Impact of Positioning Phase Change Materials on Thermal Performance of Buildings in Cold Climates

Abstract

The building envelope, an essential component of any building, plays a critical role in meeting energy efficiency and thermal comfort requirements. Incorporating phase change materials (PCM) into the building envelope can offer an opportunity to minimize energy usage and enhance thermal comfort by offsetting daily temperature fluctuations. However, the optimal performance of PCM is contingent on the material's placement and thickness within the building envelope. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of positioning and thickness of PCM on thermal comfort and heating loads in a lightweight timber building in Trondheim, Norway. Four scenarios were considered based on the positioning of the PCM layer in the exterior wall and roof. Using IDA ICE, parametric simulations were conducted for various PCM wallboard positions and thicknesses in the exterior wall and roof. In Nordic climates, adding PCM reduces the risk of annual overheating. The findings of this study showed that installing 75mm of PCM wallboard in the exterior wall's inner layer reduced the annual heating load by 2.3%. Compared to the base case scenario, increasing PCM thickness reduced zonal maximum indoor air temperatures by up to 6.2°C. This study underscored the importance of carefully considering the placement and thickness of PCM in building envelopes for optimal performance.