Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Camilo Giraldo
Project Type
Honors Program project
Scholarship Domain(s)
Scholarship of Discovery
Presentation Type
Presentation
Abstract
Current research on living and working spaces continues to strive to identify the most energy-efficient methods for heating and cooling, and many novel technologies have emerged from the research. One of the most promising, and the topic of this quantitative analysis, is the retrofitting of phase change materials (PCMs) into the walls of structures. Research has shown positive results, such as a reduced transfer of heat through walls when PCMs are retrofitted into wall construction. However, more analysis regarding PCMs’ energy-saving capabilities is needed to convince the general population that despite the initial cost for retrofitting PCMs into walls, they can reduce the energy load required from buildings, thus reducing energy cost in the long term. This quantitative analysis provides additional metrics and graphs, such as standard deviations and heat maps, to better illustrate the energy-saving protentional of retrofitting buildings with PCMs. Furthermore, analyses are still being conducted to identify which wall (north, south, east, or west), is contributing the most towards energy savings. The results of the current analysis will better convince consumers of the benefits of retrofitting PCMs into buildings, since they will be able to install PCMs in the walls that benefits them the most. The metrics used and developed in this study will strengthen the case for PCMs in buildings and could be used to test previous positive experimental results.
Permission Type
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
Assessment of Walls with Phase Change Materials through Synergistic and Performance Measures using Experimental and Simulated Test Houses
Reed 330
Current research on living and working spaces continues to strive to identify the most energy-efficient methods for heating and cooling, and many novel technologies have emerged from the research. One of the most promising, and the topic of this quantitative analysis, is the retrofitting of phase change materials (PCMs) into the walls of structures. Research has shown positive results, such as a reduced transfer of heat through walls when PCMs are retrofitted into wall construction. However, more analysis regarding PCMs’ energy-saving capabilities is needed to convince the general population that despite the initial cost for retrofitting PCMs into walls, they can reduce the energy load required from buildings, thus reducing energy cost in the long term. This quantitative analysis provides additional metrics and graphs, such as standard deviations and heat maps, to better illustrate the energy-saving protentional of retrofitting buildings with PCMs. Furthermore, analyses are still being conducted to identify which wall (north, south, east, or west), is contributing the most towards energy savings. The results of the current analysis will better convince consumers of the benefits of retrofitting PCMs into buildings, since they will be able to install PCMs in the walls that benefits them the most. The metrics used and developed in this study will strengthen the case for PCMs in buildings and could be used to test previous positive experimental results.