Optimizing passive energy savings in rural self-built houses: Integrating phase change materials across China's climate zones

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2024-12, Vol.311, p.133377, Article 133377
• Main Authors: Li, Weilin, Li, Rufei, Sui, Wenhai, Liu, Changhai, Yang, Liu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Different climate zones; Optimal laying scheme; Passive energy saving; Phase change materials; Rural self-built houses
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.133377

The energy consumption of rural residential buildings in China is increasing, and the integration of phase change materials (PCMs) has emerged as an effective strategy to mitigate building energy use and carbon emissions. Given China's diverse climate zones and the varying construction forms of rural self-built houses (RSHs), the efficacy of PCM applications varies significantly across regions. This study presents a comprehensive investigation into passive energy savings using PCMs in RSHs across various climate zones. We investigate the energy saving potential and thermal comfort effects of installing PCMs with varying phase change temperatures and thicknesses at different laying positions in representative buildings from each climate zone. The results indicate that the optimal phase change temperatures in different regions closely align with the outdoor average temperatures during the application season. When the optimal phase change temperatures and appropriate thicknesses of PCM are applied, cost-effective energy savings are consistently achieved in building roofing across regions, with the most significant effects observed in the Severe Cold region, where the uncomfortable degree hours reduction rate (φUDH) exceeds 90 %. •Focus on energy saving effect of phase change materials in rural self-built houses.•A synthetic study of typical rural self-built houses in all climatic zones of China.•Obtain optimal phase change temperature, thickness and economical laying position.•Acquire the maximum energy saving in Severe Cold region which is over 90 % in summer.•No significant energy savings in winter in all climate zones.