Skip to main content

Detroit Edison District

Detroit Edison District Heating System
Society: ASME Main Category: Mechanical Sub Category: Environmental Control Era: 1900-1909 DateCreated: 1903 2000 Second Street Detroit State: MI Zip: 48226 Country: USA Website: https://www.asme.org/about-asme/who-we-are/engineering-history/landmarks/105-detroit-edison-district-heating-system, https://www.asme.org/getmedia/c43f3200-c9df-4a17-a3f5-5c1d07c87fa5/105-Detroit-Edison-District-Heating-System.aspx Creator: Holly, Birdsill

The concept of heating a number of buildings in the core area of a city from a single heating plant was introduced into the United States by Birdsill Holly at Lockport, New York, in 1877. The gain in thermal efficiency of a single large steam plant over a series of small isolated boilers led to widespread commercial installation of district heating. Organized by the Detroit Edison Company, the Central Heating Company began service here in 1903, supplying twelve customers with steam piped from the Edison Company's Willis Avenue Plant. Today's greatly enlarged system continues in operation.

YearAdded:
1985
Image Credit: Courtesy ASME Image Caption: Detroit Edison District Heating System Era_date_from: 1903
Subscribe to Detroit Edison District
Detroit Edison District Heating System

The concept of heating a number of buildings in the core area of a city from a single heating plant was introduced into the United States by Birdsill Holly at Lockport, New York, in 1877. The gain in thermal efficiency of a single large steam plant over a series of small isolated boilers led to…

Read More

We hope you enjoyed this essay.

Please support this 70-year tradition of trusted historical writing and the volunteers that sustain it with a donation to American Heritage.

Donate

Stay informed - subscribe to our newsletter.
The subscriber's email address.