History of District Heating in the United States

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

District Heating in Perry, Iowa

A Yaryan hot water system was installed in Perry and began service in October 1899.

The system was shut down on June 14, 1981, making it the last of the early hot water systems to operate. The first "modern" hot water system using European standard EN-253 pipe began operating in Willmar, Minnesota in September 1982.

References
1899 The Perry Advertiser, September 19, 1899, Page 3.
The Perry Light, Heat & Power Co. yesterday turned on the heat in their new hot water heating system for the first time. Some of the valves are not yet working properly, but where ever the flow of water is free a perfect heat Is secured. The laying of additional mains is being pushed as rapidly as possible, and it is hoped by the time cold weather gets here in earnest'all the lines projected, for this year will be completed

1987 "District heating decisions in Iowa- non-decision decision making," Robert I. Wessel, Iowa State Journal of Research 62(1):63-73 (August 1987)
Page 68: District heating in Perry was terminated due to boiler inefficiency and deterioration, a constant electrolysis problem with the hot water pipes, and, according to one source, one year of spotty maintenance on the delivery system. According to the plant engineer, a decision not to replace the boiler system in 1962 determined that the plant would ultimately be shut down. By 1976 or 1977 the turbine at the Iowa Electric plant in Perry had run its course as a useful mechanism, and the boiler was used only for heating. Electricity was obtained through the Iowa Electric grid. The system with approximately 165 customers still using it was closed on June 14, 1981.