Analysis of the effects of simultaneous using of PCM and Insulation in energy storage in a residential building in climate region Cold-dry of Iran

Due to the population growth worldwide and shortage of non-renewable resources, today, energy consumption management, and using renewable energy sources is inevitable. One of the enormous sources that are considered as renewable energy sources is solar energy, in recent years, many advanced technologies are used for the conservation and storage of solar energy in all industries, especially in the buildings sector. Incorporation of phase change materials and insulation in the building envelop is one of the novel's strategies to reduce heat loss and energy consumption in the buildings. In fact, phase change materials have high thermal energy storage capacity, which could change phase in a limited temperature range and absorb or release heating energy, and are applied for temperature stabilization in buildings. In this study, the thermal efficiency of 2 layers with different layouts of the PCM and insulation in the roof and the exterior walls of a residential building in the cold-dry climate of Tabriz is simulated and optimized by coupling energy plus and jEPlus, with the aim of reducing energy consumption and maintenance indoor temperature close to the comfort temperature range. The results illustrate that there could be up to 32.5% and 42% saving of annual consumed energy and heating load, respectively, by adding the PCM and insulation in different layouts with optimal thicknesses into the building constructions. Additionally, thermal comfort is provided in the indoor space of the building.