Restored Midea 12,000 BTU Smart Inverter U-Shaped Window Air Conditioner $259.99

stringz07

Today 10:06 AM

189 Posts

Joined Mar 2011

stringz07Today 10:06 AM

189 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank stringz07

This was a unit that had a recall recently due to mold issues (I think they didn't have a way to drain the moisture out before the recall, but they have a kit available for that now as well).

There are videos on YouTube on how to disassemble it to clean and remove mold, along with a few for how to prevent it from forming in the unit.

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Merconium

Today 11:40 AM

635 Posts

Joined Mar 2006

MerconiumToday 11:40 AM

635 Posts

Quote from stringz07

:

This was a unit that had a recall recently due to mold issues (I think they didn't have a way to drain the moisture out before the recall, but they have a kit available for that now as well). There are videos on YouTube on how to disassemble it to clean and remove mold, along with a few for how to prevent it from forming in the unit.

I didn't click (own a bunch hence deal alert), but I'd have to assume the "Restored" versions have had the repair, not least because the CSPC is involved in that recall.

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MrRetro

Today 12:05 PM

474 Posts

Joined Mar 2004

MrRetroToday 12:05 PM

474 Posts

Midea 8000 btu unit died 13 months after purchase. Error code even their support couldn't decipher. Company was no help, and I dispatched it to the trash before the recall so I was SOL. I'll stick to quality brands like Frederich going forward.

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ejordan525

Today 12:28 PM

92 Posts

Joined Jan 2015

ejordan525Today 12:28 PM

92 Posts

Quote from Merconium

:

I didn't click (own a bunch hence deal alert), but I'd have to assume the "Restored" versions have had the repair, not least because the CSPC is involved in that recall.

It's not really a "repair". All they do is send you a different drain plug that allows the condensate to drip out the back instead of collecting inside the unit.

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Merconium

Today 01:07 PM

635 Posts

Joined Mar 2006

MerconiumToday 01:07 PM

635 Posts

Quote from ejordan525

:

It's not really a "repair". All they do is send you a different drain plug that allows the condensate to drip out the back instead of collecting inside the unit.

Right, some other dude at the factory did it. I don't think folks should buy this expecting to mitigate mold out of the box or to have to order the plug kit (if even available anymore).

beerbaron22

Today 02:00 PM

290 Posts

Joined Jan 2015

beerbaron22Today 02:00 PM

290 Posts

Also, the "kit" helps but it's actually not really the problem. The problem is the blue cage fan that pushes the air, it's an absolute mold trap regardless. I cleaned two of them and it's horrible tedious work. It's not worth the hassle, as great as they are otherwise.

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UN0335

Today 03:01 PM

1,621 Posts

Joined Dec 2007

UN0335Today 03:01 PM

1,621 Posts

Quote from beerbaron22

:

Also, the "kit" helps but it's actually not really the problem. The problem is the blue cage fan that pushes the air, it's an absolute mold trap regardless. I cleaned two of them and it's horrible tedious work. It's not worth the hassle, as great as they are otherwise.

I use a battery powered hand-held pressure washer, it's a 5 minute job. A Water-Pik also works great, though quite a bit slower.

MikeAnnon

Today 03:37 PM

941 Posts

Joined Aug 2011

MikeAnnonToday 03:37 PM

941 Posts

I bought the 8K unit last year and replaced the old drain plugs with the new design supplied with the machine. In operation, the plugs did drain condensate though I think more slowly than my old AC. This year I will either try to modify the new plugs or just remove them completely and cover the empty holes with insect screen instead. No evidence of mold so far.

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TidalWaveOne

Today 03:44 PM

13,515 Posts

Joined Apr 2005

TidalWaveOneToday 03:44 PM

13,515 Posts

I'd feel safer buying it at Costco for $400 new... plus they will probably put it on sale at some point.

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DallasGG

Today 03:54 PM

1,636 Posts

Joined Feb 2010

DallasGGToday 03:54 PM

1,636 Posts

I bought this 12,000 btu Midea a/c unit new from Costco last year and had the "fix" done to it because I like this a/c unit so much. It's very quiet and cools efficiently and much easier on the electric bills. I'm amused when people think that having mold inside a window air conditioner is unusual. I had two Frigidaire a/c window units and a Danby a/c unit previous to this and they ALL eventually grew mold inside of them. If you live in a humid location like I do in Dallas, TX, they eventually get moldy inside, no matter how much water drains from them.

I just bought one of the restored/like new Midea 8,000 btu u-shaped window a/c units last week for $189 (I believe it's out of stock now though) from the same company that's selling this 12,000 btu one. It looks brand new and came with the replacement drain plugs which I'll replace. I haven't installed it yet but ran it just to make sure it works and it worked perfectly. I have no qualms about using this recalled a/c unit.

javaking_1000

Pro

Today 04:24 PM

1,210 Posts

Joined Jun 2009

javaking_1000

Pro

Today 04:24 PM

1,210 Posts

I keep saying I'm going to bite on one of these U shaped A/C deals. My current LG LW1216ER AIR Conditioner, however, is less than 10 years old and it has a 12.0 EER rating. I'm just not sure if I want to go to all the trouble of installing this thing for a marginal electricity savings. My window has a weird ledge on the bottom and I'm pretty sure it will require some modification to install. I rent and am on the second floor so not the best situation.

EDIT: I ran some VERY quick and dirty numbers and figure I would save about $100 per year with this Midea A/C. I think I'll just hold on to my current A/C for a few more years. I just don't have the juice to take on this install for $100 a year.

Last edited by javaking_1000 April 3, 2026 at 09:53 AM.

Johann1900

Today 04:59 PM

197 Posts

Joined Jun 2019

Johann1900Today 04:59 PM

197 Posts

Quote from UN0335

:

I use a battery powered hand-held pressure washer, it's a 5 minute job. A Water-Pik also works great, though quite a bit slower.

Can you just blast the fan while it's still mounted without take it out and disassembling?

JollyLake715

Today 05:01 PM

174 Posts

Joined Feb 2022

JollyLake715Today 05:01 PM

174 Posts

If you wait and keep an eye on Costco, they tend to have this at 250-300 new on clearance

sHockz_atx

Today 05:06 PM

2,732 Posts

Joined Nov 2008

sHockz_atxToday 05:06 PM

2,732 Posts

Quote from stringz07

:

This was a unit that had a recall recently due to mold issues (I think they didn't have a way to drain the moisture out before the recall, but they have a kit available for that now as well). There are videos on YouTube on how to disassemble it to clean and remove mold, along with a few for how to prevent it from forming in the unit.

Recently as in like....2 years ago? It wasnt a big deal. No mold here and I have one of the "affected" units. Wasnt hard to add a drain hole

Lucasizq

Original Poster

Today 05:33 PM

26 Posts

Joined Jan 2019

Lucasizq

Original Poster

Today 05:33 PM

26 Posts

Quote from TidalWaveOne

:

I'd feel safer buying it at Costco for $400 new... plus they will probably put it on sale at some point.

Very fair, I've been tracking a deal on this AC unit for the last 8 months and this is the only time I've seen it drop at all. If it goes on sale at Costco, I might return the one I just purchased and follow this.

Restored Midea 12,000 BTU Smart Inverter U-Shaped Window Air Conditioner $259.99

$260

$300

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