Applicability of phase change material according to climate zones as defined in ASHRAE standard 169-2013

Abstract

The improvement of the heating load reduction effect through indoor temperature stabilization and the possibility of applying phase change materials (PCMs) in various climates were examined. The indoor temperature and heat flow of each wall are measured in three identical test huts using a shape-stabilized phase-change material sheet made of a paraffin-based PCM. The results obtained are compared with calculated results using a PCM model fabricated basing a specific heat to verify the accuracy. The annual heating load reduction is confirmed by conducting simulations of 429 cases in various conditions of PCM capacity, building shape, and installation area for representative cities in each climate zone of ASHRAE standard 169–2013. In addition with this result, the relationship among the PCM installation method, building form, and climate factors are analyzed to obtain a correlation equation for annual heating load reduction. Comparing the simulation results and correlation equation results of the annual heating load reduction rate, it is confirmed that the error of the two results is below 2.7%, and the coefficient of determination is above 0.8. This correlation equation can be a measure of the approximate heating load reduction effect due to the PCM installation and the performance of indoor application methods without complex simulations early in the design or before the construction of the PCM.