Rheem products are defective When consumers by a Rheem central air conditioner unit, they believe that the cooling unit will last for years, keeping their home cool in warm temperatures. Some consumers allege, however, that their Rheem products are defective, often completely breaking down, and costing them significant money to repair. Consumers allege that an internal component known as an evaporation coil is defective, which then leads the unit rupture and leak. Freon, or other refrigerants are used in cooling products, such as air conditioners. When a rupture and leak occurs, the unit is no longer able to cool the air.
What’s more, Rheem’s is, according to consumer allegations, not reimbursing consumers for repair costs. Our firm is pursuing a class action lawsuit on behalf of those consumers who have owned; own; or acquired homes, residences, buildings, or other structure in which Rheems air conditioners are installed.
Rheem is a large United States manufacturer of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products for residential use. Rheem consumer central air conditioning units are sold under its own trade name and under the Ruud trade.
Rheem Promises Quality Produces, May Not Deliver on Promises, Warranty
Rheem promises its customers that it provides, “Top-quality, innovative products with the latest technology, dependable performance, great warranties and excellent service and support. All of this is why we confidently say, ‘Relax, It’s Rheem.’” In fact, Rheem acknowledges on its website the significant cost associated with purchasing an air conditioning unit, writing, “Selecting an air conditioner for your home is a big decision. It’s an important investment today. It will play a key role in your home energy expenses for years to come. And when the summer heat is at its worst, you’ll want your family to have the best, most reliable cooling comfort possible.”
Of its warranty, Rheem writes that it “sets the standard of reliability to meet or exceed the high expectations for performance and durability of today’s homeowner. The Rheem reputation for durability and reliability is supported by our strong warranties.”
Consumers Allege the Need to Refill AC Units with Refrigerant Often; Ultimately Coil Failure Occurs
Meanwhile, air conditioners, such as Rheem’s, are constructed with a component that is critical to the system and is known as an evaporator coil. Within the coil, refrigerant absorbs heat from atmospheric air that moves over tube. This is, in essence, a heat exchange that serves to cool the air in the home. These coils have been traditionally made using copper tubing; however, these coils are specifically vulnerable to a degrading condition known as “formicary corrosion.”
Formicary corrosion, a chemical reaction, occurs between molecules that are known as volatile organic compounds and copper tubing. This happens in the microscopic tunnels within the tubing lead to the coil leaking refrigerant. The leakage is often difficult to detect, typically leading to consumers having to continually refill their air conditioners units with refrigerant, a costly move that simply masks the defect, but only for a short period of time, until ultimate coil failure occurs.
Volatile organic compounds are part of a group of carbon-based chemicals that are released during normal household activities and from a number of household products, including wood furniture and flooring, carpeting, cleaning products, air fresheners, and cosmetics, to name just some.
Rheem Coils are manufactured with materials that, within the industry, have long been known to be vulnerable to formicary corrosion, making the Rheem Coils unreasonably susceptible to early rupture and refrigerant leakage even under normal use. Rheem has not advised its customers of the Rheem air conditioners’ vulnerability to formicary corrosion and that there are replacement coils available that are not susceptible to this defect. Consumers allege that Rheem knew, or reasonably should have known, that its air conditioner coils are unreasonably susceptible to formicary corrosion and are defective, yet either neglected to or refused to advise consumers or initiate any similar action.
Rheem is also accused of not advising its consumers of what causes formicary corrosion, even when Rheem is replacing failed coils, leaving customers unable to make an informed decision about Rheem unit risks.
Need Legal Help Regarding Defective Rheem Air Conditioners?
We are available to assist anyone who has a Rheem central air conditioning system. Whether or not your Rheem unit has failed yet, you may be entitled to compensation under product liability laws. To find out more about your legal rights, complete our online form for a free evaluation of your case. You may also call our office at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) to speak with one of our product liability lawyers today.
Our lawyers for Class Suit are here to help you when you need it the most.