Thermal performance improvement of lightweight buildings integrated with phase change material: An experimental and simulation study

Phase change material applied in lightweight buildings makes it possible to improve thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption, and compensate the disadvantage of low thermal inertia. The field tests for the composite envelope lightweight building integrated with composite phase change material layer were carried out. The performance is compared with the buildings with ordinary structure under summer, winter, and transition climate. According to the climatic conditions of Chengdu city, the phase change material has the effect of heat attenuation and temperature delay by improving the indoor stability of the lightweight building. The lightweight building integrated with phase change material layer could significantly reduce the surface temperature of inside wall and the indoor air temperature during the hot season and transition season. A simulation model for heating and cooling load of the lightweight building was set up to assess the energy saving for phase change material application. The annual load of model building with phase change material composite exterior wall is 23.85% less than that of ordinary model building.