Across the country, older multifamily buildings are expensive to operate and maintain. Owners spend huge resources repairing failing facades and outdated heating systems — and residents pay the price in higher utility bills, poor ventilation, and unsafe indoor temperatures year-round.
Hydronic Shell Technologies’ Thinking Outside the Box innovation adds an energy-efficient electric HVAC system within a new insulated outer shell.
- Prefabricated panels attach to the building exterior
- Work happens without displacing residents
- Panels can be customized to match community design preferences
The result: improved heating, cooling, ventilation, and comfort — delivered with minimal disruption.
Impact to Date
- Finalized design of a proprietary HydroBox HVAC unit
- Formalized a consortium of implementation partners
- Constructed two full-scale mock-up walls
The support of the challenge and the other winners is so important to continue driving these innovations forward and ultimately making them successful. David Goldstein, Founder and CEO, Hydronic Shell Technologies |
What's Next
Hydronic Shell will demonstrate its system with an installation in Albany, N.Y., in collaboration with the Syracuse Housing Authority. The team aims to show how their approach can:
- Replace aging boiler systems
- Decarbonize and modernize thousands of buildings
- Improve resident health, comfort, and energy efficiency, creating healthier, more comfortable homes for residents.
The team is currently raising additional funding to retrofit a multifamily property in Syracuse, New York, in collaboration with the Syracuse Housing Authority, and engaging with other housing authorities interested in their HVAC innovation. They are also developing the technology for their innovation’s application to new construction.
