Abstract
Moisture transfer in building envelopes can affect the internal surface temperature of the envelopes and the air-conditioning energy consumption. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of moisture transfer on thermal performance of exterior walls. In this study, a coupled heat and moisture transfer model was proposed. With the measured continuous outdoor climate parameters for four hot and humid regions including Haikou, Qionghai, Xiamen, and Guangdong, this model assessed the impact of moisture transfer on the inner surface temperature, the peak cooling loads, and the heat from walls. The results showed that the fluctuation range of the internal surface temperature decreased when moisture transfer is considered. The peak cooling loads were overestimated when moisture transfer is ignored. Besides, the total heat from walls was underestimated by around 4% in the cooling seasons. This study could provide basis for future studies on moisture transfer characteristics in coastal and island areas.
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