Evaluating the Use of Phase-Change Materials in Passive Cooling Structures

Abstract

The present investigation gauges how Phase-Change Materials PCM influence the passive cooling abilities of contemporary building envelopes. By soaking up and later giving off latent heat during their phase shifts, these substances aim to smooth out occupants thermal experience. A thorough literature review covering the years 2000 through 2021 serves as the core methodological approach, cataloguing different ways PCMs have been embedded within walls, ceilings, and floors and the thermal benefits each configuration delivers. Compiled data show that, when properly chosen and placed, PCMs can slash the amplitude of indoor temperature swings and trim peak electrical demand, thereby enhancing whole-system energy performance. Success with the technology hinges on prudent choices regarding the PCM itself, the encapsulation strategy adopted, and the local climate profile. Overall, the study reinforces the promise of PCMs as an environmentally friendly means of curtailing the cooling power budget of buildings.