Optimising Phase Change Materials for Ventilated Building Components in Sustainable Building Design: a Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The rise in energy-efficient, sustainable building operations necessitates the development of advanced innovations that reduce heating and cooling demands while maintaining comfortable indoor thermal conditions. Phase change materials (PCMs) demonstrate significant potential as a stabilization mechanism through latent heat storage for managing residential indoor temperatures; however, their integration into systems requires further optimisation. This review examines PCM-assisted ventilation technologies—specifically ventilated façades, roofs, and windows—highlighting their energy performance, which ranges from 7.7 % to 32.8 %, and their capacity to reduce peak temperatures by 2.5 °C to 7.02 °C. These improvements are influenced by PCM thickness of 15–35 mm and melting temperatures of 15–37 °C. The combination of PCM-enhanced hybrid systems with natural or mechanical ventilation has shown greater operational effectiveness, particularly in hot climates and when integrated with adaptive control systems to achieve optimal performance. Despite their benefits, widespread adoption of PCM technologies is hindered by high material costs, hysteresis effects, and limited discharge cycle efficiency. Nevertheless, PCM-enhanced ventilation systems have proven capable of supporting sustainable, low-energy buildings. Continued research is needed to develop cost-effective design strategies, automated control mechanisms, and climate-responsive optimisations to fully realize their potential. © 2025 The Author(s)