Experimental study of PCM-enhanced building envelope towards energy-saving and decarbonisation in a severe hot climate

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs)-enhanced building envelope has received much attention in recent years as an effective solution to enhance building thermal performance. Nevertheless, minimal experimental studies considering PCM influential aspects in full envelope arrangement are found in the literature against many numerical studies. This paper aims to quantify the indoor temperature improvement and energy-saving when PCM is passively-incorporated into a building envelope under non-ventilated conditions. The average indoor temperature reduction (AITR), thermal load levelling reduction (TLLR), average heat gain reduction (AHGR) and associated CO2 emissions saving (CO2 ES) and energy cost saving (ECS) are presented and discussed for two test rooms, with/without PCM, constructed and examined in extremely hot summer days. The outcomes exhibited PCM effectiveness to stabilise the indoor temperature, showing an AITR of 2 °C during the day and a maximum TLLR of 8.71 %. Besides, AHGR by up to 56 W, CO2 ES by 1.35 kg/day and ECS of 80.64 Iraqi dinar (IQD)/day are attained. The study concluded that the PCM is more effective in the roof than walls, and the PCM amount should vary in walls considering their orientation and peak outdoor conditions.