The Washington Gas Sales Team is the resource you can count on for all multifamily development natural gas applications. Our representatives include a variety of professionals with the technical skills to understand your requirements and walk you through each stage of the process.
Our mission is to provide our partners with first-class personalized service by developing quality and innovative natural gas solutions. We provide the tools to make natural gas the premier energy choice in your commercial and residential market segments.
"We reached out to Washington Gas and learned of the Maryland Multifamily Piping Program, which contributed funds for the natural gas piping from the meter to each individual unit. We quickly changed our business plan as we knew natural gas was a more efficient hot water and heating system than electric, especially at today’s natural gas prices. Washington Gas has been a joy to work with and the team could not be any more responsive and helpful."
- Scott Altman, Executive Vice President, The Donaldson Group
The Distributed Meter Room (DMR) program applies new technology to lower the upfront cost of including natural gas in the construction of high-rise multifamily apartments and condominiums. The design locates the meters in central gas meter rooms of high-rise multifamily buildings, resulting in cost reductions for gas piping for project owners. Washington Gas covers the cost for piping and maintenance up to and including the natural gas meter.
This solution is available for use in both new construction and retrofit high-rise (five stories or greater above finished grade) multifamily buildings.
However, if your project has fewer stories, Washington Gas’ Engineered Sales Team will evaluate your project to determine if the DMR is still feasible or will create the next best natural gas configuration for optimal cost savings.
The Multifamily Incentive Program was created to help lower first costs for builders and developers in Maryland or Virginia who choose natural gas as the primary energy solution in their multifamily projects. Property owners and managers of existing apartment complexes with either full electricity or single-building gas meter(s) can also benefit from the program when they commit to converting their building(s) to individual tenant-controlled natural gas meters.
Before you build your next multifamily project or remodel your existing apartment complex, consider partnering with Washington Gas. Your project may be eligible to receive a contribution to offset the cost of installing gas piping from the outlet of each meter to every residence. Reimbursement amounts will vary by project, up to the actual cost of installing the gas piping. In some cases, the contribution your project is eligible to receive may cover your internal piping cost completely.
With this program, not only will you receive a reimbursement for your investment, but your tenants will also receive value.
New pipes. New meters. No hassle.
If you own or manage a multifamily complex with a single building gas meter or have underground gas piping facilities on your customer houseline, consider converting your property to individual unit gas meters. It will give your residents the ability to control their energy usage, transfer operating costs from your business to the customer and encourage your tenants to conserve energy. Converting your property to individual unit gas meters will also allow for streamlined operations, eliminating the need to manage your own underground piping system. With stricter enforcement from the Department of Transportation Office of Pipeline Safety, part 192 standards, small underground pipe system operators are struggling to stay in compliance and individual gas meters are the perfect solution.
For an example of how Washington Gas helped a local full service real estate management and investment company, convert its 864-unit apartment complex from central gas-metered boilers systems to energy-efficient tankless water heater systems for each tenant space, read “Right at Home” in the December 2015 issue of the American Gas Association magazine.
If you’re interested in converting your property to individual unit gas meters, Washington Gas is here to help.
We will review your current gas facilities, evaluate your options and assist you with engineering new metering designs that could make your operation more energy efficient and your business more attractive to the residents you serve.
It’s that easy and the consultation will be completed for you at no cost.
Washington Gas offers a range of services to help facilitate the process of including natural gas in all multifamily projects.
A listing of those services can be found below.
The Washington Gas Engineered Sales Team is the resource you can count on for all commercial and multifamily development natural gas applications.
Our representatives have the technical skills to understand your project's requirements and walk you through each stage of the natural gas installation process. Working as a liaison to your project’s architect and engineer, you can count on our team to facilitate and monitor the progress of your project from start to finish.
If you have one meter that you would like to get set, call 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427). Please be sure to have your account number available to help our customer service representatives facilitate your request, if possible.
If you have a larger project with multiple meters that need to get set, email the Meter Set Request Form to the Contractor Services Desk at contractorservices@washgas.com.
Please be advised it may take up to seven days to set the meter. Prior to meter set, please make sure the following items are completed; incomplete items could cause a delay and/or the appointment to be rescheduled.
Prior to setting the meter:
Washington Gas provides permanent underground gas service and a meter at a specified location on your job site. You or your subcontractor will utilize flexible hoses, gas laterals or risers (either temporary or those to be used for the permanent gas loads) inside the building. The hoses connect to your portable heaters, for temporary heat wherever and whenever you need it. Because gas is always available—instantly ready any time of day or night—monitoring your fuel supply isn’t required.
To assure that Washington Gas meets your construction heating needs, contact us well in advance to apply for your permanent gas service line, allowing sufficient time to install the service. If you are renovating an old building that has an existing riser in place, you may be able to use the existing riser during construction, so we recommend contacting us before having the riser removed. We’re ready to help you plan ahead so you get the full benefits of natural gas heating during construction.
Natural gas tankless water heaters provide an endless source of water heating with zero stand-by heat loss. In addition to a life expectancy of 20 years or longer, tankless water heaters also have a higher flow rate than electric water heaters. Multiple tanks can be combined for higher capacities and can also be configured with an air handler for space heating.
Tankless water heaters are typically placed on a wall and are easy to service and repair. Popular companies include Rinnai, AO Smith, Navien, Noritz and Rheem.
Statistics:
Natural gas tank water heaters are an economic way to heat water. Cold water enters through the top of the water heater. The gas burner at the bottom of the water heater heats the cold water causing the hotter water to rise for it to be used. Exhaust from the burner is then vented through a baffled flue and is vented outside.
Typical installation requires a 6” clearance for type B ventilation for four-six square feet of ground space. Standard non-condensing storage-type water heaters require indoor combustion air and should be flushed by the homeowner annually. This style of water heater requires very low maintenance.
Hot exhaust gases are captured and utilized to heat the water in addition to the main burner, making a gas condensing water heater more efficient. The condensing water heater will also produce lower Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions and venting is less expensive in new construction.
Typical installation requires PVC venting for four-six square feet of ground space. Some condensing water heaters may not require combustion air. Annual professional maintenance required.
Statistics:
Multifamily buildings supplying natural gas dryers allow for tenants to save in energy costs and time. Natural gas dries laundry three times faster than electric and can save more than $75 a year in energy costs. With three different drum sizes, gas dryers work for compact apartment laundry spaces or communal laundry rooms.
Statistics:
Natural gas fireplaces provide a constant heat source and can be used for supplemental heat. Resembling the look, sound and smells of a wood fireplace, gas fireplaces add value to any dwelling. They are also easy to maintain, turn on/off with the flip of a switch and don’t require a chimney.
Extreme weather, summertime brownouts and many other unforeseen complications can interrupt the electrical service to your multifamily building. With a natural gas standby power generator, you can be assured that when power is lost, the electricity in your building’s common areas, elevators and if you choose, power to your resident’s units, will remain in operation and ensure the safety of your residents. Generator models are manufactured to accommodate various kilowatt loads – fully adaptable to your building’s design and the needs of the residents. Some local code authorities now require natural gas generator installations for multifamily buildings.
A natural gas standby power generator can be permanently installed within the buildings interior or outdoors. A typical standby power generator has an automatic transfer switch that continuously monitors the utility power for an interruption. If utility power fails, the transfer switch automatically starts the generator, transferring electrical loads and restoring power to your building. When utility power resumes, the transfer switch automatically reverses the process.
Back-up power generators are available in a wide range of sizes and can be used for the largest multifamily structures, and because it runs on natural gas, the need for fuel storage is eliminated completely.
The benefits and savings of the Multifamily Incentive Program make individual-unit metering an easy choice for your business.
With our new multifamily program, Federal Capital Partners brings gas to a property.
New piping program provides savings for builders, developers and property owners.
Convert your multifamily building to individual meters.