Parameters/configurations adaptability and economic evaluation of PCM for reducing energy demands with lightweight buildings under different climates/cities based on orthogonal experiment and EnergyPlus: China-Japan comparison

Currently, most studies on the energy-saving of PCM are limited to a certain climate or part of PCM parameters/ configurations, and the problem of optimal parameters/configurations and suitability of PCM under different climates, energy demands, and energy prices have yet to be well solved. Therefore, the suitability level, the influence degree, and the economic applicability of each PCM parameter/configuration under different climates and energy prices were evaluated in this study by orthogonal experiment and EnergyPlus. Results show that: (1) Different PCM parameters/configurations are required for different climates/cities in reducing energy demands; (2) Factors C (location) and F (orientation) have the highest impact on energy savings, while B (phase-transition temperature range) is the lowest; (3) Higher energy-saving can be achieved by evenly distributing to all ori-entations (priority: Roof > East > West > South > North) under the same PCM volume (VPCM); (4) PCM can save up to 7.3%-38.06% (China) and 5.17%-20.37% (Japan) for the total loads under the optimal PCM parameters/ configurations; (5) the maximum acceptable PCM cost is 5.05 $/kg in China and 8.81 $/kg in Japan based on a 20-year payback period. The research results can provide references for maximizing the PCM application benefits under different climates and energy prices.