History of District Energy in Ohio

Steam heating regulated

Electric companies with district heating service:

  • Canton, Coshocton, Lima, New Philadelphia, Fremont
  • Ohio Edison
  • Akron, Youngstown, Springfield

    District Heating Systems in Ohio:

  • Ada - Ada Water, Heat & Light Co.1910N, 1917S, [Ohio Power 1948E] Electrical World 46 (1905): 563
  • Akron - Holly receives contract for Akron steam system Lockport Daily Journal 15 July 1880 Holly steam system being installed in Akron, Ohio under Edgar P. Holly 7 Aug 1880 Akron Steam Heating Co, 1927R, held by Northern Ohio Traction & Light Co, formed 1927. Ohio Edison 1930R, 1962L, 1977L 1932R Medium pressure service continued June 15, 1931 New installation B12:130 April 1927 MAP & Description B13:83, Jan 1928 ``New Steam Main Extension in Akron'' DH 43:3,93 10/57 550 ft line 8 in Beech St Steam Plant started steam operation in October 1927 on 1888 power plant site. Generated halted in 1913 with completion of Gorge Plant. 1967 344 customers, 682,628,000 lb/yr, 13.7. Picture of Wendell Willkie in June 1940 S/68, p19 Request cutoff 1971 DH win 73,6, City recommends take over, p 34 Akron Recycle Energy System 1977 PIDHA, DHj79,5 District steam system to be transferred to city upon completion University of Akron, HTHW system Akron City Hospital B.F.Goodrich
  • Alliance - Mount Union College, 1992C
  • Athens - Ohio University, 1992C, Steam, HW
  • Barberton - A large electric plant to furnish light, ice, steam heat, power, etc., is projected by O. C. Barber of Barton, Ohio Power 22(1):24 January 1902, 1917S, [Ohio Power 1948E]
  • Bowling Green - Bowling Green Electric Light & Power Co.1910N, 1917HW, [Bowling Green Electric Department 1948E] The Bowling Green Light, Heat and Power company has absorbed the plant of the Citizens Electric Light and Power Co of Bowling Green. The new company will furnish power for two railroads, light and city and also furnish heat from a steam heating plant. WE 29:124 24 Aug 1901
  • Bryan - Bryan Electric Co.1910N [Bryan Light and Water Works 1948E]
  • Canton - Canton Electric Co.1910L, Central Power Co, 1917S, 1919R, 1921R, 1925R, Ohio Power Co 1930R, 1940E 42-year old system can be shut down June 30, 1950, PNDHA 40:103 1949 Ohio Edison requests Steam cut off 1971, extended to 75. DH win 73,6
  • Cincinnati - 1917S (2 systems) Thomas J. Emery Memorial, 110 Fourth St NDHA Member 1933 Operates a central heating system which serves a residential district. This is about ninth heating season. B 20:81 April 1935 Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co. 1940E, 1962L, 1967 Studley (furnishes small steam heating service in downtown Cincinnati) The company has under lease space in the basement of the Carew Tower Building, which which it constructed in 1930 a steam heating plant having an aggregate rated boiler capacity of 1,592 h.p. This plant serves part of the downtown business area of Cincinnati. the company also leases a steam heating plant located at 525 Walnut Street in Cincinnati, known as the Keith plant which has an aggregate rated boiler capacity of 450 h.p. This plant also seves a part of the downtown area of Cincinnati. 1940 Moodys 1969 Sold Steam heating facilities which served a small area in downtown Cincinnati. Emery Realty Co., 1977L Central Station Heating Co. Stock offered. W. E. Hutton & Co of Cincinnati are receiving subscriptions for 10,000 share of the company's capital stock, both common and preferred, ``full paid and non-assessable.'' The company, it is stated, controls the inventions, rights and the services of the inventor, Col. Isaac D. Smead, formerly of Toledo, O., for heating buildings from central stations, including his stand-pipe system and hot-water lines. The company owns the sole right to operate in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan, and as parent company will share in the profits of the local companies to be organized. The capital stock if $500,000 6 percent preferred stock and $11,500,000 common stock, all full paid. W. E. Hutton is President and Treasurer. Many small stations, it is said, are now in satisfactory operation. General offices, No 110 East Third St., Cincinnati ,O. C70:1251 23 June 1900 Cincinnati Enquirer has inssued a pamphlet containing articles on the various industries of Cincinnati. C71:88 14 July 1900 ``Chordal'' writes in the American Machinist of the Cincinnati Exposition: ``Owing to some vast oversight, no provision had been made for getting exhaust steam out of the buildings. Steam pipes and water pipes are brought to the spaces nicely, but exhaust pipes must go into a stovepipe hole in the hall. The flues start just about where the holes come, and traps must be arranged to get rid of condensation. No matter how carefully pipes are cemented into these holes, they will be bound to give awy, and then we will see some fine frescoing on the walls. As I look at the thing, the flues will condense exhaust steam, which will fill up the flue, till it can run back through the pipe it came through. PASE 2:373 October 15, 1879 University of Cincinnati, 1992C
  • 7. Cleveland - 1917S (3 systems) Cleveland Electric Railway Co have during the past year been delivering exhaust steam to an adjoining salt works for evaporating purposes with very satisfactory results. The steam is carried through a large conduit about 1,000 feet in length. Robert M. Hughes Power 20(4)18 April 1900 Cleveland Electric Light & Power co.1910L, D. J. Hard, owner and Manager, founder of NDHA B1:121, Cleveland Light & Power 1919R, 1925R General Dudley J. Hard, charter member NDHA, since World War buys electricity and heat from Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. B19:52 Oct 1933 Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co.1910L, 1917R, 1925R, 1930R, 1962L, 1977L, sold December 1987 to Cleveland Thermal Energy Corp, 1992C, Steam. Plant built (Canal Road Plant) in 1894, First steam in 1906, exhaust piped to a customer's neighboring warehouse. 2nd plant East 20th St. Serves Cleveland State University. W69,13 B1:46, Oct 15 CEIco ordered to construct steam line. CEIco installing 12,000 line to extend downtown heating service and connect to new central steam plant at East 20th St and Lakeside ave. B10:197 Oct 1924 East 20th St Heating Plant Description, picture, etc B13:140 April 1928 Bradley Light & Power Company 1921R, 1925R Cuyahoga Light Co.1910L & N City of Cleveland, Dept of Pub Utilities 1926MO, 1962L Kirkland Mutual Co 1962L Shaker Utilities Co 1962L Medical Center Co. 1977L
  • Columbus - A company has been incorporated in Columbus, Oh., with a capital of $150,000, which states that it is ready to furnish steam for heating houses and running machinery in any part of the city. American Architect and Building News 2:332 13 October 1877 April 8, 1901 Indianola Land & Power Co. 1902L, 1917HW, Municipal Franchises 1910 Ground has been broken for the power house of the Indianola Electric, Heating and lighting company which will furnish the north side of Columbus with heat and light. WE 29:265 19 Oct 1901 Indianola Heating & Lighting Co, Asks for enlargement of franchise for the purpose, it is said, of entering into competition with the local lighting companies. ENSup 50:80 6Aug03 Indianola Heating and Heating Co, the city of Columbus has granted this company a 25-year franchise for the furnishing of electricity, steam and hot water. The company was incorporated in West Virginia last November. The property of the Indianola Land and Power Co was taken over. Thelaying of mains for the heating plant began last spring and preparations were begun for the construction of a 1,000 horse power plant on King Ave. The ``Ohio State Journal'' of Aug 17 contains the ordinance in full. The organizers being William H. Sharp, A. S. Green J. K. Henry, J. E. McCarty, and George H. Bulford. C77:454 29 August 1903 Specifications are being prepared for an addition to the electric-light and hot-water heating plant of the Public Service Company of Columbus, which will double its capacity. Western Electrician 36:338, 29 April 1905. The Columbus Public Service Company is contemplating the installation of steam turbines in its plant on Mound Street. The only question in the way is as to whether the exhaust steam from them will maintain the hot-water heating system, as with the other style of engines. WE 6:490 17 June 1905. Acquired by Columbus Light, Heat & Power Co (1 Aug 1908 Ohio) per plan in V87:346, 547. Columbus Light, Heat & Power leased for 50 years to Columbus Railway & Light Co from 1908. Electrical World 44 (3 Dec 1904):927 description B 1:20 Oct 15, just completing the installation of a central dh plant in the city of columbus. Columbus Railway & Light Co.1910L, W. A. Wolls, manager and founder of NDHA B1:121 merged into Columbus Railway, Power & Light Co c98:235,239 17 Jan 1914, 1917R, 1919R, 1925R Columbus Heating Co. Douglas Deahl Mgr will erect 3-story heating plant on Laselle St ENsup 50:128 27Aug03 Ohio Utilities Co. NDHA Member 1926 Columbus Railway and Light Co incorporated in Ohio May 12 [1903] C76:1084 16 May 1903 Reference may perhaps be made to the work done by the Columbus, O., Public Service Company in supplying hot water as part of its business. extensive description PNELA 25:23-5 1905 [Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Co 1948E steam, Columbus Division of Electricity] Columbus State Community College, 1992C Ohio State University, 1992C, Steam
  • Coshocton - Coshocton Light & Heat Co.1902L, 1910L, 1917HW, Ohio Service Co., 1917R, 1921R hot water [Ohio Power co 1948E]
  • Dayton - 1917S (2 systems) Dayton Heating Co, Harry C. Kiefaber has asked for a heating franchise EN sup 50:48 23Jul03, franchise pending EN sup 50:112, 20 Aug03 Dayton Lighting Co.1910L, Dayton Power & Light Co. 1917R, 1919R, 1925R, 1930E, 1940E, 1948E, 1962L, 1977L, 1990 Moodys 2 steam plants & steam distribution facility, 1992C, Steam ADSCO Adv, Since 1906 The Dayton P&L Co has called in... Back cover B July 1927 Replaces 400 ft of 50 year old 4 in low pressure line with new 8 in. DH 42:2,55 (10/56) 615 customers, 2,050,000 M lbs sales, 1,247 mlbs/hr generating capacity, $1,819,000 operating revenue 1956 annual report DH 42:4,138 4/57 New 457 ft 14 in low pressure steam line protected by a monolithic conduit will last 100 years. Replaced wood encased 1924 steam line DH 43:3,95 1/58 University of Dayton, 1992C
  • Defiance - Defiance Street Railway Co.1910N [Toledo Edison 1948E]
  • Delaware - Edward F. Gwynne starts heating system in Delaware, Scientific American Supplement June 1900 Delaware Electric Light and Power Co 1902A, Delaware Light, Heat & Power Co.1910L, E. F. Gwynne, manager, founder of NDHA, died of typhoid fever 1910 or so, 1917HW, Ohio Utilities Co. 1925R, 1930R, hot water 1932, Steam & hot water 1940 Moodys [Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Co 1940E?, 1948E?] Gwynne Central Station Heating Co. of Delaware in operation four years Delaware Electric Light American Architect 74:62 23 Nov 1902
  • East Liverpool - The United Power Company, East LIverpool, has been incorporated, with a capital stock of $900,000, to build and operate power and other plants and to furnish steam and leectric power to private individuals and corporations. Louis A. Healy, Jason H. Brooks, George C. Anderson, William F. Halstead, and Louis A. Waters are the incorporters. Western Electrician 28:25 January 5, 1901
  • Elyria - Ford Light and Heating Co incorporated by J. C. Hill, J. B. Seward, D. L. Warden, WE 36:15 April 1905, Elyria Gas & Electric Co.1910N, 1917S, [Ohio Public Service Co 1948E]
  • Findlay - Findlay Street Railway Co.1910N [Central Ohio Light & Power Co 1948E]
  • Fostoria - City Heat & Light Co new electric plant Power 19(6)22 May 1899, City Heating & Lighting, Nov 1899 21 An electric light and steam heating plant is to be built at Fostoria, Ohio by Barber Bros, Delaware O. Power 22(4):55 April 1902 [Ohio Power 1948E]
  • Fremont - An electric light plant and hot water heating plant are to be built at Fremont, Ohio by A. H. Jackson and others. Power 21(11):22 November 1901 Fremont Yaryan Co.1910L, Ohio Power Co 1917HW, 1917R, Central Power Co 1919R, 1921R, 1925R, Ohio Power Co 1930R, Hot Water 1932, 1940E?
  • Granville - Electric Light Plant, 1910N [Ohio Power 1948E] Denison University, 1992C, Steam
  • Greenville - Local electric light company is said to be having plans made for hot water heating system ENSup 50:273 5Nov03 [Greenville Electric Light & Power Co 1948E, no heating 1927 PUC]
  • Hamilton - Hamilton Heating and Power Co has asked franchise for lighting and heating plant here ENsup50:385 31dec03 [Hamilton Municipal Electric & Gas Department 1948E]
  • Kent - Kent State University, 1992C, Steam
  • Kenton - Kenton Gas & Electric Co.1910N [Ohio Power 1948E] An electric light plant will be erected at Kenton by the People's Heat and Light Co, which was lately incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000. This company will compete with the Kenton Gas & Electric company. WE 28:366 25 May 1901
  • Leipsic - Electric Light Plant 1910N, 1917S, [Ohio Power 1948E]
  • Lima - Lima electric Light & Power Co Consolidated with Lima Railway Aug 1 1900, Lima Electric Railway & Light Co, acquired 31 Dec 1909 by Ohio Electric Railway Co.(inc May 16, 1907 Ohio), 1910N, 1917S, 1919R, 1921R, Ohio Power Co. 1925R, 1930R, 1967 Studley Steam turned on, October 1, 1902. Article from unidentified Lima, Ohio newspaper in ADSCO 1902 Scrapbook. Discontinued June 1955
  • Mariemont - Adsco installation at district heating plant in Mariemont, back cover B july 1926 [Cincinnati Gas & Electric 1948E]
  • Miami City - 1917HW
  • Middletown - 1917HW
  • New Philadelphia - 1917S, Ohio Service Co. 1920R, 1925R, Ohio Power Co 1930R, 1967 Studley, in 1953 Moodys, not in 1954
  • Oberlin - Oberlin Gas & Electric Co.1910N, 1917S [Oberlin Municipal Light and Power System 1948E]
  • Ottawa - Ottawa Electric Light Co.1910L, 1917S [Ohio Power 1948E]
  • Oxford - Miami Heating Plant1910N, 1919R [Cincinnati Gas & Electric 1948E]
  • Painesville - Painesville Water and Steam Heating Co capital $200,000 EN8:495 3 Dec 1881 [City of Painesville 1948E]
  • Piqua - Miami Light, Heat & Power Co.1910L, 1917HW, Evans-Almirall Dayton Power & Light Co rate increase B4:4 oct 18, not mentioned 1928 PUC Piqua Muncipal Power Dept 1948E, 1962L, 1977L DH started 1943 DH Sum71,10 District Heating for Piqua, Ohio, DH O79,12+ New hot water system
  • Springfield - Eldridge, 1898 - Home Light, Power and Heat Co.; American Railways Co. sold plant to Peoples, R. H. Sharp, Manager WE 36:339 29 April 1905. 1904 Peoples Light, Heat and Power Co. started, served 13 customers. Mentioned WE 36:100 4 Feb 1905; The People's Heat, Light and Power Company of Springfield has been incorporated with a capital stock of $2 million to take over the light plant owned by the American Railways Company and the Citizen's Heat, Light and Power Co. W. H. Sharpe, R. H. Sharpe and some other men connected with the Columbus Public Service Company are said to be interested in the new company. The plan is to establish a hot-water heating plant, in connection with the light plant, on the same plan as the one is operated in Columbus. WE36:316-7 22 April 1905 Home Lighting, Power and Heating Co incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000 WE 29:247 12 Oct 1901 A Modern Power Plant - The People's Light, Heat and Power Company The exhaust steam from the main generator engines will ultimately be delivered to a ``Yaryan'' system of exhaust steam heating mains, and on this account the exhaust piping is heavily covered with magnesia sectional covering. Power 26:457 August 1906 Springfield Light, Heat & Power Co. (Aug 1908, Maine) Springfield Light, Heat & Power Co.1910L was formed in 1908 and acquired both earlier companies, 1909 constructed Rockaway plant. From four customers in 1898 to 205 in 1968 183,072,000 lb/yr, 5.4 miles Late in the fall of 1924 the City of Springfield decided to use Central station steam and discontinue the use of four return boilers. results B11:124 April 1926 Springfield Light, Heat & Power Co. ,incorporated several months ago, purchased Springfield Light & Power from American Railways Co. The new company also lately bought ground for a heating plant just in the rear of the lighting plant now purchased. C76:1412 27 June 1903 Ohio Edison 1917S, 1925R, 1930R, 1962L, 1977L SLHPCo spending $30,000 in heating main extensions, Shuey factories, Knights of Columbus, and new hotel B1:21, Oct 15 Rockaway Steam Plant OE requests shut down 1971, delayed to 75, DH win 73,6 Hodenpyl, Hardy J. E. North, W. P. Whittington B2:13, Oct 16 1917R Citizens Steam, Light & Power Co will erect steam heating plant on West Jefferson St ENSup 50:128 27Aug03 Discontinued 1 November 1980, except to a few customers under special contract discontinued 1 May 1981.
  • Tiffin - Tiffin Edison Illuminating Co. 1902L, 1910N, 1917S [Ohio Power 1948E]
  • Toledo - 1917HW, (3 systems) The Home Heating & Lighting Co., Toledo, O. have decided to build a new plant. H. T. Yaryan, superintendent Power 19(3)22 March 1899 H. T. Yaryan, manager of the Toledo Lighting and Heating Company is reported to have denied the rumor that his company would extend its system to the business section of the city to compete with the Toledo Railways and Light Company. Irving B. Hiett has been elected president of the Toledo Lighting and Heating Company to succeed T. W. Childs, who resigned a short time ago. WE 36:358 6 may 1903. Sept 9, 1907, Central Heating & Lighting Co. HW & Steam The Central Heating and Lighting co of Toledo has been incorproated with a capital stock of $25,000. The charter allows the use of steam, hot water, or electricity. The incorporators are Charles S. Ashley, Willard Robinson, Albro Blodgett, J. M. Born and George A. Tuttle WE 28:277 20 April 1901 Sept 30, 1907, People's Heat & Power Co. Forbidden to sell or convey franchise to any firm or corporation or unite with any other company except the Yaryan Light & Power Co. East Side Heating and Lighting Co has franchise in this city ENSup 50:232 15oct 03 Toledo Heating & Lighting Co 1902L, Edward B. Yaryan superintendent 1903-06, TASME 33:1210 1911 Toledo Railway & Light Co. (Inc July 1901) 1910L, 1917R, Hot Water Valentine Heating Co.1910L Toledo Edison 1925R, 1930R (both HW & Steam), hot water 1932, 1962L, 1977L Most of the steam heating system was recently rebuilt DH 43:1,24 7/57 Water Street station new boiler fall 1961 DH 4/60,146 249 downtown customers DH 10/64,65 B oct20, 1915 description by A. C. Rogers 1892 installed hot water DH system 1907 sold to Toledo Railways & Light Co. H. L. Doherty obtains judgment, requests receiver. c98:306 24 Jan 1914 Floyd st station 22nd St Station 1915 largest HW dh system Will burn gas in Water st station B1:142 jul 16 Both steam & hw B2:46 Jan 17 Comparison of direct, indirecdt and combination hot water central heating systems B5:75 Jul 20 Detroit Ave Station 1919R Wildwood Service Co - 1917R hot water LaSalle & Koch Co. NDHA Member 1926 L&K heating co discontinues service. B32:23 Oct 1946 Mutual heating & Lighting Co B4:108 jul 19 The Toledo Gas, Electric & Heating Company, as reported, will spend $250,000 on improvements Power 25:581 September 1905 Toledo Edison incorporated 1901 - Small amount of steam heating, 10 MW steam at Water St. 1967 Studley, no steam 1990 moodys Medical College of Ohio at Toledo, 1992C, Steam Troy - 1917S
  • Van Wert - 1902A, Van Wert Public Service Co.1910N [Associates Gas & Electric ] [Ohio Power 1948E]
  • Washington Court House - Washington Smead Hot Water Co 1902L, Washington Heat & Electric Co.1910L, 1917HW, sold 1 Jan 1926 to Dayton Power & Light 1928 PUC, in 1950 Moodys, not in 51
  • Youngstown - 1899 Independent electric co supplied exhaust steam to handful of downtown businesses. 1906 Youngsteam steam heating co constructed a plant to supply steam to about 25 buildings. ``Oddly, there was no electric generation association with this early steam heating operation.'' Mahoning County Light Company organized in 1913, bought Youngstown SHc in 1915. In 1917 the Mahoning and Shenango Railway and Light Co acquired the steam heating facilities and began supplying exhaust steam at North Avenue gen station building in 1889. Pennsylvania-Ohio Power and Light Co merged into Ohio Edison 1930. 196 customers in 1967, 477,919,000 lbs/yr, 5.6 miles. Youngstown Steam Heating Co. 1902L, 1910L, 1917S, 1917R, 1919R, Mahoning County Light Co 1921R, 1925R, 1930R, Ohio Edison 1962L, 1977L Serves Youngstown University. North Avenue Steam Plant. Pennsylvania & Ohio Co NDHA Member 1926 Sold 29 September 1980 to Youngstown Thermal Energy Corporation, 1992C, Steam. Youngstown State University, 1992C, Steam, CW