IAH on efforts to solve AC woes: 'Our maintenance team has partially restored the functionality of the Central Utility Plant'

Temperatures soaring past the century mark are a given in Houston close to the beginning of the summer, and travelers at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) were forced to grapple with the searing heat after the air conditioning system (AC) gave out on Monday, according to reports from Houston-based media outlets.

IAH officials said efforts to restore the system to working order continued throughout the night and as of Tuesday morning, Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported.

Per the station, workers installed portable AC units and temporary chillers to help passengers stay cool amid the current heat wave.

“Our maintenance team has partially restored the functionality of the Central Utility Plant, and with the temporary chillers added to the system, the A/C system should now have the necessary capacity to keep the airport cool and in a normal temperature range during the day,” the airport’s Twitter account said.

According to IAH, “unexpected issues” negatively impacted its AC system, causing temperatures inside each of its five terminals to nearly resemble the unbearable outside. 

“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to work around the clock to fully restore the air conditioning system at Bush Airport,” officials added. 

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that affected travelers were offered free bottled water.

Houston Airport System (HAS) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jim Szczesniak said Monday’s woes had roots in a chiller malfunctioning on Sunday, KTRK reported. 

Szczesniak added the situation took a turn for the worst when a second chiller gave out early the next morning. 

IAH needs all six chillers to function properly, but having just four working presented a problem with capacity, he told the station.

At nearly the same time last year, Houston Daily reported, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), the city’s second air gateway some 30 miles to the south of IAH, encountered issues with its AC unit.

The only difference is that HOU solved the problem nearly eight hours after it started.