Mitsubishi issues safety recall for Ecodan heat pumps
Mitsubishi Electric UK has issued a product safety recall after a component failure in one of its Ecodan air-source heat pumps. The failure has occurred in just one of over 6000 Ecodan units installed in the UK over the last few years. 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 has the potential for injury if someone is close by.
John Kellett, general manager of the company’s domestic heating systems department, says, ‘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.
‘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.’
The company is continuing to sell the medium-sized W85 units made in Scotland. They are made using a different process and not affected by the recall.
Mitsubishi is writing to everyone affected instructing them to switch their Ecodan unit off and use their immersion heater to supply hot water. The company is also implementing a replacement programme with its installer base.
‘The decision to undertake a recall on any of our products is not an easy one, but product quality and safety remain paramount to everything we do,’ explains John Kellett. ‘We know something like this could damage faith in this growing market, so we are doing everything possible to make this process quick and straightforward.’
