The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-17
STEAM HEATING PLANTS
CHARLES A. DALI INTERESTED IN
GETTING LOCAL FRANCHISE.
He Claims that the Cost Of steam Heat
Is Only Slightly Ii Excess OF
Natural Gas.

been Investigating the question of steam
heating from a central station, was seen
yesterday and asked concerning an article
which appeared recently about the opera
ton of the New York Steam Company In
New York city. Mr.. Dale said that the &C
count Of the operation of the system re-
ferred to, while in one sense might be tech
nically accurate, considered in a different
way was misleading because Of its not be-
ing a parallel case. He said: THE New
York Steam Company's plant was installed
In 1850 and was the first large plant which
was ever built for the distribution of steam.
Their business was not confined wholly to
heating buildings, but was more particular
ly adapted for furnishing steam at high
pressure for power purposes, and they at
one time had several hundred steam en-
gines connected with their mains, a large
number of which have been since super
seeded by electric motors.
AT the time the New York plant was
built the mechanical equipment put into
the lines was crude considered from the
standpoint of the present practice In that
direction. The pipes We're imperfectly in
sulated. and, consequently, a large amount
of heat was radiated into the surrounding
ground. Suitable provisions for disposing
OF the large amount of water or condensed
steam due to this imperfect protection was
not provided.
THE first district steam heating plant
that was ever established was built in
Lockport. N. Y. about twenty-three years
ago, and the plant Is still In successful op-
Grafton and has been In operation for that
period without interruption.
CITIES THAT USE 1T.
There are a number of cities much near
er than New York in which district steam
heating plants are being operated with en-
tire satisfaction to the companies owning
the same and to the consumers as well.
Among these might be mentioned those of
Terre Haute, Ind; Danville and Springfield,
ILL.,: Grand Rapids. Mich; Marinette, Wis;
Seattle, Wash: Grand Forks, N. D.; Tiffin,
o.; Youngstown, o.; Erie. Pa; Wilkins
burg, Pa; Wilkesbarre, Pa; Scranton, Pa:
Allentown. Pa; Cumberland. Md, and At
ianta, Ga. In all there are some $50 district
steam heating plants distributed around
the country which are free from the objec-
lions offered as being present in New York
city"
The plans of Mr.. Dale and his associates
contemplate the erection of one or more
plants conveniently located, which shall be
sufficient to heat those residence districts
where a sufficient number of consumers
can be secured to warrant the heavy ex-
pense of installing the underground mains
as we'll as the business district. The inves-
tigation of other plants which have been
made warrants them in guaranteeing abso-
lutely sufficient heat to all of their consum-
ers. no matter how remote they may be sit
uated from a station. provided. of course.
that a proper amount OF radiation is in
stalled In the premises.
One very desirable feature connected
with this plan is the fact that the steam
will be on continuously at full pressure
and can be instantly made available.
Where 1T is desired to have hot water in
addition the same can be readily secured
by placing a coil Of pipe in the present
hot water boiler. which will supply ali
of the hot water required for domestic
use.
The prices which are secured for this
service In other cities are based usually
upon the cost of fuel to the consumer, and
in indianapolis would probably be slightly
higher than the present cost for natural
gas. but not sufficient to preclude the use
of steam by anyone.
EASTERN MAN HERE.
A representative of an Eastern company,
who is familiar with enterprises of a like
character. is here at the present time in
vestigating the matter Of installing sucn
a system in indianapolis. He gives 1t as
his opinion that In the residence district
steam heat can be successfully distributed
as far as Fall creek on the North Side,
providing so or go per cent. of the residents
on any particular street or streets can
be secured, and that the distribution can
be successfully accomplished on the South
Side, providing some 20 or so per cent. of
the residents become consumers. The
parties back of this enterprise contem-
plate the installation OF 1000 or 5000 feet
of mains this season. providing a fran
chise can be secured from the city at once
Mr.. Dale added further that the heating
by steam from a central station does not
require any different appliances i'm a resi-
dence or business building than are ordi-
narily installed for either steam or hot
water heating. and that the service pipes
from the street mains can be attached &c
any existing system Of radiation, whether
arranged for steam or hot water. so tina
buildings already piped can be served from
the central station at a very slight cost
for making the necessary connections.
Mr.. Dale stated also as a fact that II
would be impossible for any one TO deter
mine whether any building was heated
from a private plant or from a district
plant so far as results are concerned. thai
probably the only difference would be thai
the heating from the district plant would
be far more satisfactory, owing 10 tht
continuous service. He also mentioned an
ether feature In this conection-that ones
house could be shut up for two or thret
weeks In the winter season. and by leaving
two or three radiators turned on thers
would be no danger from freezing OF water
pipes or any other injury of a like nature
while the house was closed.