Thermochromic Paints on External Surfaces: Impact Assessment for a Residential Building through Thermal and Energy Simulation

Vasco Granadeiro, Margarida Almeida, Tiago Souto, Vítor Leal, João Machado and Adélio Mendes
Additional contact information
Vasco Granadeiro: INEGI, Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial, rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Margarida Almeida: LEPABE, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Tiago Souto: CIN—Corporação Industrial do Norte, S.A., Av. de Dom Mendo 831, 4471-909 Maia, Portugal
Vítor Leal: DEMEC, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
João Machado: CIN—Corporação Industrial do Norte, S.A., Av. de Dom Mendo 831, 4471-909 Maia, Portugal
Adélio Mendes: LEPABE, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: This work addresses the effect of using thermochromic paints in residential buildings. Two different thermochromic paint types were considered: One that changes properties through a step transition at a certain temperature, and another that changes properties in a gradual/linear manner throughout a temperature range. The studied building was a two-floor villa, virtually simulated through a digital model with and without thermal insulation, and considering thermochromic paints applied both on external walls and on the roof. The performance assessment was done through the energy use for heating and cooling (in conditioned mode), as well as in terms of the indoor temperature (in free-floating mode). Three different cities/climates were considered: Porto, Madrid, and Abu Dhabi. Results showed that energy savings up to 50.6% could be reached if the building is operated in conditioned mode. Conversely, when operated in free-floating mode, optimally selected thermochromic paints enable reductions up to 11.0 °C, during summertime, and an increase up to 2.7 °C, during wintertime. These results point out the great benefits of using optimally selected thermochromic paints for obtaining thermal comfort, and also the need to further develop stable and cost-effective thermochromic pigments for outdoor applications, as well as to test physical models in a real environment.

Keywords: thermochromic paints; residential buildings; thermal comfort; energy demand; energy efficiency; building simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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