History of District Heating in the United States

| Chronological List of District Heating Systems in the United States |

District Heating in Ackley, Iowa

The Ackley Electric Light Company built an exhaust steam district heating system in 1897 that began service in November of that year. The company was later sold and the new owner gave it to the town in 1905. The municipality operating the heating system until it was discontinued in 1933 due to losing money.

References
1897 Ackley World, October 29, 1897, Page 5.
The steam will be ready to apply in the course of another week and those who will have the service will begin to thaw out.

1900 "Ackley Electric Light Co.," Ackley World, September 26, 1900, Page 14.
In 1897 Breuning brothers added to their system a very complete steam heating plant; this has proven most satisfactory and they are now supplying steam heat to from 35 to 40 buildings, including the hotel, several public buildings, stores and dwellings. This is the pioneer steam heating plant in Iowa.

1905 "Gives Town Lighting Plant," The Sioux City Journal, December 9, 1905, Page 2.

1933 "Notifying Users," Ackley World, February 23, 1933, Page 4.
Discontinuance of Steam Heat -- the last season of service.

1933 "New Heating Plants," Ackley World, September 14, 1933, Page 5.
Becomes necessary due to abandonment of municipal service. List of existing customers.