Computational assessment of a full-scale Mediterranean building incorporating wallboards with phase change materials

Abstract

In this study, a lightweight residential building in Greece was investigated, focusing on the summer comfort when wallboards with phase change materials (PCM) were installed in the external and internal walls. The effectiveness of the PCM wallboards installed was numerically assessed, while the energy performance of the building was examined, in order to quantify the effect of PCM in the annual cooling load needs, as a way of saving energy. Potential bigger energy savings were evaluated by defining the appropriate PCM melting temperature range and the ‘energy-conscious’ occupant behaviour (passive vs. active). Results were expressed in terms of percentage savings of cooling loads and with comparison to wall elements incorporated with plain gypsumboards instead of the PCM wallboards. The optimum phase change temperature change for the specific location was investigated by examining two-phase change transition temperatures of the PCM wallboards (PCM24 and PCM26 respectively). The use of PCM24 produced a 29% reduction of annual cooling loads, compared to 16% reduction produced by PCM26. Five scenarios were also examined, showing the behaviour of the PCM which was enhanced when a cooling system was installed. The cooling needs were lowered by an average of 25.7%, compared to the respective no-PCM scenarios.