Energy modeling of buildings integrating reflecting surfaces and phase change materials

Identifier:  TFM:242

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM242

Authors:  Campoy Díaz, David

Abstract:
This project has studied the behavior and impact of placing reflective surfaces on the roof of a detached single family house in Lleida to reduce its energy demand. The integration of phase change material (PCM) has been studied in order to try to reduce the energy consumption. A building model has been done with different configurations of roof. Different materials have been studied in order to compare the energy savings of their implementation. The implantation of the reflective material is counterproductive because the energy saving in summer is lower than the increase of the energy consumption in winter. The integration of the PCM in the roof decreases the global energy consumption of the house. It decreases more by the combination of the PCM and an insulating material. In this case we have used extruded polystyrene (XPS). The optimum thickness of insulation has been determined by the economic cost and the environmental impact. Finally, the viability of PCM implementation in the model has been determined by a cost sensitivity study.