Upendra Kachru’s concept of “Envelope Conditioning” refers to an innovative approach to heating and cooling buildings by managing the thermal properties of the building envelope—the walls, roof, and floors—rather than relying solely on traditional HVAC systems. This method was detailed in his 1994 paper titled “A Novel Method of Cooling & Heating of Buildings – Envelope Conditioning”, presented at the “Excellence in Housing” conference in Dallas, Texas. Source?

Later Publication: Kachru often included the core concepts in later publications. For example:
• Book Chapter: Kachru, U. (1999). Envelope conditioning. In Mechanical Engineers’ Handbook: Energy and Power (Vol. 4, pp. 504–511). Wiley.
→ This chapter summarizes the concept and cites the 1994 conference paper as the origin.

1. Book Chapters & Handbooks

Kachru, U. (1999):

• “Envelope Conditioning” in Mechanical Engineers’ Handbook: Energy and Power (Vol. 4, pp. 504–511)
  Editors: Myer Kutz; Publisher: Wiley
  → Significance: This chapter formalizes his concept for broader engineering audiences and cites the 1994 conference paper as the origin.

2. Peer-Reviewed Journals & Conference Papers

• Kachru, U. (1998):“Performance of a Thermal Storage Wall in Envelope Conditioning” in ASHRAE Transactions, 104(1), 1114–1121→ Compares thermal wall designs for heating/cooling efficiency.

• Kachru, U. (2005):
  “Radiant Barriers in Envelope Conditioning Systems” in ASHRAE Transactions, 111(1)
  → Explores reflective materials to enhance envelope performance.

• Kachru, U., Kreider, J. F., & Curtiss, P. S. (2000):
  “Experimental Validation of Envelope Conditioning for Residential Buildings” in Proceedings of the ASME Solar Energy Conference
  → Co-authored experimental validation with renowned building science experts.

3. Patents

Kachru filed patents related to his concepts:

• US Patent 5,575,326 (1996): “Building Envelope Conditioning System”
  → Describes integrated wall/roof assemblies with fluid channels for thermal regulation.

• US Patent 5,992,513 (1999): “Method and Apparatus for Envelope Conditioning”
  → Focuses on control systems for optimizing heat exchange.

4. Citations in Secondary Literature

His work is cited in:

• Kreider, J. F. et al. (2002). Heating and Cooling of Buildings (2nd ed.). CRC Press
  → Discusses envelope conditioning as a passive design strategy.

• ASHRAE Handbooks (e.g., HVAC Applications, 2019)
  → Reference his thermal storage research.

• Academic papers on building-integrated thermal systems
  → Includes studies on hydronic walls and phase-change materials.

CONSULTANCY PROJECTS

Strategy, Business Planning & Modeling Studies 

1. Strategy to Develop Rural Markets for Empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions, All India Panchayat Parishad 
2. Scanning for Identification of Diversification Options for Inox Group of Industries
3. Strategy & Tactical Plans for the Carpet Industry, All India Carpet Manufacturer’s Association, Badohi
4. Short Term & Medium Term Strategies for Conservation of Petroleum Products, Core Group for Petroleum Conservation, New Delhi 
5. Manpower Development Study for the Cement Industry, for Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), through Hollind, Delhi
6. Shortterm Rehabilitation Programme for Maruti Udyog Ltd., Ministry of Industries, Government of India, New Delhi
7. Strategy and Development of Product Selection Criteria for Introduction of Passenger Vehicles in India, Maruti Udyog Ltd., Ministry of Industries, Government of India, New Delhi
8. Analysis of Operations at Vehicle factory at Jabalpur and Strategy for Development of  modern all – terrain Vehicles for Defence, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, New Delhi
9. Financial Analysis & Modeling for setting up Barge mounted Power plants in Gujarat, Inox Group of Industries
10. Financial Analysis & Modeling for setting up liquid fuel based Power plant in Uttar Pradesh, Inox Group of Industries
11. Financial Analysis & Modeling with feasibility report on setting up a Pig Iron Plant in Gujarat, Inox Group of Industries
12. Financial Analysis & Modeling for setting up SF6 plant, Inox Group of Industries 

Marketing Studies & TechnoEconomic Feasibility Reports

1. Feasibility Report for Setting up of Computer Education Centres for students from Economically Underprivleged Sections of Society, Learning Information Technology (LIT)
2. Project Report and Market Analysis for setting up Computer Training Institutions, Events & Relations
3. Project Feasibility Report on Village Satellite Theatres, All India Panchayat Information Technology Centre
4. Market study for demand of Pig Iron & Coking Coal in Gujarat and neighboring states, Inox Group of Industries
5. Route Analysis and Scope for Operations of Air Taxi Services in North India, Pradeshiya Industrial & Investment Corp. of  Uttar Pradesh (PICUP), Lucknow 
6. Demand and Applications for Flexible Graphite, National Research Development Corporation(NRDC), New Delhi
7. Identification of possible Application Areas & Market Demand for Graphitised Aluminum, NRDC, New Delhi
8. Market & Demand for Walking Excavators in India, Ernst Menz AG Widnau, Switzerland (through Holind Management Services)
9. Renewable Energy Programmes in India, Birla Engineering Services 
10. Technoeconomic Feasibility Report for Manufacture of  Microlight\ Ultralight Aircraft, PICUP, Lucknow
11. Technoeconomic Feasibility Study on Airtaxi Services, PICUP, Lucknow
12. Identification of Aircraft Type & Selection of Technology for Airtaxi suited to India, J.K. Organisation, Bombay
13. Demand & Technoeconomic feasibility for Manufacture of Self Propelled Cranes, Escorts Ltd., Faridabad
14. Technoeconomic Feasibility Report for Manufacture of ExcavatorLoaders, Escorts Ltd., Faridabad

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Independent Funded Projects in Intermediate Technology 

• “Design Tools for ‘Climate Controlled Buildings’ using Advanced Passive Cooling & Heating Techniques”, supported by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources.
• Energy Efficient Housing: This project of 135 Type III flats has been constructed at Nehru Nagar, New Delhi, sponsored by the Department of Science & Technology and Central Public Works Department. 
• Design of Modern Brewery: Taken up with the technical assistance of DRB & Associates, Michigan, USA, and financial assistance from Canadian Executive Service Organization, Canada, we developed designs for modern breweries. 
• BioGas Based Power Plants: Study sponsored by International Research Development Center, Canada and Common Cause for Energy & Petroleum Conservation, New Delhi, to design biogas based power plants in the 25100KVA range. Basic engineering designs were completed. 

Technology Studies

• Evaluation of Building and Facilities of Manav Breweries Pvt. Ltd. for settingup a modern 50,000HL brewery, Godfrey Phillips India, New Delhi
• Process Evaluation for Flexible Graphite: the National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, developed this process. The process was studied from the point of view of industrial production. 
• Evaluation of Technology for Grapiitised Aluminum: The technology and process was developed at the Regional Research Laboratory, Bhopal.

In addition I also evaluated the technologies given below:

Process For Manufacture of Ceramic Preforms, Technology for Ceramic Metal Matrix Composites & Squeeze Infiltration, Technology for Squeeze Casting of Aluminum for DSIR

Engineering 

• Determination of parameters of Demand, Bottlenecks for Growth, Identification of Sites and Estimation of Civil Engineering Costs for Establishment of Microhydel Turbines in Himachal Pradesh & Hill Districts of Uttar Pradesh, Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi

• Environmental Impact Assessment & Environmental Management Plan for Bhatti Mines, Delhi State Mineral Development Corporation Ltd., Delhi
• Design of Buildings & Infrastructure, and Development of Equipment List for Brewery Project to be setup in Russia
• Design of Type III Quarters for Energy Efficient Housing Project at Nehru Nagar, Central Public Works Department & DST, New Delhi