Submitted by Brief_Exit1798 t3_y4r0or in baltimore
Comments
RevRagnarok t1_isgi8eq wrote
In their defense, apparently some sections of Baltimore are still on distributed steam loops. TIL because I only had previously known about sections of NYC and Philly from walking over the steam leaks in the sidewalks in the winter.
> Veolia Energy, a successor of the 1887 Boston Heating Company, operates a 26-mile (42 km) district system in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also operates systems in Philadelphia PA, Baltimore MD, Kansas City MO, Tulsa OK, Houston TX and other cities.
wampuswrangler t1_ishwx8f wrote
I only learned about this recently as well, was unaware there is currently steam distribution in Baltimore. There's talk of reviving and expanding steam distribution in cities as a replacement for natural gas heating in an effort to reduce co2 emissions. Since steam is a byproduct of electricity generation and other industrial processes it is essentially a free source of heat that just needs to be piped and distributed across a city. It was commonplace 100 years ago, it would be cool to see it make a comeback.
RevRagnarok t1_isj0u5z wrote
I actually read a good chunk of that article and the 5G concept is insane[ly awesome if viable]. Like a supermarket pumping heat into a loop to cool the groceries that a neighbor takes out to warm a building.
wbruce098 t1_isj4jwq wrote
Pretty cool concept but they’d need to find a solution that isn’t just releasing steam into the streets. Sometimes driving through downtown, you can’t see the car in front of you. Fun times! (I know there’s a few in stacks on the sidewalk, though)
wampuswrangler t1_isjwoks wrote
The nature if a distribution system would make that pretty hard, like asking for a water system that doesn't leak. But agreed, if something becomes a hazard with a steam leak then it should need to get fixed asap because steam can be dangerous.
Natensity t1_ism93im wrote
I laughed about this post to my boyfriend and he told me these loops. I think his college campus had a similar system. TIL
wbruce098 t1_isj4guv wrote
Oh, definitely could be! I see these steam vents everywhere but I’m from further south so I didn’t know what they were for! Thanks!
dopkick t1_isflhl6 wrote
A not insignificant number of people basically don’t even know how to hold a screwdriver. This isn’t surprising.
[deleted] t1_isfschr wrote
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Literally_Mystified t1_ishi3xn wrote
That's funny!
Ritaontherocksnosalt t1_isj9iae wrote
And maybe they live in a complex where you don't have an individual tank. Maybe their building is a 'big block' with many apts.
Brief_Exit1798 OP t1_isjaobs wrote
This is a group of a block of row houses. Not a central apartment. Maybe it's mean for me to post but I kept it annomous so no one was personally ridiculed while making fun.
Natoghost-Bmore t1_isjrw3v wrote
Most likely the response was correct, but some buildings in the city use what’s called a steam heat exchanger. City brings steam into your home and heats the water that way. They charge by how much condensate gos back.
It’s mainly used in commercial. Harbor East is mainly all heated this way. Domestic water and heating water.
Source: Me, 486 union journeyman hvac/plumber
nightingaledaze t1_isn89vy wrote
when we bought our home our inspector gave us a basic book to owning a home. though I haven't really referenced it it does have some great information for people who have never been in a home or had to maintain any part of one before like changing out filters for your air conditioner or what to do if your lights go out. I think they should be handed out more by the city to homeowners.
Mikel32 t1_ishcp5f wrote
Wow
BlarghMachine t1_isga2u6 wrote
Being in a home and maintaining it requires a lot of knowledge. I grew up in an apartment, moved into illegal apartments that didn’t maintain or repair anything and never was given a crash course on what could go wrong in a home/what’s required to keep it functional. I always feel like it’s decently privileged to assume everyone should have basic knowledge - of anything really - because it’s all about our relative experience. I teach myself everything I know with the help of experts I’ve met and the internet, if I didn’t have those resources I’d be clueless. I’m still clueless about plenty I “should” know about bc I lack the access for those things to be relevant in my life.