ONE Gas is finding success in converting multifamily housing to natural gas
When ONE GAS’ Emily Reh speaks, housing developers listen. “Most of the multifamily developers that we talk with know the benefits of natural gas, but they are budget conscious and perceive the cost of venting and piping to be more expensive than going all electric,” Reh, director of market development and customer programs for the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based natural gas utility, told American Gas.
This gives Reh a natural “in” to talk about ONE Gas’ multifamily reimbursement program, which can reimburse developers up to about $4,000 per unit for the venting and the piping costs associated with installing natural gas.
“The incentive frees up capital to be utilized elsewhere in their overall project and makes the cost comparable to an all-electric development,” said Reh, who is making a concerted effort to bring natural gas to the state’s traditionally electric multifamily housing space.
Natural gas appliances also can differentiate developers’ units from others on the market, she said. For example, ONE Gas customer Rose Rock Development Partners added an outdoor living space on the roof of its 80-unit complex in downtown Tulsa, complete with natural gas outdoor grills and fireplaces.
Reh told American Gas that as a result of its focused efforts, ONE Gas is seeing steady adoption of its multifamily rebate program. —Carolyn Kimmel