Hydronic Shell: An Affordable Solution for Multifamily Deep Energy Retrofit

Summary

Many US multifamily buildings lack adequate insulation, hindering thermal performance and electrification efforts for space heating. This report evaluates the Hydronic Shell (HS) system, an innovative retrofit that adds an insulated stud wall layer with a hydronic heating/cooling system to existing masonry walls, powered by a central heat pump. Experimental results show the HS system effectively improves thermal resilience and allows space heating electrification, maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures even in cold outdoor conditions.

Key Facts

Source Document

https://example-government.gov/policy-document-link