Improving thermal comfort in building and reducing the indoor air temperature fluctuation in Cyprus by utilizing the phase change materials

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the effect of phase change materials (PCMs) on improving building thermal comfort and reducing indoor air temperature fluctuations in Cyprus. Utilizing the phase change materials in building leads to increase residence satisfactory and energy saving. The investigation has been carried out in terms of types, encapsulation, incorporation into building fabrics, and simulation software. In current study, specific PCM which is called RT 31 is employed together with construction materials for the thermal simulation in a typical building in Cyprus. The description of the current state in Cyprus has been achieved in terms of, common building materials, low energy building researches and construction statistics. A typical building is found based on the number and the total floor area of constructed building in 2009. The thermal simulation has been accomplished by Energy Plus software for the summer months, July to October. It is found that the mean indoor air temperature is reduced by 1.8% and the peaks of temperature fluctuation curve are become smooth. The graphs of temperature – days for each months are drawn separately. Finally, the hourly indoor air temperature graphs for 14th, 15th, and 16th of each month are plotted. Keywords: Phase change materials, thermal simulation, building construction in Cyprus, thermal comfort. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………