We used to have a Steam Plant...

Scotty Why

I just bought a house that was built around 1920. I was reading in a local history book that there used to be a Steam Plant at the end of my street that provided heat for the whole neighborhood. I've been reading Dan's book and he repeatedly makes the point that you have to think about steam in terms of the whole system. So I was just wondering, if there are any special considerations or potential issues that might stem from the fact that my house used to be part of a much larger system?

Brad White_185

I assume that

when the central district plant went away, that you still have heat!

No real consideration because what happens within the confines of the house would be common regardless of the heating source. By this I mean that if you had central district steam, you probably had steam radiators if not a steam to hot water heat exchanger and a condensate pump to return the condensate (if a localized district; in many cities they cool it then dump it. Say "Doh!" somebody.)

If you had steam radiators, one has to assume that a steam boiler was used to replace it or if hot water that the radiators are properly sized for the temperature of the water circulated.

I am sure there is more to it than that, so just a few points. Sounds like a find, a unique patch of turf ahead of it's time in it's day. Where is it?