A methodology for investigating the effectiveness of PCM wallboards for summer thermal comfort in buildings

The present paper describes a methodology for the comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness ofPhase Change Materials (PCMs) for the improvement of summer thermal comfort in lightweightbuildings.To this aim, a series of indicators is firstly introduced, that allow a precise description of both the PCMbehaviour (frequency of melting, storage efficiency) and the intensity and duration of the thermalcomfort perceived by the occupants. Then a case study is proposed, based on simulations, that consists inthe application of newly developed wallboards, containing organic PCMs, on the partition walls ofa lightweight office building.The approach presented in the study can be useful for assisting the detection of the most appropriatePCM and its installation pattern as a function of the climatic operating conditions and of the comfortrequirements.