EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF GLAZED ROOF WITH PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS AS AN APPLICATION OF ENERGY CONSERVATION IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

Abstract

The majority of electric energy that supplied to a residential house is consumed by air-conditioning during both summer and winter. Thus it has a major impact on the greenhouse gases and climate. Thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials (PCMs) in building elements has become a reliable solution for energy saving. The present study assists for the ‎utilization of PCMs in the roof of residential buildings to absorb the heat comes from solar ‎radiation during the daytime and releasing it to the inside nightly. The building considerations ‎as well as thermo-physical properties of PCMs have been taken and measured experimentally. ‎Results have shown that these materials have a good potential for reducing energy demand ‎and satisfy comfortable thermal conditions. The experimental data ‎show that the indoor temperature increases by 4-7 oC in the winter compared to that ‎measured in a traditional one. Furthermore, a simulation program depended on degree-days ‎method explained that the energy consumption could be saved up to 70%. Thus PCMs could ‎submit encouraging suggestions toward the sustainability.‎