Potential of integrating PCMs in residential building envelope to reduce cooling energy consumption

Abstract

Increasing energy consumption during summer periods is becoming an increasing problem worldwide, particularly in Iraq. Air-conditioning applications account for approximately half of the energy used in residential buildings. Thus, this study mainly aims to investigate the potential of using phase change material (PCM) numerically to reduce cooling energy consumption in residential buildings. Ansys Fluent software was used to study the heat transfer in the proposed geometrical model. Thermal performance, such as wall surface temperature, has been investigated. Different types of PCMs were examined to test their suitability for a selected weather data. Results show that the PCM with higher melting temperature was more efficient for locations with hot weather, such as the cities of Basra and Baghdad. The incorporation of PCM in the exterior layer of the external wall could reduce the peak interior wall surface temperature in summer and this will reduce the heat gain. As a result, the cooling energy consumption used to cool the building is reduced. The numerical results were validated with the experimental and numerical data available in the literature.