Switchable Phase Change Material Systems for Building Envelopes

Background

The integration of thermal storage materials into a building envelope assembly can enhance energy performance of buildings. The integration of phase change materials (PCM)s into budlings envelope systems can reduce energy use and peak demand as well as improve thermal comfort since indoor temperature fluctuations can be reduced. The use of static PCM layer coupled with static insulation inside building envelope systems can prevent the exchange of the stored energy between indoors and outdoors and thus may limit the energy efficiency potential of these passive energy storage systems.

Technology

Researchers at the University of Colorado have developed switchable PCM systems that allow building envelope assemblies to store energy from one side and release to the other side in order to reduce thermal loads and peak demands for both space heating and cooling. Moreover, the switchable PCM systems can be coupled with thermal insulation to ensure heat does not transfer readily through the building envelope and thus increase thermal heating and cooling loads for the building.

Advantages

• Up to 50% reduce heating and cooling cost
• Up to 50% reduced heating and cooling energy use

Future Applications

• Walls
• Roofs
• Floors
• Other building envelopes

What's Next?

Available for licensing