Synergistic and Sustainable Heating Strategies through a Comprehensive Analysis of Trombe Walls and Phase Change Materials in a Building

This major paper investigates the effectiveness of PCM-integrated Trombe walls, an innovative building technology, in reducing heating load, improving occupant thermal comfort, and decreasing dependency on traditional heating systems. Detailed simulations were conducted on a three-story residential building model using DesignBuilder software, which integrates both passive and active heating strategies. The study focuses on PCM-integrated Trombe walls, a system that combines PCMs with traditional Trombe walls to regulate indoor temperatures. The analysis was carried out for two distinct locations: Las Vegas, Nevada, representing a mild desert climate, and Detroit, Michigan, representing a cold continental climate. The simulations covered the entire winter period, with a specific focus on the winter design week. Key findings indicate that PCM-integrated Trombe walls significantly reduce the heating load and improve indoor thermal comfort by maintaining more stable indoor temperatures compared to traditional Trombe walls. The integration of PCMs enhances the wall’s ability to store and release thermal energy, leading to substantial energy savings. In Las Vegas, the PCM-integrated Trombe wall reduced the heating load by approximately 20%, resulting in an energy savings of 15 kWh per week during the winter design week. In Detroit, the reduction was around 30%, with energy savings reaching up to 25 kWh per week. These results highlight the technology's effectiveness in both mild and severe winter conditions. Temperature control improvements were notable, with indoor temperature fluctuations reduced by 35% in Las Vegas and 40% in Detroit. The PCM-integrated Trombe walls maintained indoor temperatures within the comfortable range of 20-24°C for an additional 5 hours per day on average compared to standard Trombe walls. Comparative analysis between different configurations of the building revealed that the PCM-integrated Trombe walls performed consistently across all floors, with the living/dining room area, where the Trombe wall is installed, experiencing the most significant improvements in thermal comfort. Specifically, this area saw a reduction in heating load by 22% in Las Vegas and 32% in Detroit. The study demonstrates the potential of PCM-integrated Trombe walls as a sustainable heating strategy, providing a viable solution for enhancing energy efficiency and occupant comfort in residential buildings.