Enhancing passive solar heating in zero energy buildings using PCMs: Economic investigation of a Hotel in Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Nowadays, due to lack of energy resources, rising prices of energy carriers the need to optimize energy consumption, therefore moving towards the green buildings is felt more. Energy consumption in Iran is 2.5 times the global average. According to the energy balance sheet in Iran, about 41% of energy consumption in this country is related to the construction sector, due to non-compliance with construction principles and also not using appropriate and optimal materials. One of the suitable solutions for optimal energy building construction is the use of phase change materials (PCM) as a new insulation coating on the outer walls of the building. These materials can be used as a source of heat energy storage due to their high latent heat property. In this study, by simulating a hotel in Mashhad, using Design Builder software, the effect of using phase change materials as a source of inactivated solar heating in the building is investigated. Obviously, the use of these materials requires initial costs and investments, which varies depending on the type, amount and properties of the selected materials. Eventually, economic indicators are extracted by analyzing the costs and benefits of saving energy for the selected building. It was found that the use of these materials in large buildings such as hotels would have relatively high initial cost, but since at best it reduces energy consumption by about 6%, this cost will be compensated in the long run.