History of District Heating in the United States

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District Heating in Troy, New York

The Troy Steam Heating Company was organized in May 1879 and built a system that began operating in September.  The firm was very successful but was poorly managed and was unable to cope with the long winter of 1880-1881.  A receiver was appointed in March 1881 and the company was reorganized by new owners, but failed away in late 1883 and the property was auctioned off.  A new owner ran the plan until May 1884 when it was shut down permanently.

The old works were bought and repurposed to produce and distribute manufactured gas using the old steam pipes, but gas leaking from the pipes killed several people and the works were shut down.


References
1879 Troy Daily Times, February 4, 1879

1879 Engineering News 6:49 (February 15, 1879
The Troy NY Daily Times of 5 Feb 1879 publishes a three column article on the Holly Steam Heating System to be introduced into a portion of that city. 

1879 Engineering News 6:184 (June 7, 1879)
The Troy steam heating company expect to have their works in operation, and to be able to furnish steam for heating purposes and power, by the first of September next.

1879 Plumber and Sanitary Engineer 2:428 (November 15, 1879)
The extension of the steam heating system in Troy is rapidly going on.  The average cost of putting pipes and radiators in a dwelling is $175, although a much greater amount may be expended upon ornamental radiators alone. 

1880 "Steam Heating," The Buffalo Commercial, May 19, 1880, Page 4 | Part 2 |
Letter from Theo F. Haselhurst, Treasurer of the Troy Steam Heating Company.  We have laid about 5 miles of pipe, and largest being 8 inches in diameter and the smallest 3 inches.  We have 6 boilers of about 700 horse-power which, through the means of out patent setting, hot-blast and appliances, we have enabled to run in an economical manner.  Our demands have not required but the use of 4 boilers at any time, and sometimes only 3.  We heated this past winter 4,000,000 cubic feet of space, including two of the largest buildings in the city.  We furnish power to run 21 engines, the largest of which is 16 horse.

1880 Engineering News 7:300 (September 4, 1880)
The Troy steam heating company last winter warmed 100 buildings and supplied power to 13 engines of 65 horse-power.  This season, 200 buildings, with over 6,000,000 cubic feet of heating space, will be warmed, and power supplied to 30 engines with 247 horse-power.

1881 The New York Times, February 24, 1881, Page 4.
The Troy Steam Heating Company is hopelessly embarrassed, and the present indications are that the entire capital stock of $75,000 will be extinguished by Sheriff's sal In order to meet existing liabilities. The Times says that the failure is due to incompetent management.

1881 "Troy," Bradstreets 3(2):143 (March 5, 1881)
A receiver has been appointed for the Troy Steam Heating Company, which was organized in May, 1879, with a nominal capital stock of $100,000. There were two factions in the board of directors, and the losses for the past year were placed at $9,000. Judgments were docketed against the company in January in favor of D. S. Denison, $8,473.22; S. A. Peterson et al., $2,322; S. A. Peterson, $514.67.

1881 Metal Worker, Plumber and Steam Fitter 15(14):12 (April 2, 1881)
The syndicate which recently purchased the property of the Troy Steam Heating Company organized this week with the following corporators: Andrew M. Church, George B. Smith, Frederick A. Sabbator, John S. Christie, James Kelly and La Mott W. Rhodes. The company have a paid up capital of $45,000, which it is intended soon to increase to $75,000. The Telegram says: "the new company start out under favorable circumstances, have selected an able corps of directors, and it has every prospect for a  successful and prosperous future."

1883 "The Troy (N.Y.) Steam Heating Company a Thing of the Past," American Gas-light Journal 39(7):154 (October 2, 1883)
The late cool days experienced by the Trojans suggested the necessity of taking steps to secure artificial heat in their houses. Persons who have heretofore been supplied by the Troy Steam Heating Company have about reached the conclusion that they must look elsewhere for their caloric. It was understood that Capt. J. N. Russell intended to run the works during the coming winter, but it now appears that he has abandoned the intention, even if he ever seriously contemplated doing so.  Alderman Gilbert Geer, one of the parties interested in the steam heating company, said that he could give no assurance that the corporation would be in a condition to furnish customers the coming winter. He, himself, intended to make other arrangements for furnishing his residence with heat, and he advised others to do the same. The suspension of this concern will necessitate the introduction of new methods for heating the city hall and other public buildings--the steam company having, when it obtained its franchise, guaranteed to heat the city's edifices at a slight cost. Following out the plan of action pursued by those interested in such undertakings elsewhere, it would seem that the next move would be an effort to construe the steam franchise so as to make it appear that the holders of the charter were entitled, under the provisions of the same, to embark in the business of making and distributing gas; but, then, the Troy gas field appears to be pretty well occupied already--and we cannot exactly see how the stockholders of the Troy Steam Heating Company can do aught else than "grin and bear it."

1883 "Collapse of Steam Heating in Troy," Engineering News 10:538 (November 3, 1883)
The property of the Steam-Heating Company, constituting the plant of the works on River street, the radiators and about five miles of pipe, was sold at auction this morning, says the Troy Press, in front of the court-house by Harvey J. King, referee in foreclosure proceedings.  The property was sold to John L. Russell for $15,000, subject to about $3,000.  The steam-heating works have been an extensive "white-elephant,'" having cost, it is said, $225,000.  Mr. Russell will take charge of and run the works at the expiration of the lease on May 1, 1884.  The works will be run this winter.  It is believed that for next season's operations a new company will be organized. 

1887 "Death from Fuel Gas," Los Angeles Daily Herald, February 4, 1887, Page 3.
Why the Troy Company's Works are Closed.


© 2024 Morris A. Pierce