Apartment residents suffered without AC during heat wave

During the past couple of weeks of extreme heat and humidity with the heat index often exceeding 100 degrees, dozens of families at the Wedgewood Apartments in Annandale suffered without air conditioning.

According to an employee in the management office, more than 80 units were affected. The problem was due to a broken chiller, which has been fixed, she said.

Tenants who complained were lent fans and portable AC units.

Not too many people were walking around the complex outside on Wednesday afternoon, for obvious reasons. Sheikha, 16, who was in the pleasantly cool Wedgewood Community Center, said some families were still struggling and some had relocated to friends’ homes. Her family suffered with the heat for at least a week until management installed a portable AC unit.

Sammy, 9, who was cooling off in the pool, said it was so hot in his apartment, his mother couldn’t sleep.

“Hot air was coming out of the AC,” said his friend, Zaian, 13. “We couldn’t turn it off. It was so noisy.”