For Cornerstone Community Development Corporation, preserving affordable housing in South Dallas means more than renovating aging buildings. It means prioritizing residents’ comfort without driving higher energy costs.

That is why Cornerstone worked with Oncor through its Multifamily HVAC Incentive Program to replace outdated heating and cooling equipment at nearly 30 units at an apartment community near Fair Park in Dallas.

The property was built decades ago and relied on a centralized chiller system that controlled heating and cooling for all apartments at once. The system was inefficient, placed a heavy draw on the electrical system and did not allow residents to control temperatures inside their own units.

“We saw an opportunity with Oncor to put in individual units for each apartment so residents could control their heating and cooling,” said Ernest Baylor of Cornerstone. “It was something we had wanted to do, but from an affordability perspective, it wasn’t something we could do outright. The Oncor incentive really provided the catalyst for us to move forward.”

Tackling old infrastructure head-on

Cornerstone specializes in acquiring older apartment communities and rehabilitating them to preserve affordable housing in neighborhoods experiencing redevelopment pressure. That often means confronting decades-old infrastructure.

“With this project, it made more sense to face the HVAC issues head-on,” Baylor said. “The old system was a major draw on the electrical system and didn’t give residents control over their own comfort.”

With support from Oncor’s energy efficiency program, Cornerstone began installing high-efficiency, individual HVAC units for each apartment. At the time of the project, residents remained in their homes while work progressed, with the goal of completing upgrades ahead of the summer heat.

How Oncor’s program makes a difference

Oncor’s Multifamily HVAC Incentive Program helps offset the cost of replacing inefficient HVAC systems with high-efficiency heat pumps in older apartment communities. The program is designed to improve comfort for residents while reducing overall energy use.

“Energy efficiency is about maintaining or improving comfort without increasing energy usage,” said Carl Brown, Oncor energy efficiency senior program manager. “Through this program, we’re helping property owners upgrade outdated equipment while delivering real benefits to the residents who live there.”

Customers who receive new, high-efficiency HVAC equipment can often see energy savings of 10 to 30 percent, depending on usage and lifestyle.

“It’s a win-win,” Baylor said. “Once we understood the electrical draw of the old system and the cost we were carrying as an organization, we could see how dramatically that could be reduced. At the same time, residents gain control over their own air and heat.”

Looking ahead

This project marks Cornerstone’s first time participating in Oncor’s HVAC incentive program.

“This was the very first time, but not our last,” Baylor said. “We already have three other properties we’re preparing to use the incentive on.”

The application process, Baylor said, made the decision easier. “It was seamless,” Baylor said. “Oncor truly became a partner with us, walking with us through the process. That support made a big difference.”

For other property owners considering upgrades, Baylor’s advice is simple.

“The dollars are there to save you dollars,” Baylor said. “If you care about economics, the environment, reducing strain on the grid and satisfying your residents, this is a no-brainer.”

Supporting communities through efficiency

Oncor’s Multifamily HVAC Incentive Program is part of the company’s broader energy efficiency efforts, which have supported multifamily housing upgrades across its service territory for many years.

By helping replace outdated equipment with high-efficiency systems, Oncor continues to support stronger communities by delivering comfort, savings and long-term benefits for residents and property owners alike.

To learn more about Oncor’s energy efficiency programs, visit TakeALoadOffTexas.com.