Abstract
Improving the energy efficiency of new and existing building stock while fostering the use of renewable energy is one of the major goals of the Renovation Wave initiative promoted by the European Union. In this framework, the present research focuses on the design of an innovative and efficient construction solution for an external envelope and internal partitions that can improve energy efficiency and thermal comfort in lightweight construction technology for buildings. The use of phase change materials (PCMs), particularly in the macroencapsulated form, in building construction solutions or components enhances the buildings’ thermal mass without significantly increasing the solutions’ weight. Therefore, the solution herein developed is essentially targeted at lightweight building technology since the incorporation of a macroencapsulated PCM core will allow to store and release large amounts of energy per volume unit, in order to attenuate high indoor temperature fluctuations. In the scope of this study, the use of a thermally active core in a lightweight construction solution was designed and thermally characterized. Thus, an experimental campaign on the thermal properties of the solution containing macroencapsulated PCMs was performed, intended for applications in two twin full-scale cold-formed steel lightweight tiny houses. Regarding the hot box heat flux meter approach, the results revealed the following: good correlation between thermal conductivity and mean specimen temperatures for both construction assemblies tested, and significant thermal amplitude reduction with the use solution containing the macroencapsulated PCM core.
Highlights
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralThe European Union policy framework for energy and environmental strategy focuses on the ambitious goal of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by improving buildings’ energy efficiency, from new to existing building stock, assuring comfortable and healthier indoor environment conditions for the users [1,2]
In [4], it was concluded that the phase change materials (PCMs) charging and discharging process is more effective when the PCM is positioned closest to the innermost layer of the construction solution
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Summary
The European Union policy framework for energy and environmental strategy focuses on the ambitious goal of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by improving buildings’ energy efficiency, from new to existing building stock, assuring comfortable and healthier indoor environment conditions for the users [1,2]. Sun et al [24] investigated the thermal performance of a room by simulating four different inorganic composite PCMs, which were simultaneously located into the wall air cavities and combined with a double-layer of PCM into a radiant floor system These combined PCM-containing solutions, leading to a reduction of 21.2% in the annual energy consumption. The authors highlighted that the complete charge–discharge cycle of the PCM on a daily basis is only possible considering an effective compromise with the PCM melting temperature and ventilation rate selection These studies have paved the way to confirm that the use of PCMs as a second skin of the insulation layer substantially improves the building’s thermal performance. The developed PCM enhanced solution is adequate for use at the inner surface of existing buildings in retrofit scenarios, targeting the reduction in internal overheating whilst promoting indoor passive thermal regulation, especially in warm climate conditions
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