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Why natural gas is returning to buildings in CABA: keys to understanding the trend and taking extreme precautions - Infobae
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www.infobae.com
December 20, 2024
The construction of buildings with gas installations is gaining ground. The trend reflects economic advantages, market demands and technological advances, although it requires extreme safety measures and consideration of their impact.
By Jose Luis Cieri
The yellow pipe indicates that buildings equipped with natural gas are being built again in CABA (Illustrative Image Infobae)
In the city of Buenos Aires, the construction of residential buildings with natural gas installations is once again gaining ground, a trend that had lost ground to completely electric projects. This change is due to factors such as the economy of natural gas compared to electricity, technological improvements in installations and the return of an infrastructure capable of sustaining greater demand.
In response to several gas-related accidents, the construction of buildings with natural gas installations was not common in the past three years. However, their return raises the need to take extreme safety measures and consider their impact on the design and operation of new buildings.
The process of connecting to the gas network begins with the feasibility request, which verifies whether the gas network passes in front of the building and whether the existing pipe can supply the requested consumption.
“The internal installation project of the building is presented, detailing pipes, materials, location of meters and regulators. A registered gas fitter carries it out using the AVM tool (for registered users) of Metrogas, while the developer validates and follows the process from the virtual office,” explained Lezama.
As regards safety, if current regulations are complied with, which is a condition for approval, the installation will be perfectly safe.
Lezama said: “Depending on the type of project, we offer ideas for efficient installations and equipment. In Argentina there are suppliers of advanced technology, and natural gas is reliable and cheaper than electricity.”
Once the gas project has been approved, the internal installation is built. After laying the pipes and vents, the gas fitter requests a partial inspection with exposed pipes and uploads photos to AVM.
Once this inspection has been approved, the pipes are covered, the appliances are installed and then the final inspection is requested. If the external pipe supplies the requested consumption, the service can be activated, the connection order generated and the meters installed.
A gas installation project in full swing (Illustrative Image Infobae)
If the external pipe does not exist or is insufficient, a network extension is required, so the third-party construction sector must be contacted to carry out the project and request quotes from registered companies.
Furthermore, the availability of efficient equipment from local suppliers facilitates its incorporation into real estate projects.
Federico Rosbaco , CEO of Rosbaco & Partners, highlighted that “the design of these buildings responds both to the need to reduce costs and to sustainability trends. In larger buildings, gas is used in central hot water systems, reducing energy costs and reducing the maintenance of individual installations.”
In parallel, natural gas is seen as a more environmentally friendly option compared to other fossil fuels, due to its lower carbon emissions.
In parallel, sustainable buildings integrate technologies such as solar panels for common spaces and carpentry with double hermetic glass to optimize thermal insulation. These solutions, although not directly dependent on gas, complement the goal of energy efficiency (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Factors such as property value appreciation and buyers' preference for homes with traditional amenities also play a role.
“For example, in high-end buildings, gas remains the standard for heating, cooking and hot water systems due to its efficiency and ease of use,” Rosbaco said.
Hernán Nucifora , CEO of Global Investments, highlighted that “the incorporation of gas in large projects is combined with intelligent systems that optimize consumption. For example, programmable thermostats and centralized temperature controls allow energy use to be adjusted in an efficient and comfortable way for users.”
"For example, electricity consumption can be up to twice as expensive as natural gas," Rosbaco said.
In addition, the use of gas significantly reduces energy costs in shared systems such as central hot water or underfloor heating.
However, Nucifora stressed that “final costs also depend on external factors, such as the stability of tariffs and the price of imported gas. In the Argentine case, local production and the expansion of gas pipelines could consolidate a more favorable scenario.”
As for the sale prices of the homes, Rosbaco said that the sale prices of the homes in these buildings vary according to the location and characteristics of the property. “In general, apartments with energy efficiency and sustainability have competitive prices, starting at USD 106,000, especially for two-room units in areas such as Palermo,” he said.
In addition, it is recommended to hire qualified professionals to carry out maintenance and repair tasks.
Energy efficiency generated significant savings in heating and air conditioning in some buildings (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Developers should involve utilities from the earliest stages of the project to avoid costly rework and ensure compliance with safety and efficiency standards.
"In addition, the installation of solar panels in projects located in Recoleta and Almagro, and the use of photovoltaic coatings in other buildings contribute to energy efficiency," said Nucifora.
Replacing conventional lighting with LEDs in common areas allowed for an 80% saving in consumption.
Nucifora concluded: “These actions respond to the increase in rates and the demand for sustainability. In projects in the suburban real estate market, the integration of trees improves the environment, reduces urban temperatures and decreases the need for cooling, benefiting the environment.”
www.buysellba.com
Source:
Por qué vuelve el gas natural a los edificios en CABA: claves para entender la tendencia y extremar precauciones
La construcción de edificios con instalaciones de gas recupera terreno. La tendencia refleja ventajas económicas, demandas del mercado y avances tecnológicos, aunque exige extremar medidas de seguridad y considerar su impacto
www.infobae.com
December 20, 2024
The construction of buildings with gas installations is gaining ground. The trend reflects economic advantages, market demands and technological advances, although it requires extreme safety measures and consideration of their impact.
By Jose Luis Cieri
The yellow pipe indicates that buildings equipped with natural gas are being built again in CABA (Illustrative Image Infobae)
In the city of Buenos Aires, the construction of residential buildings with natural gas installations is once again gaining ground, a trend that had lost ground to completely electric projects. This change is due to factors such as the economy of natural gas compared to electricity, technological improvements in installations and the return of an infrastructure capable of sustaining greater demand.
In response to several gas-related accidents, the construction of buildings with natural gas installations was not common in the past three years. However, their return raises the need to take extreme safety measures and consider their impact on the design and operation of new buildings.
How to enable the facilities and procedure
Marcelo Lezama , head of New Business at Metrogas, explained to Infobae that gas installations in new buildings must meet three fundamental conditions: 1) that there is a distribution network at the building's entrance, 2) that it has sufficient flow to supply the demand and 3) that the internal installation has the approval of the distributor.The process of connecting to the gas network begins with the feasibility request, which verifies whether the gas network passes in front of the building and whether the existing pipe can supply the requested consumption.
“The internal installation project of the building is presented, detailing pipes, materials, location of meters and regulators. A registered gas fitter carries it out using the AVM tool (for registered users) of Metrogas, while the developer validates and follows the process from the virtual office,” explained Lezama.
As regards safety, if current regulations are complied with, which is a condition for approval, the installation will be perfectly safe.
Lezama said: “Depending on the type of project, we offer ideas for efficient installations and equipment. In Argentina there are suppliers of advanced technology, and natural gas is reliable and cheaper than electricity.”
Once the gas project has been approved, the internal installation is built. After laying the pipes and vents, the gas fitter requests a partial inspection with exposed pipes and uploads photos to AVM.
Once this inspection has been approved, the pipes are covered, the appliances are installed and then the final inspection is requested. If the external pipe supplies the requested consumption, the service can be activated, the connection order generated and the meters installed.
A gas installation project in full swing (Illustrative Image Infobae)
If the external pipe does not exist or is insufficient, a network extension is required, so the third-party construction sector must be contacted to carry out the project and request quotes from registered companies.
Factors explaining the return of gas
Natural gas offers competitive advantages over electricity, real estate industry sources said. Its operating costs are considerably lower and it ensures reliable supply, which is attractive in a context of high electricity rates and possible interruptions.Furthermore, the availability of efficient equipment from local suppliers facilitates its incorporation into real estate projects.
Federico Rosbaco , CEO of Rosbaco & Partners, highlighted that “the design of these buildings responds both to the need to reduce costs and to sustainability trends. In larger buildings, gas is used in central hot water systems, reducing energy costs and reducing the maintenance of individual installations.”
In parallel, natural gas is seen as a more environmentally friendly option compared to other fossil fuels, due to its lower carbon emissions.
Areas where the projects are developed
New buildings with gas are concentrated in areas of the northern corridor of CABA, such as Belgrano, Núñez, Palermo and Villa Urquiza. These areas combine a high housing demand with the presence of infrastructure suitable for supporting the gas service.
In parallel, sustainable buildings integrate technologies such as solar panels for common spaces and carpentry with double hermetic glass to optimize thermal insulation. These solutions, although not directly dependent on gas, complement the goal of energy efficiency (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Factors such as property value appreciation and buyers' preference for homes with traditional amenities also play a role.
“For example, in high-end buildings, gas remains the standard for heating, cooking and hot water systems due to its efficiency and ease of use,” Rosbaco said.
Efficiency and safety measures
The use of thermofusion pipes with a steel core minimizes risks and ensures greater durability. Furthermore, improved ventilation systems and efficient devices contribute to reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.Hernán Nucifora , CEO of Global Investments, highlighted that “the incorporation of gas in large projects is combined with intelligent systems that optimize consumption. For example, programmable thermostats and centralized temperature controls allow energy use to be adjusted in an efficient and comfortable way for users.”
Costs and comparisons with electric buildings
Installing gas in an average 15-unit building costs an estimated $20 million, not including appliances. Although more expensive than an initial electric system, it is more economical in the long run due to the lower cost of gas."For example, electricity consumption can be up to twice as expensive as natural gas," Rosbaco said.
In addition, the use of gas significantly reduces energy costs in shared systems such as central hot water or underfloor heating.
However, Nucifora stressed that “final costs also depend on external factors, such as the stability of tariffs and the price of imported gas. In the Argentine case, local production and the expansion of gas pipelines could consolidate a more favorable scenario.”
As for the sale prices of the homes, Rosbaco said that the sale prices of the homes in these buildings vary according to the location and characteristics of the property. “In general, apartments with energy efficiency and sustainability have competitive prices, starting at USD 106,000, especially for two-room units in areas such as Palermo,” he said.
Precautions to consider
The use of natural gas requires strict compliance with current regulations to avoid risks. Users must carry out periodic checks on the installations and ensure proper ventilation of the appliances.In addition, it is recommended to hire qualified professionals to carry out maintenance and repair tasks.
Energy efficiency generated significant savings in heating and air conditioning in some buildings (Illustrative Image Infobae)
Developers should involve utilities from the earliest stages of the project to avoid costly rework and ensure compliance with safety and efficiency standards.
Tendencies
In recent years, measures have been implemented to reduce energy consumption in buildings, such as the use of DVH carpentry with double glazing and air chamber, with thermal and acoustic insulation."In addition, the installation of solar panels in projects located in Recoleta and Almagro, and the use of photovoltaic coatings in other buildings contribute to energy efficiency," said Nucifora.
Replacing conventional lighting with LEDs in common areas allowed for an 80% saving in consumption.
Nucifora concluded: “These actions respond to the increase in rates and the demand for sustainability. In projects in the suburban real estate market, the integration of trees improves the environment, reduces urban temperatures and decreases the need for cooling, benefiting the environment.”
www.buysellba.com
