Phase Change Materials Integrated Into the Building Envelope to Improve Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort

Abstract

The approach of space cooling to achieve indoor thermal comfort is one of the main energy-consuming aspects of buildings. To reduce the amount of energy used in buildings ultimately, it is essential to design building envelopes that are energy-efficient. The primary strategies used in this research are analysed in order to determine innovative and successful approaches, with an emphasis on phase change materials (PCMs), for improving the building envelope performance. The technique of incorporating PCMs into building envelope is becoming more prevalent because of its enhanced energy capacity to store and release heat during phase conversion, which is one of the sustainable methods used for regulating space temperature. The application of PCM as a construction material for thermal energy storage is the main focus of this study, it emphasises the Phase Change Materials main concept. The most common PCM types for usage in building envelopes, together with their material composition and diverse qualities. This research also illustrate the different techniques for incorporating PCM into building envelope components. As a case study, an energy consumption analysis is conducted on a building located in Alexandria, Egypt. Subsequently it is suggested to integrate PCM in the construction materials, the impact of this suggestion is then simulated using Design Builder software. Using this software the current state of the building had been simulated and its condition after modifications using the PCMs had been simulated, and the results demonstrate a significant improvement in the thermal performance of the building.

Keywords

• thermal comfort
• pcms
• building envelope
• energy efficiency
• building thermal performance
• latent heat