Numerical and experimental investigation of innovative thermoelectric heat pump wall systems for enhancing building energy efficiency

Improving building energy efficiency is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thermoelectric Heat Pump Wall Systems (THPWS) offer a promising alternative to conventional HVAC technologies by enabling compact, refrigerant-free thermal management. This study investigates the performance of an integrated THPWS through combined numerical simulations and experimental validation. The system features a dual-channel design with five evenly spaced thermoelectric (TE) modules per channel, aluminum heat sinks, and inlet fans to drive airflow. The governing Navier-Stokes, turbulence, and energy equations are solved using a finite volume approach, and thermoelectric behavior is modeled based on module characteristics. The model is validated against experimental data, with strong agreement observed (maximum deviation: 7.4%; average: 3.6%). The impact of electrical current, inlet air velocity, and ambient temperature on system performance is assessed, including flow fields, heating output, and coefficient of performance (COP). Results indicate that increasing inlet velocity from 0.5 to 0.9 m/s leads to a heating load reduction of 61.5%, 44.7%, and 40.3% at 0.1, 1.0, and 4.0 A, respectively. Additionally, temperature drops of up to 29.3 °C in the hot channel are achieved via enhanced convective cooling. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and potential of THPWS for energy-efficient building heating applications.