Phase Change Material (PCM) Application in a Modernized Korean Traditional House (Hanok)

Abstract

Social and policy interest in the modernization and revitalization of the Korean traditional house (Hanok) has increased recently in Korea but its low thermal performance is one of its weaknesses. A feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of a Phase Change Material (PCM) in a modernized Hanok. The research method involved a test of the heating and cooling load reduction and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) analysis for human comfort using an Esp-r simulation adopting multi variable PCM types as the building wall composite. The influence of PCMs on reducing the building energy load was assessed as a criterion for upgrading materials and infiltration to the passive house regulation. Compared to the base case, the heating and cooling load reduction ratio were as follows: Case 1 (old-Hanok), 10%; Case 2 (Korean Building Act), 21%; and Case 3 (passive house regulation), 53%. The optimal phase change temperatures of the PCMs were Case 1 (24-26 • C), Case 2 (23-25 • C) and Case 3 (24-26 • C). PMV analysis showed that the use of a PCM can narrow the comfort range and centralize the optimal point. Therefore, the following contents can be presented as the design and material guidelines. First, the optimal PCM temperature can vary according to the combination of materials and local climate. In addition, the infiltration and insulation should be verified and a certain portion of them should be secured. Finally, the addition of insulation to a passive house level should be considered actively using a PCM as a supplement for net zero energy building (nZEB).

Innovative Evaluation Techniques for Hanok Sustainability Based on Integrative Comfort Indices

“…Previous studies, however, show that there is a lack of complex interest in the integrated evaluation system and detailed guidelines in terms of sustainability toward open innovation including the spatial comfort. Lee and Park, in this sense, raised some critical issues for Hanok have emerged, such as narrow space dimensions and the layout for a modern lifestyle, poor insulation, weak fire resistance, expensive construction costs and so on, in comparison to contemporary buildings [47,48].…”

Advanced Innovative Solutions for Final Design in Terms of Energy Sustainability of Nearly/Net Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB)

“…As regards the opaque envelope, six articles studied the impact of implementing passive solutions, such as phase change materials (PCM), green roofs, dynamic insulations, high-performance insulation materials and sunshades, flexible canopies and Prefabricated Straw Bale Construction (PSBL), on building energy performance and saving [24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

“…Lee et al [24] used Esp-r simulation software to evaluate the heating and cooling load reduction and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) for human comfort adopting multi variable PCM types as the building wall composite in a modernized Korean Hanok. They concluded that PCM helps reduce energy consumption also of 53.1%.…”

Applicability of Preliminary Standards for the Hanok Comfort Evaluation Based on Spatial Indices

“…To compensate for these problems, modern materials, such as insulation and glass windows, are applied. Through this, analysis shows that the energy load of hanok can be reduced by up to 73%, and the future value is also expected to be promising [14]. Since hanok is an ecological building that reflects cultural and social contexts, such as human and nature, changes in the intrinsic value of the materials should be avoided.…”