Effect of a Movable Phase Change Materials (PCMs) Layer on Lowering Energy Usage in Desert Structures

Current scientific and engineering research has shifted its primary focus to the reduction of conventional energy consumption to mitigate environmental issues such as global warming. With the increasing demand for ventilation and heating in buildings across the globe, there is a need for appropriate technologies to enhance their thermal performance. One such technology is the use of phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage strategies in buildings, which, when selected appropriately, can meet thermal comfort requirements. This chapter examines the incorporation of movable PCMs within the building envelope as an alternative to the traditional and permanent use of phase-changing materials throughout the year. There are several key performance indicators, such as monthly and annual energy savings, average air temperature, and daily average temperature fluctuation. This is accomplished by delaying nighttime air conditioning by incorporating the criticised PCM, which delays the apex of heat to other hours when people are outside the home, as well as temperature amplitude. The results indicate that incorporating movable PCMs into a building’s envelope reduces energy consumption by 21.05% when compared to conventional fixed PCM panels. In addition, when analysing the integration of traditional PCM in the ceiling, the study reveals a significant reduction in annual energy consumption of 10.15% for RT21 PCMs and 17.03% for RT26 PCMs. These findings demonstrate the efficacy of integrating movable PCMs as a means to improve building energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. This research contributes to the optimisation of PCM applications in arid climates and provides insights for enhancing thermal performance and energy efficiency in the built environment.