Residents of the Paseo Apartments in south Dallas can expect a cool summer this year with the recent installation of new, high-efficiency heat pump systems in all 147 units.

Evan Reifman, along with Silverstone Management, said the upgrades were made possible by Oncor’s Multifamily heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) incentive program.  

“The Paseo project is phenomenal,” Reifman said. “They will have brand-new heat pumps. The residents will be able to save money and have good cooling.”

Silverstone Management bought the Paseo complex in 2021. The group has been investing in the property at 4836 Sunnyvale St. since 2021 to remodel the units, improve safety and now – boost energy efficiency.

“It’s an old property, maybe built in the 1960s,” Reifman said. “When we bought it, it did not look like it looks now. We put a lot of time, effort, energy and money into it. We really cleaned it up. We’re trying to give the residents a good, safe place to live. It took some time.”

Reifman worked with Roel Rojas, owner of Mechanical Comfort Systems, to apply for the Oncor incentive program. They received nearly $425,000 to invest in new HVAC systems for each apartment.

“It’s going to give the residents a really good quality of life and help the owners as well,” Reifman said. “This is not something we would have done without the incentive.”  

On a recent afternoon, Rojas and his team were unloading the last of the new heat pump systems to begin installing them.

Rojas said his experienced crews can install three to four new units a day. An installation involves putting a new heat pump outside each unit, and then installing a fan unit and a new smart thermostat inside. They’re also installing new copper pipe and control wires.

“It’s improving the efficiency for the owners of the properties,” Rojas said. “Second thing, it’s giving the residents a higher level of comfort. They’re going to get colder air than before. The residents could also save money on their electric bills.”

Under the program, property owners work with HVAC contractors and apply for the funds to assist in replacing inefficient, older systems, said Carl Brown, Oncor’s Lead Program Manager, Energy Efficiency. The program is a competitive application process.

“The entire project is expected to save around 898,885 kWh over the life of the new heat pump units,” Brown said.

Many of the units being replaced at Paseo were probably 30-40 years old, Rojas said. “When the units get to be that old and there are so many of them, it’s hard to keep them all going in the summer,” he said. “And it’s expensive to replace all of them at one time.”

Rojas, who started his business in 2001, said his company has participated in Oncor’s incentive program for apartments for over five years. The program has provided his company new opportunities and brought him more customers.

At Paseo, Rojas’ crews were made up of experienced and a few new employees. This summer, he’s also employing two high school students as interns. He will pay the tuition for young workers to attend HVAC classes at Dallas College.

“I believe God gave me a mission with this company and that’s to give other people opportunities,” Rojas said.

Once the Paseo project is complete, Rojas and his team will move to another apartment complex that is also participating in the Oncor HVAC incentive program.

“The best feeling is when you get that air conditioning up and running for people,” Rojas said. “You’ve changed their world.”

To learn more about Oncor’s Energy Efficiency program offerings, visit takealoadofftexas.com.