Computational analysis of the influence of PCMs on building performance in summer

The insulation of buildings in summer requires to exploit the heat capacity of materials in order to delay the heat transfer through the building structure. Phase change materials (PCM) installed in buildings can reduce the indoor temperature; however, given their high cost, their use must be evaluated carefully. This paper investigates the structures that can be coupled with PCM efficaciously, and it highlights some problems that could be caused by PCMs. The investigation has been performed numerically by means of the Energy-Plus software.