Incorporation of phase change materials into building envelope for thermal comfort and energy saving: A comprehensive analysis

Building envelope is a key element in providing adequate energy and thermal comfort performance to buildings. In this regard, improvement solutions are implemented in recent studies that focus on new techniques and methods. The main techniques adopted in this context are discussed to identify modern and effective methods with a particular focus on phase change materials (PCMs). Incorporating PCMs with building construction materials is a booming technology, owing to their enhancement potential of storing and releasing heat during phase transition. This work highlights the importance of PCMs in building envelope, focusing on roof and external wall applications. PCM types, general and desired properties and application area are presented and discussed. Influential parameters, incorporation techniques and methods, main numerical tools, and modelling equations are used to describe the thermal behaviour of PCM. A comprehensive assessment on the basis of recent studies has been conducted to point out the potential of PCM with the most appropriate techniques under different locations. The main findings of PCM thermal performance have been described, considering the cooling/heating load reduction, energy-saving and thermal comfort gained along with several research hiatuses for future studies.

Automated summary

Recent studies have focused on improvement solutions for building envelopes, particularly new techniques such as phase change materials (PCMs). This work emphasizes the importance and application of PCMs in building envelopes, discussing their thermal behavior through various methods and assessing their potential for reducing cooling/heating loads, energy savings, and enhancing thermal comfort.