Analysis of the thermal properties of air-conditioning-type building materials

• Published in: Solar energy Vol. 86; no. 10; pp. 2967 - 2974
• Main Authors: Ma, Yiping, Li, Yuanshan, Zhu, Beirong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2012; Elsevier; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Air conditioning. Ventilation; Applied sciences; Building materials; Climate; Emittance; Energy; Energy modeling; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heating, air conditioning and ventilation; Solar absorptance; Techniques, equipment. Control. Metering; Thermally comfortable building environment; Thermodynamics; Transmittance; Weather; Emittance; Building materials; Thermally comfortable building environment; Solar absorptance; Transmittance; Air conditioning; Superheating; Construction materials; Absorption coefficient; Thermochromism; Thermal properties; Hot climate; Summing circuits; Cement; Cold climate
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2012.07.001

This work develops air-conditioning-type building materials suitable for different climate regions. Results show that using traditional building materials alone is unsuitable for any climate region, and that building materials of various thermal properties are needed to satisfy the requirements specific to each location. Low solar absorptance and high emittance materials are appropriate for hot climates, whereas high solar absorptance and low emittance materials are suitable for cold climates. Materials with variable solar absorptance and emittance properties are applicable to regions characterized by cold winters and hot summers. In addition, cement that is reversibly thermochromic at normal temperature and materials with variable transmittance properties can warm buildings in winter and prevent overheating in summer, thereby satisfying the need to create a thermally comfortable building environment.