Phase change material in architecture : exploring its aesthetics, energy conservation and potential use, in Malta

Abstract

Today about 40% of national energy is consumed in buildings, a third of which goes only for heating and cooling the interior space. The aim of this dissertation is, to review the actual potential of PCM as an integrated storage system into the architectural fabric. Reviewing the potential of such materials to conserve energy by 30-35%. As is, the claimed benefit from various experimental research and companies selling such PCM-products. With the greatest benefits claimed to be, in a reduction from the cooling energy consumption in summer, especially in lightweight buildings. As PCM acts as a form of hidden thermal mass which enhances the thermal comfort of the building interior. This dissertation aims, to give a review of the existing passive PCM applications in architecture, already available on the market. Analysing their aesthetics, technical aspects and energy conservation potential. It also reviews the potential of possible active applications of PCM in architecture. This dissertation focused on testing a PCM-specimen passively, under average local day and night summer temperatures. Observing, by how much the PCM-specimen, was able to absorb the internal heat gains, to keep the interior within the comfort zone. Results from the experiment carried out on a PCM-specimen suggests that, such a material with a higher solidification point might perform more efficiently in absorbing internal heat gains in a Mediterranean climate, with relatively high summer day and night temperatures. This dissertation also derives the optimum areas inside a building where a PCM element is ideally applied, to maximise energy efficiency in heating and cooling for the PCM area covered.