New York City steam system

The New York City steam system is a district heating infrastructure in Manhattan that delivers steam to buildings across the borough. Underground pipes connect residential towers, office complexes, and public facilities to generating stations located in several parts of the city.

The New York Steam Company launched the network in 1882 in lower Manhattan and expanded it over the following decades. Later ownership changes led to further growth, making it one of the largest commercial steam networks in the country.

The orange and white smokestacks mark street corners where steam rises from underground, especially visible during cold months. These vents have become part of everyday city life, appearing in films and photographs as symbols of urban energy.

The smokestacks and maintenance access points are visible at many intersections across Manhattan, marking where the system runs beneath the street surface. Steam venting is most noticeable during cooler months, when moist air rises from underground openings.

Steam clouds from street openings sometimes rise suddenly and blanket entire sidewalks, creating a signature scene of the cityscape. Temporary repair tents occasionally appear over vents, briefly sectioning off parts of streets for underground maintenance work.