Trane & American Standard A/C, Heat Pump Settlement

Trane U.S. has agreed to settle with consumers who claimed that some of the company’s Trane brand and American Standard brand air conditioners and heat pumps possess a defective part and the company’s attempts to fix the problem actually made it worse.

Class Members include all U.S. residents who are current or former owners of Trane and American Standard 1.5 to 5-ton air conditioners and heat pumps with certain serial numbers. The full list of affected serial numbers can be found here.

Elaborating on this legal news, the settlement website explains that most affected units were manufactured between November 2013 and September 2014. However, some affected units were made as late as 2017. The website advises that those consumers who are unsure if they are in the Class or not can contact the settlement administrator at 800-528-7199.

Consumers filed the Trane defective AC class action lawsuit alleging that some Trane and American Standard air conditioners contain unapproved rust inhibitors. This reportedly causes sticky deposits to form in and clog the thermostatic expansion value (TXV), which can in turn, cause the air conditioners to fail. 

According to customers, Trane offered a repair to the failed air conditioners but this remedy was ineffective. Allegedly, service personnel used an acidic additive to break apart the deposits. However, according to the customers, this repair was not sufficient, because it can affect the long-term functionality of the compressor in the air conditioner.

The Trane air conditioner valve defect class action lawsuit asserts that Trane should have replaced the device to effectively fix the problem. 

In settling the Trane defective AC class action lawsuit, the company does not admit any wrongdoing, saying that the additive is not harmful. However, both the company and the consumers have agreed to settle in the interest of avoiding the costs and risks of continuing to litigate.

In the consumers’ eyes, settling was a good way to give a large group of affected customers compensation, whereas if the Trane AC class action lawsuit went to court and was unsuccessful, they could receive nothing.

Class Members are eligible to receive reimbursement for their out-of-pocket repair costs that consumers might have incurred in trying to deal with the alleged defect. Eligible repairs include: replacing the TXV or coil, injecting an additive (sometimes referred to as MJ-X, Zerol Ice, or A/C Renew) before the settlement’s effective date.

The Trane settlement website explains that reimbursement for TXV replacements are capped at $575 and reimbursement for additive injections are capped at $250. Class Members can make claims for both if they paid for both. 

The deadline to opt out of the settlement or to object to it is July 13, 2020. Class Members also are invited but not required to attend a final approval hearing set for Aug. 12, 2020.

The deadline to file a benefits claim is Sept. 25, 2020. They can be submitted either online or by mail.

The deadline to get a Preventative Additive Injection is Sept. 11, 2021.  To receive the injection, contact any local Trane/American Standard service provider or dealer and reference bulletin number UN-SVB020H-EN.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members include all U.S. residents who are current or former owners of Trane and American Standard 1.5 to 5-ton air conditioners and heat pumps with certain serial numbers.

The full list of affected serial numbers can be found on the settlement website. Most units included in the settlement were made between November 2013 and September 2014. However, some affected units were made as late as 2017.

Potential Award

Up to $825.

Class Members are eligible to receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair costs incurred dealing with the alleged defect. Eligible repairs include: replacing the TXV or coil, injecting an additive (sometimes referred to as MJ-X, Zerol Ice, or A/C Renew) before the settlement’s effective date.

The Trane US settlement website explains that reimbursement for TXV replacements are capped at $575 and reimbursement for additive injections are capped at $250. Class Members can make claims for both if they paid for both. 

Proof of Purchase

Evidence of repair, such as a work order. The settlement website explains that Class Members seeking compensation from a coil replacement must provide evidence that it was replaced because of a stuck TXV.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

9/25/2020 to file a claim for benefits

9/11/2021 to receive a Preventative Additive Injection

Case Name

Livingston, et al v. Trane U.S. Inc, Case No. 2:17-cv-06480, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey

Final Hearing

8/12/2020

UPDATE: The Trane & American Standard A/C, Heat Pump Settlement was granted final approval on August 12, 2020. Please note that claims will not be paid until after the claim deadline passes. Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.

Settlement Website

AirConditionerSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Class Counsel

Timothy N. Mathews
Zachary P. Beatty
CHIMICLES SCHWARTZ KRINER & DONALDSON-SMITH LLP

James C. Shah
SHEPHERD FINKELMAN MILLER & SHAH LLP

Defense Counsel

Gregory Ulmer
BAKER HOSTETLER

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