Performance Driven Integration of Phase Change Materials in Indian Building Envelopes: A Climate-Sensitive Design Framework

The research investigates building envelope performance assessment through climate-specific Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in tropical India. The research uses real-world data from eight actual deployments across five different climatic zones which extend beyond traditional simulation-based methods. The research evaluates PCMs through their different types and envelope integration methods and performance indicators which include Peak Indoor Temperature Reduction (PITR) and Cooling Load Reduction (CLR) and Thermal Lag (TL) and Comfort Hours Gained (CHG). The research demonstrates climate-specific advantages through its findings which show bio-PCMs and eutectics work well in composite and moderate climates yet paraffin-based PCMs achieve maximum PITR in hot-dry zones. The integration method between roof and wall and ceiling and hybrid systems determines thermal performance results with hybrid systems delivering the most consistent improvements. The research provides additional design trade-off information through a radar plot and material-property correlation analysis. The research provides strategic guidelines to enhance PCM implementation for passive thermal management in tropical buildings that aim to reduce energy consumption.