Thousands of air conditioners throughout the US have been recalled just as a 'mega' heat dome prepares to broil over 30 states with dangerous heat and humidity.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned consumers to immediately stop using over 13,000 Amana window air conditioners and through-the-wall units due to a serious risk of fire.

According to CPSC, the problem stems from a heating element that can stay on and energized even when the air conditioner is supposed to be off. This can lead to the unit overheating, melting its plastic components and starting a fire. 

Amana said that the faulty units were sold nationwide and were purchased between April 2025 and December 2025, mainly through dealers and direct sales, for $850 to $1,500.

The impacted through-the-wall (TTW) air conditioning units feature model numbers PBH113J35AA, PBH093J35AA, PBH073J35AA, PBE123J35AA, or PBE093J35AA should stop using their AC immediately.

As for the air conditioning window units, anyone with the model numbers AH183J35AA, AH123J35AA, AH093J35AA, AE183J35AA, AE123J35AA and AE093J35AA is at risk of their units starting a fire and should pull the AC at once.

The model and serial numbers of the affected air conditioners are on the front bottom of the base pan, which is visible when the plastic covering is removed. 

The news of the recall comes as a historic heatwave blankets roughly two-thirds of the US, and weather officials are urging Americans to stay indoors and in air-conditioned rooms. 

Amana has urged users to contact their parent company and the unit's manufacturer, Daikin Comfort Technologies, for a full refund. 

So far, Daikin Comfort Technologies has received one report of the heating element melting the AC's plastic covering.

However, no injuries have been reported due to the recalled units.

Amana said in a statement: '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 cut cord in order to receive a full refund of the unit.'

Anyone with the affected units is urged to call 855-812-8989 during the company's business hours of 9am to 6pm ET, Monday through Friday, or visit the Amana recall page.

'Recalled units have a model number beginning with PB, AH, or AE. The serial number is under the bar code that is under the model number,' the company added.

An additional 53 air conditioners were sold to consumers in Canada and have been recalled as well.

Between 2017 and 2019, CPSC estimated that air conditioners were involved in 1,400 fires throughout the US each year.

The recall will likely impact many Americans bracing for the first major heatwave of the 2026 summer season, with high heat and humidity triggering extreme health warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS). 

A heat dome works like a lid of high pressure. It builds overhead, trapping hot air at the surface level, suppressing clouds and intensifying sunlight.

Meteorologists have called this particular summer event a 'mega' or 'double heat dome' because two separate high-pressure systems, one over the Southwest and another being influenced by the subtropical Atlantic, have merged into one massive dome over the US.

Temperatures are expected to start rising today and peak at dangerously high levels by Thursday, with states from New York to Kansas preparing for the heat index to surpass 105 degrees Fahrenheit this week.

AccuWeather meteorologist Matt Benz warned in a statement: 'While temperatures during the day will be dangerous, the lack of any relief from the heat and humidity at night can be especially stifling and even deadly, especially for those who don't have air conditioning.' 

High heat index values can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke within minutes of exposure.

Since humid air is already full of moisture, sweat evaporates much more slowly. That means your body cannot cool down well and it feels hotter than the actual thermometer says.

Elderly adults, children, those with chronic health issues, and those without air conditioning are expected to be at the greatest risk during the widespread humidity-induced heatwave.

Heat exhaustion often starts with heavy sweating, fatigue, developing cool, pale, clammy skin and a fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea and headaches.

As for heat stroke, which is far more deadly and can develop within 15 minutes in extreme conditions, the first symptoms are often a throbbing headache, confusion, slurred speech, nausea, dizziness, and a fever above 103°F.