Investigating the Effect of Phase Change Materials on Energy Consumption of Residential Buildings in Cold Climate

The external wall of the building has always been discussed and investigated as one of the effective parameters for heat exchange and energy consumption.This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the energy consumption and the effect of phase change materials as insulation on the thermal behavior of the external walls of a residential building and determining the optimal melting temperature in the cold climate of Tabriz.To this end, three different melting temperatures of 18, 24 and 28 C were selected.The research method employed was quantitative with a positivist approach.A five-story residential building in Tabriz was selected because of its availability.Analyzes and simulations were conducted with Grasshopper, Honeybee and Ladybug plugins.The results of the research showed that melting temperatures of 24 and 28 degrees in hot months reduced energy consumption by 31.93 and 20.48%, respectively.The reduction in energy consumption in cold months for melting temperatures of 24 and 28 degrees respectively was equal to 36.08 and 15%.The biggest reduction in energy consumption in all months of the year was related to the southern front.Thus, at a melting temperature of 18C this decrease was 61.65% and 61.80% in hot and cold months respectively, at a temperature of 24C it was 65.83% and 74.5% and at a temperature of 28 C it was 62.53% and 61.94% compared to the base state.Therefore, considering the cold climate of Tabriz, the use of PCM with a melting temperature of 24C is appropriate and economically viable.