Phase change materials (PCMs) application in building envelop (a review)

Abstract

Global contribution of energy consumption of building sector, both residential and commercial, is very high and steadily increased. In buildings, chief energy consumer is heating ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) system used for thermal comfort and maintaining indoor air quality. Building envelope plays vital role in regulating indoor thermal comfort conditions as it is interface between indoor and outdoor environment. The key component of building envelop are walls, roof, floor and fenestrations. Energy consumption of HVAC system can be reduced up to desired limit by using different methods in construction of building envelop. One of these innovative methods is use of phase change materials (PCM). PCM are considered as a possible solution for controlling energy demand of buildings. PCM's are substances that can absorb and release thermal energy by changing their phase from solid to liquid at room temperature and stabilize thermal comfort inside the building with reduced carbon dioxide emissions. In this paper recent developments in the field of PCMs, their application in building envelop, incorporation and their influence on energy reduction are reviewed.