Why does steam come through the sewers in New York?

Answer 1

One of the few redeeming qualities of winter in New York City are those beautiful columns of steam that rise from the streets. Walking along, you catch these great clouds of vapor churning and billowing — particularly at twilight, through the headlights and street lights.

So what’s it all about?

Under the streets of New York City is the largest steam distribution system in the world.

On March 3, 1882, the first steam distribution plant of importance in the U.S. made its first distribution of steam from a central plant at to the United Bank Building on Broadway, sending steam to heat buildings in lower Manhattan.

The New York Steam Corporation, formed July 26, 1880, consolidated with the Steam Heating and Power Company of New York in September 1881. The company was sold in 1915, but when the parent company went bankrupt two years later it was reorganized as the New York Steam Corporation. It was merged into the Consolidated Edison system in the 1930s.

This article from the Gotham Gazette’s infrastructure series draws the broad contours of the current steam system.

Seven steam plants, five in Manhattan and one each in Queens and Brooklyn generate the millions of pounds steam that run under the city’s streets. The steam heats housing, offices, a few churches, and NYC landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the United Nations. It is used to press your shirts and in the central sterilization unit St. Vincent’s Hospital. I also note that the system stops south of 96th street.

Those plumes in the street may be releasing pressure or perhaps just a leak. The system moves steam at high pressures to maintain the temperature and push it through the system.

Three of the plants simultaneously produce both steam and electricity through a process called co-generation. At the height of winter, the system sends out nearly 10 million pounds of steam per hour. Sales from ConEd’s Steam Business Unit account for about 7 percent of total Con Edison revenues.

And because the steam is mass-produced, it is more economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly than the hundred thousand individual oil or gas boilers it replaces. Centralized steam eliminates the need for boilers in individual buildings along with million gallons of heavy fuel oil and traffic from fuel delivery trucks. The steam plants use low sulfur oil or clean-burning natural gas to produce steam. High tech burners further lower nitrogen oxide emissions.


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Answer 2

Why Do Sewers Steam

Answer 3

Slow drifting steam is condensation from the warmth of water running through sewer pipes and warming the ground-water sewers. So that stuff is just like breathing out when it's cold.

The rush of air coming up (like famously blew marylin moroes dress up) is cause by the subway trains pushing air up ventilation shafts.

Steam only comes out when it's really cold (its actually condensation not steam) but hollywood puts it there all the time because it looks good!

Answer 4

Boston is an essential mixture of colonial record and cutting-edge innovation. From the charming cobblestones of Beacon Hill and progressive landmarks of the Freedom Trail, to the well-known grounds of Harvard University and Fenway Park, Boston is just a treasure trove of Americana and with hotelbye you can have the chance to know that treasure. Boston is famous it as the "holder of liberty" and Faneuil Hall is one of many places must-see just like the adjacent Faneuil Hall Marketplace, a place which includes three long halls: Quincy Industry, North Market, and South Market. , Faneuil Hall Marketplace is relationship from the early 19th century and is now entertained with a vibrant range of stores, restaurants, and exhibitions. In excellent climate, you will find road performers and buskers wearing shows in the square round the market.

Answer 5

Variance in temperature between the air at street level and the heat of the water in the sewers...NYC can be a cold place...

Answer 6

Because there is alot of chemical reactions happening in there, creates heat, but you don't see it all the time, the outside temp has to be lower than the underground temp, and it's not steam it's condensation.

Answer 7

the air above ground is cooler than the air below ground.

It works the same way as when you blow air out of your mouth when it's cold out side; you can see it

Answer 8

it doesnt just happen in new york. i saw it in south London yesterday.

Answer 9

i think it has to do with the temperature of the effluent versus the ambient temperature

Answer 10

cause water pipes are hot