Natural Gas for Commercial Projects

Washington Gas’ service territory includes Washington, D.C. and counties in Maryland and Virginia.

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.

Partner with our Engineered Sales Team and receive:

• Complimentary education and training throughout the life cycle of your project.
• Experienced consultation on equipment options that best meet your project’s needs.
• Assistance in identifying available incentives for your project.
• A well qualified point-of-contact with the experience to navigate projects through local, state and federal government agencies (DOE, EPA) and regulators (DOT, international codes, PSC).
• Customized natural gas design specifically tailored to create optimal cost savings in your projects. This configuration will serve as an approved Washington Gas piping and equipment design that can be incorporated in your project’s AutoCAD drawings.
• Reduced plumbing engineer/plumbing design contractor hours-cost: Our sales engineers will provide you with a standardized design for your natural gas installation, making it easier for you to design a building that uses natural gas, which should result in reduced plumbing design bid prices that reflect reduced design hours-costs.
• Information on many aspects of natural gas service, including overall gas availability, specific gas pressure information, gas service capacities, metering capabilities and much more.

There are times when you may need to have the gas service to a property temporarily or permanently disconnected. Furthermore, you may need confirmation that the property does not have gas service. Learn the steps to disconnecting service or verify that your property does not have gas utility service here.

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:

• Gas service, rack and/or meter bar must be installed.
• The interior gas piping (house line) must be connected to the meter bar
• Pressure reducing regulators must be installed on 2psi house lines.
• All interior gas lines must be valved and capped.
• The interior gas piping must pass a county/city inspection (1st and/or 2nd if applicable) and the
  inspection tag must be located on-site.
• The permanent address should be affixed to the home with lot number visible in yard and/or
  county permit displayed in the front window.
• Building must be unlocked and provide safe access.

Heat your construction site with natural gas. It saves money, time, resources and, best of all, it's easy.‍

With natural gas construction heating, you save time and effort by avoiding the inconvenience of scheduling propane deliveries and continually moving propane tanks back and forth, floor to floor, to heat your work site. No more lost time, manpower or money.

When you apply for your permanent natural gas service line, let us know that you would like to take advantage of natural gas for your construction heaters.

Natural gas construction heating:

Saves Money

• Natural gas costs less than propane.
• You pay only for what you use.

Saves Time

• No time lost scheduling propane deliveries.
• No time spent moving propane tanks.
• Natural gas is always available.

Assures a Better Allocation of Resources

• Cranes can be used for construction, not moving propane tanks.
• Resources aren't needed to monitor fuel usage.

It's Easy

• Flexible hosing goes anywhere on site from the utility meter.

Here's How It Works

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.

All gas-fired products sold and used in the U.S. are covered by a variety of certification standards, building codes and local requirements. Contact the code authority in your area to confirm that the products you choose meet requirements.

When planning any type of construction, home improvement or landscaping project that requires digging or excavating, call 811 to notify the underground utility line locating service before you are scheduled to begin the project.

Boiler systems are perfect for large-scale heating applications such as office buildings, hospitals, school campuses, multifamily dwellings, hotels, etc. A boiler system heats water or another fluid in a closed vessel. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications, including water heating, central heating, cooling, boiler-based power generation, cooking and sanitation.

A condensing boiler system is much more efficient than traditional boiler technology. In a condensing boiler system, the flue heat and excess water vapor are utilized to preheat the “cold” fluid as it enters the boiler. In some regions, condensing boiler technology is incentivized through rebates or tax breaks.

With policymakers creating rigorous environmental regulations, community advocates campaigning for a cleaner environment and energy prices soaring -- the commercial, industrial, institutional, municipal and manufacturing industries are recognizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions and establishing energy efficiency goals.

One solution making headway in the industry is Combined Heat and Power (CHP), also known as cogeneration. CHP is a form of distributed power generation and is typically located near the point of consumption. This technology is essentially the simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy (heating and/or cooling) from a single source of energy, usually natural gas. Learn more.

In professional cooking, natural gas is essential. Natural gas cooking equipment comes with so many modern features - like steam and combo ovens - that can make cooking faster, healthier and tastier.

Dehumidification

Dehumidifiers use specialized materials to remove moisture from the air, eliminating the need to set thermostats at uncomfortably low temperatures on humid days. Dehumidification can be used either in a stand-alone system or in conjunction with an air conditioner. When used with an air conditioner, the dehumidifier can significantly increase the energy efficiency of the air conditioner because dry air is comfortable at higher temperatures.

Absorption Chillers

Absorption chillers cool water using energy provided by a heat source. In addition to being direct fired by natural gas, absorption chillers can run using hot water, steam or waste heat, making them an integral part of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems or anywhere waste heat is available. Absorption chillers are generally used where noise and vibration levels are an issue, particularly in hospitals, schools and office buildings.

Engine-Driven Chillers

Engine-driven chillers cool water using energy provided by a natural gas engine. Engine-driven chillers are generally used to provide large cooling loads in areas with medium to high electric rates. In addition to high efficiency cooling operation, waste heat can be recovered for domestic hot water production or other thermal energy needs.

Energy management systems (EMS) are computer-based systems commonly used to monitor and control building HVAC and lighting systems, including groups of buildings such as university campuses, office buildings or factories. Energy Management Systems may also collect data from electric, gas and water meters. EMS allow for both local and remote monitoring and control of HVAC components. It can be interfaced with building security and fire protection systems. They are also used to monitor and control a variety of commercial and industrial processes.

Heat pumps provide heating or cooling from a single piece of equipment. When used in moderate outdoor temperatures, heat pumps offer significant operating cost savings over a conventional furnace or air conditioner. Gas heat pumps are most commonly used for space conditioning in large homes, nursing homes, apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, retailers and office buildings.

Extreme weather, summertime brownouts and many other unforeseen complications can interrupt the electrical service to your commercial building. With a natural gas standby power generator, you can be assured that when power is lost, your residents remain safe. This is particularly important in assisted living facilities where it's critical for medical equipment to remain fully operational.

A natural gas standby power generator is permanently installed outdoors. A typical natural gas 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. 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 commercial facilities, and because it runs on natural gas the need for fuel storage is eliminated completely.

Hybrid/Combo heating systems use one energy source to create two or more useful forms of energy. Hybrid systems also have the option of using two or more energy sources to create one or more useful forms of energy.

The most common combo system uses one burner tip of natural gas to create space heat and hot water. These systems are built around either a boiler or a water heater where waste heat is channeled into an air handler for space heat. This system saves on the need for equipment, space and energy. It also can reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Hybrid systems with two energy sources are often set up so that one source is a backup. An example of this is a solar water heater with natural gas as a backup for evenings and days without sufficient sunshine.

Radiant floor heating systems heat rooms using a set of tubes permanently installed beneath the floor. The operation of a radiant floor system circulates hot water or a water/glycol solution through PEX tubing below the floor. Radiant floor heating is most commonly used in high-end homes, commercial buildings or very cold climates. Radiant floor heaters are comfortable, efficient, quiet and provide a constant “blanket” of space heat. Also, radiant floor heaters allow for the creation of different zones with different temperature settings.

Commercial Unit Heater

Commercial unit heaters provide space heat to small areas such as small industrial facilities with relatively low ceilings, or larger areas where even temperature distribution is not critical. For example, unit heaters are typically found in the entrance to a retail store, or just inside the building near the loading dock. They are also used in manufacturing plants to provide spot heating in areas where employees are stationed. Some modern unit heaters are condensing units, which condense flue gases to increase overall efficiency.

Forced Air Furnace

Forced air furnaces burn natural gas to operate a heat exchanger where air passes through on its way to heat a space. Forced air furnaces can be used for climate control in most residential and commercial settings.

Radiant and Infrared Heating

Keeping many workspaces and patios heated can be a challenge. Open doors, large, drafty areas and non-insulated structures make traditional HVAC unfeasible. But gas radiant and infrared heaters have what it takes to do the job economically and comfortably. That's because they heat objects, not the air, so the heat is retained instead of escaping through an open door. Gas infrared heaters can also be used to melt ice on stairs and walkways, for condensation control on high window areas and deicing aircrafts.

Rooftop Heater

Rooftop heaters combine a furnace and air conditioner into one package. The typical rooftop unit uses natural gas for heating and electricity for cooling. Rooftop heaters are used most commonly for space heating in commercial and small industrial settings. Despite the name, rooftop heaters may be installed on ground-level concrete pads for buildings with multiple stories or a pitched roof.

Booster Water Heaters

Booster water heaters increase the temperature of hot water from 140º F to 180º F for use in cleaning and sanitizing dishware. In commercial or institutional kitchens, the hotter water produced can replace sanitizing chemicals used in conventional dishwashers.

Direct Contact Water Heaters

Direct contact water heaters allow flue gases to come in direct contact with the water they heat. This stands in contrast to more conventional water heaters and boilers, which use heat exchangers to heat water indirectly. Therefore, these devices will often have a smaller footprint than indirect contact heaters.

Tank Water Heaters

Tank water heaters heat and store hot water so it is ready for use as needed. Smaller water heaters, with a capacity of 30-40 gallons, are generally used in residential and small commercial settings. Larger heaters, with a capacity of around 100 gallons, are common in commercial and small industrial applications.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, also called continuous water heaters, produce hot water on demand so there is no reserve of hot water. Tankless water heaters commonly have efficiencies in the range of 82 percent to as high as 97 percent, and can supply an endless stream of hot water. When a user opens the hot water tap, cold water travels into the unit. A gas burner then heats the water continuously as it flows through, before leaving as hot water. In commercial settings, tankless water heaters save energy and floor space.