air Conditioners Over Snubber Circuit Fire Risk

Regulators and manufacturers insist that a fire hazard in a wall-mounted air conditioner demands immediate, permanent deactivation to protect a building. But for property managers and homeowners, the mandated remedy—taking a pair of shears to the power cord of a $900 appliance before a refund is even processed—feels like a leap of faith that leaves them sweating in the interim.

On September 3, 2026, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada jointly announced the recall of roughly 4,759 Amana through-the-wall air conditioners and heat pumps. Manufactured by Daikin Comfort Technologies, the units contain a control board component that can fail catastrophically.[1][2]

The hazard centers on the snubber circuit, a small protective component designed to absorb voltage spikes so the surrounding electronics survive. According to the official Health Canada alert, "The snubber circuit can emit flames if it shorts, posing a risk of serious injury due to fire hazard."[2]

Daikin has received two reports of the component shorting in the United States, with no injuries reported to date. Approximately 4,633 of the affected units were sold across the U.S., with an additional 126 distributed in Canada between April 2025 and June 2026.[1][2][4]

The recall covers four specific models—three air conditioners and one heat pump—that typically retail between $625 and $900. Because these are through-the-wall units rather than standard window boxes, they are the equipment of choice for condominium buildings, apartment complexes, and hotel rooms, meaning they are often hardwired or plugged directly into living spaces.[1][3]

The tension for consumers lies in the refund mechanics. The CPSC directive states that "consumers will be required to provide their contact information, cut the product's cord, and then upload a photo of the product's serial number and the cut cord to receive a full refund of the unit."[1]

This destroy-and-photograph condition is absolute. As Homeowner.ca notes in its analysis of the Canadian rollout, "The refund is conditional on destroying the unit," warning buyers that "cutting the cord is irreversible and ends the unit's working life at the moment you do it."[3]

Owners must locate the white sticker on the front edge of the base pan to verify their model number, which will begin with the letters PB. Daikin has established a dedicated toll-free line and a web portal to process the claims, but until the cord is severed and the photos are approved, the financial burden of replacing the built-in climate control remains entirely on the resident.[1][3]