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Chronological List of District Heating
Systems in the United States |
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| Atlantic City Hot Water Heating System in 1928 |
Isaac D. Smead was an inventor and entrepreneur who lived in Toledo, Ohio. He was involved in heating and ventilating school buildings and also invented a dry closet system that was installed in several schools but developed a bad reputation. He success came to a halt ion December 1, 1898 when he became the largest bankrupt under the 1898 Bankruptcy Law, claiming liabilities of $900,000 and no assets. His case was discharged the following February, with his many creditors receiving nothing.
Smead then decided to enter the hot water district heating business, which had been pioneered by fellow Toledo resident Homer T. Yaryan. Smead petitioned many cities for a franchise to install his system, which was basically a modification of Yaryan's successful design. His first success came in Washington Court House, Ohio
Smead's system did not utilize exhaust steam from electric generation, rather relying on a very efficient boiler. His two systems proved to be uneconomical to operate and were soon bought by local electric companies who used exhaust steam to heat the hot water.
References
1907 "Tapped
Atlantic City Hot Water Pipes," The Kansas City Star,
December 31, 1907, Page 10.
The local hot water heating company has recently suffered the loss of
hundreds of gallons of hot water through the tapping of their pipes by
householders. Efforts were made to locate the unauthorized users of the
water, but without avail.
1928 "Hot
Water Heating in Atlantic City," Proceedings of the National
District Heating Association 19:73-88 (June 1928)
They returned to Atlantic City and immediately started action on the
formation of a company to be known as "The New Jersey Hot Water Heating
Company." A charter was granted this company by the State of New Jersey on
March 24, 1902. They then sought a city franchise, which was granted on
April 14, 1902. Immediate action was taken for the installation of a plant
and distribution mains.
The system designed by Colonel Smead called for wrought iron pipe, but
consideration was also given wood main which at that time was in use
extensively as casing and cold-water conductor. A section of wood main
removed from the site of the present City Hall in Philadelphia was
exhibited, with the explanation that it had been in the ground and in
service for over one hundred years. This definitely decided the company in
favor of wood pipe and orders were immediately given for several carloads
of Wycoff wood pipe of various sizes.
Approximately sixty consumers were on the system when it started
operation on March 17, 1903. The total cost of the plant and underground
construction amounted to $355,000 when completed.
1946 "The
Roving Reporter," Press of Atlantic City, April 14, 1946,
Page 8.
History of Atlantic City hot water heating system.
1958 "PUC Officer Dooms 'City Heat'," Press of Atlantic City, July 24, 1958, Page 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
1958 "PUC Authorizes End of City Heat On May 31, 1960," Press of Atlantic City, September 30, 1958, Page 1 | Part 2 |
1994 "Atlantic
Energy forms subsidiary," Press of Atlantic City, June 19,
1994, Page 54.
Atlantic Thermal Systems.
1996 Atlantic Thermal Systems
© 2025 Morris A. Pierce