Numerical analysis of thin building envelope-integrated phase change material towards energy-efficient buildings in severe hot location

Phase change materials (PCMs) have a great potential to enhance building thermal comfort and save energy towards energy-efficient buildings. The current study sheds light on employing PCM passively in a thin building envelope under a severely hot location using EnergyPlus software. The thermal contribution of PCM to indoor thermal comfort was evaluated considering the average temperature fluctuation reduction (ATFR), thermal load levelling reduction (TLLR) and operative temperature reduction (OTR). Besides, the total average heat gain reduction (AHGR) and equivalent CO2 emission and electricity cost saving (ECS) were discussed to quantify the energy-saving. Simulation results demonstrated PCM effectiveness during the hottest summer days. Quantitatively, the PCM contributed to the ATFR by 5 °C- 6 °C, along with TLLR and OTR by an average of 38%-59% and 6 °C, respectively. According to the energy-saving analysis, the daily total AHGR owing to PCM integration ranged between 66.6% and 76.5%, where the roof shared the most. The results also indicated environmental and economic benefits, attaining CO2 emission reduction by 2 kg/day and ECS by up to 250 IQD/day. Conclusively, the PCM can significantly improve building performance when integrated passively with thin envelope elements in severely hot locations.