Abstract
High-rise apartments are a prominent type of residential buildings in Canadian cities. However, poor aging performance of existing apartments has led to high discomfort and energy consumption that must be addressed. Thermal energy storage is a potential energy retrofit measure that affects energy consumption by regulating radiant temperatures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of latent thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs) integrated into walls and ceilings of apartment units. A composite PCM system comprised of two different PCM products with melting points of 21.7 oC and 25 oC is proposed and evaluated to provide a year-around thermal energy storage. A simulation analysis using Energy Plus is performed to investigate the impacts of the composite PCM system on indoor temperatures and energy use. An experimental study is conducted using two small scale test cells to monitor the performance of the PCM system in detail.
Highlights
High-rise residential buildingsEvolution of multi-unit apartment buildings in Canada started after 1960’s as a result of post-war growth and continues to develop today
It is evident that the composite phase change materials (PCMs) system is more effective in extreme situations as the highest percentage of change is observed in the highest and lowest peak temperatures recorded
The results clearly point to a high influence of solar gain in apartment units on PCM activation patterns and how the PCMs, in turn, affect indoor thermal environment and energy use
Summary
High-rise residential buildingsEvolution of multi-unit apartment buildings in Canada started after 1960’s as a result of post-war growth and continues to develop today. Easy access to amenities and public areas are some factors for which these buildings remain a popular form of housing today (RDH, 2012). Years after their construction, aging high-rise apartments face crucial problems. The majority of high-rise apartments were constructed in an era of cheap energy prices, energy efficient construction was not an important criterion as it is today All these factors with time degrade the quality of life in high-rise apartments which has caused large rates of complaints and cost issues for building owners (Alsaadani et al, 2016). Decreased indoor air quality and thermal comfort are the two major problems occupants experience in these buildings today (RDH, 2012)
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