Thermal Performance Enhancement for Buildings Using Phase Change Materials (PCMs)

Said M. A. Ibrahim; Abdelrahman a. Shaheen

doi:10.65731/ama-2026-0013

.blurhash-client-img { display: none !important; }

Thermal Performance Enhancement for Buildings Using Phase Change Materials (PCMs)

Acta Mechanica et Automatica

Volume 20 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)

By: Said M. A. Ibrahim and Abdelrahman a. Shaheen

Open Access

|Jul 2026

Abstract

The residential sector in Egypt is one of the largest energy consumers, exacerbating the energy crisis due to reliance on fossil fuels and the growing gap between supply and demand. This study aims to enhance energy efficiency in the integration of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) into residential buildings for thermal energy storage. The impact of PCM was analyzed using Energy Plus, the simulation engine for Design Builder, focusing on five major Egyptian cities representing different climate conditions. The CondFD algorithm was applied to simulate heat transfer and assess Reinforced building components with PCMs to lower energy use while maintaining indoor thermal comfort. Initially, three potential PCM options are assessed for a baseline residential unit, with M91/Q23 featuring a melting point of 23°C and a thickness of 37 mm was determined to be the most effective configuration when applied to the exterior layers of the building envelope. This PCM is subsequently incorporated into a standard single-story, multi zone residential buildings for further analysis. The average energy savings per month of 17.55% is achieved in Assiut, 16.28% in South Sinai, 16% in Alexandria, 15.68% in Ismailia, and 14.8% in Aswan. It was found that the use of PCMs to improve energy efficiency in residential buildings depends on different types of PCMs and how to select the best type with the best thickness based on their physical properties.

References

Ji R, Zou Z, Chen M, Zheng Y, Qu S. Numerical assessing energy performance for building envelopes with phase change material. Int J Energy Res. 2019;43(12): 6222–6232. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/er.4293
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ismail A, Wang J, Salami BA, Oyedele LO, Otukogbe GK. Microencapsulated phase change materials for enhanced thermal energy storage performance in construction materials: A critical review. Constr Build Mater. 2023;401: 132877. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132877
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zeng C, Yuan Y, Haghighat F, Panchabikesan K, Joybari MM, Cao X, et al. Application of PCM-based thermal energy storage system in buildings: A state-of-the-art review on the mathematical modeling approaches and experimental investigations. J Therm Sci. 2022;31: 1821–1852. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-022-1628-6
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Osibodu SJ, Adeyinka AM, Mbelu OV. Phase change material integration in concrete for thermal energy storage: Techniques and applications in sustainable building. Sustain Energy Res. 2024;11: 45. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40807-024-00101-w
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Li G, Bi X, Feng G, Chi L, Zheng X, Liu X. Phase change material Chinese kang: Design and experimental performance study. Renew Energy. 2020;150: 821–830. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.01.004
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Guan Y, Wang T, Tang R, Hu W, Guo J, Yang H, et al. Numerical study on the heat release capacity of the active-passive phase change wall affected by ventilation velocity. Renew Energy. 2020;150: 1047–1056. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2019.11.026
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Johra H, Goupy M, Wittchen KB. Thermal storage capacity in the entire building stock of Denmark for energy flexibility strategies and building-to-grid services. ASHRAE J. 2024;61(1): 14–17.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Smith J, Brown L. Phase change materials integrated into the building envelope to improve energy efficiency: A review. Fut Cities Environ. 2022;8(1): 1–15. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5334/fce.258
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Habib MA, Rahman MM. Phase change materials for applications in building thermal energy storage: A review. Therm Eng. 2024;71(8): 649–663.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Han CH. Energy and feasibility analysis of applying bio-based phase change materials to buildings in East Asia. J Green Build. 2020;15(2): 157–181.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kazanci B, Cellat K, Paksoy H. Preparation, characterization, and thermal properties of novel fire-resistant microencapsulated phase change materials based on paraffin and a polystyrene shell. RSC Adv. 2020;10(41): 24134–24144. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA03531A
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sterlyagov S. Increasing the thermal inertia of building walls when using phase change materials. Therm Eng. 2023;70(2): 129–135.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Li D, Wu Y, Zhang G, Arıcı M, Liu C, Wang F. Influence of glazed roof containing phase change material on indoor thermal environment and energy consumption. Appl Energy. 2018;222: 343–350. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.04.015
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Guarino F, Athienitis A, Cellura M, Bastien D. PCM thermal storage design in buildings: Experimental studies and applications to solaria in cold climates. Appl Energy. 2017;185: 95–106. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.10.046
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Castell A, Martorell I, Medrano M, Pérez G, Cabeza LF. Experimental study of using PCM in brick constructive solutions for passive cooling. Energy Build. 2010;42(4): 534–540. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2009.10.022
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sun X, Medina MA, Lee KO, Jin X. Laboratory assessment of residential building walls containing pipe-encapsulated phase change materials for thermal management. Energy. 2018;163: 383–391. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.08.159
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ismail KAR, Castro JNC. PCM thermal insulation in buildings. Int J Energy Res. 1997;21(14): 1281–1296. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/er.322
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Woods J, Merket N, Benne K, Swindler A, Horowitz S, Macumber D, et al. EnergyPlus™ v.23.2.0 [SWR-17-23]. OS-TI.GOV; 2023.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Sovetova M, Memon SA, Kim J. Thermal performance and energy efficiency of building integrated with PCMs in hot desert climate region. Sol Energy. 2019;189: 357–371. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.07.067
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Alam M, Sanjayan J, Wilson J. Energy saving potential of phase change materials in major Australian cities. Energy Build. 2016;121: 23–32. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2016.03.050
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lei J, Yang J, Yang EH. Energy performance of building envelopes integrated with phase change materials for cooling load reduction in tropical Singapore. Appl Energy. 2016;162: 207–217. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.10.031
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jin X, Medina MA, Zhang X. Numerical analysis for the optimal location of a thin PCM layer in frame walls. Appl Therm Eng. 2016;103: 1057–1063. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.04.056
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Baniassadi A, Sajadi B, Amidpour M, Noori N. Economic optimization of PCM and insulation layer thickness in residential buildings. Sustain Energy Technol Assess. 2016;14: 92–99. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2016.01.008
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Markarian E, Fazelpour F. Multi-objective optimization of energy performance of a building considering different configurations and types of PCM. Sol Energy. 2019;191: 481–496. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.09.003
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Thiele AM, Jamet A, Sant G, Pilon L. Annual energy analysis of concrete containing phase change materials for building envelopes. Energy Convers Manage. 2015;103: 374–386. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2015.06.068
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Auzeby M, Wei S, Underwood C, Chen C, Ling H, Pan S, et al. Using phase change materials to reduce overheating issues in UK residential buildings. Energy Procedia. 2017;105: 4072–4077. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.861
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Omari KE, Guer YL, Bruel P. Analysis of micro-dispersed PCM-composite boards behavior in a building’s wall for different seasons. J Build Eng. 2016;7: 361–371. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2016.07.011
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cui H, Memon SA, Liu R. Development, mechanical properties and numerical simulation of macro encapsulated thermal energy storage concrete. Energy Build. 2015;96: 162–174. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.03.014
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jin X, Shi D, Medina MA, Shi X, Zhou X, Zhang X. Optimal location of PCM layer in building walls under Nanjing (China) weather conditions. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2017;129(3): 1767–1778. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-017-6302-6
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Khan M, Khan MM, Irfan M, Ahmad N, Haq MA, Khan I, et al. Energy performance enhancement of residential buildings in Pakistan by integrating phase change materials in building envelopes. Energy Reports. 2022;8: 14414–14427. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.07.047
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.65731/ama-2026-0013 | Journal eISSN: 2300-5319 | Journal ISSN: 1898-4088

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 121 - 137

Submitted on: Jun 22, 2025

Accepted on: Dec 29, 2025

Published on: Jul 16, 2026

Published by: Bialystok University of Technology

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

phase change material,

energy saving,

building envelope,

energy performance,

residential building,

thermal energy storage

Related subjects:

Engineering,

Mechanical engineering,

Mechanics,

Engineering,

Bioengineering and biomedical engineering,

Biomechanics,

Engineering,

Civil engineering,

Environmental engineering

© 2026 Said M. A. Ibrahim, Abdelrahman a. Shaheen, published by Bialystok University of Technology
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 20 (2026): Issue 1 (March 2026)