HATFIELD: Mitsubishi Electric UK has taken the unprecedented step of issuing a product safety recall after a component failure in one of its Ecodan air source heat pumps.
“We have installed more than 6000 of these units in the UK over the last few years and have had a single component failure in one of our units,” explains John Kellett, general manager of the company’s Domestic Heating Systems Department. “We are very aware that any incident with a heat pump has the potential to undermine confidence and we wanted customers to realise just how much importance we place on product reliability and safety.”
The power receiver component in one W85 (medium sized) unit failed under pressure seriously damaging the outdoor unit. This type of failure is only possible when the unit is operating, but should this happen while there is anyone in close proximity then there is the potential for injury and the company was not prepared to risk the possibility, however slight.
“We have examined the failed component in forensic detail, identified the supplier and manufacturing plant concerned and we have decided to err on the side of caution,” adds Mr Kellett.
The model numbers affected are: PUHZ-W50VHA; PUHZ-W50VHA-BS; PUHZ W85VHA; PUHZ W85VHA-BS; PUHZ W90VHA; PUHZ-HW140VHA; PUHZ-HW140VHA-BS; PUHZ-HW140YHA; PUHZ-HW140YHA-BS and PUHZ-HW140YHA2-BS. All sales have been stopped with immediate effect.
Mitsubishi Electric is continuing to sell the popular medium-sized W85 units manufactured in Scotland (PUHZ W85VHA2-BS). These are manufactured using a different process and are not affected by the recall.
“Although we have had a problem with just one unit, we have taken the decision to replace all units that could potentially be affected because we want to be confident that this problem will not occur again,” explains Mr Kellett.
Mitsubishi Electric is writing to everyone affected instructing them to switch their Ecodan unit off and use their immersion heater to supply their hot water for the time being. The company is also implementing a replacement programme with its installer base.
“This is obviously quite a task and it could mean that some customers may be without their heat pump for some weeks,” explains Kellett. “We are doing everything we can to get a replacement heat pump installed as soon as possible. We recognise the inconvenience this will cause and apologise sincerely.”
A dedicated webpage is being set up to help customers identify which models are affected at www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/response-team.
The company has also set up a free telephone line for homeowners which is open from 8am – 7pm Monday to Saturday on 0800 783 1764. Special advisors will be able to help customers with any general queries about the recall and the replacement unit will come with a new 3-year warranty.
