DuPont Building Innovations and Environmental Design Solution Ltd. (EDSL), one of the UK’s leading building simulation software houses, have developed an innovative program to simulate the performance of DuPont™ Energain®, a phase change material that acts in panel form as a lightweight thermal mass solution.

This new modelling software called “Energain® Thermal Mass Builder” helps architects, engineering offices and specifiers accurately and quickly determine the impact of DuPont™ Energain® on a building’s energy and interior comfort. The software interfaces with EDSL’s established Tas Building Designer software which is approved by the CLG (Communities and Local Government) for both Building Regulation Part L2 and the Energy Performance Certificate calculations.EDSL Tas Building Designer software has a modular design and is split into three main programs, the 3D Modeller, Building Simulator and Results Viewer. The intuitive Windows interface has features such as undo/redo, drag drop, context menus etc. all making the software more productive and easier to use. The program architecture clearly defines the simulation workflow process facilitating methodical working by the Engineer. Gary Norris, DuPont™ Energain® Representative for the UK, explained: “Energy consumption and room climate, especially during hot weather, can be significantly influenced by the thermal mass of a building. DuPont™ Energain® helps to stabilize room temperatures by up to 7°C and reduce energy consumption by up to 15% for heating costs and up to 35% of air-conditioning costs, as real-life experiments have proven.”

DuPont™ Energain® is based on a DuPont patented technology and has been designed as thermal mass for low inertia buildings that typically are at the mercy of temperature fluctuations which often require air-conditioning and other energy-consuming systems to correct.

Compared to some conventional thermal mass products, as for example concrete, a 5 mm DuPont™ Energain® panel behaves approximately like 30 – 40 mm of concrete. DuPont™ Energain®, which is supplied in the form of pre-cut and pre-taped panels measuring 1.0m x 1.2m x 5.26mm thickness, is also lightweight and easy to install behind walls and ceilings.

DuPont™ Energain® works by employing the capability of the phase change material to absorb and release heat. Simply put, the panel consists of a compound with a melt point of 22°C, at which stage it begins to absorb heat from the room and to store it. When the interior temperature drops back to 18°C, it re-solidifies and releases warmth back into the room.  

A free demo of “Energain® Thermal Mass Builder” is available at www.edsl.net/main/Software/DemoDownload.aspx or at www.energain.co.uk

Tas users will be able to download the new module for free, when it will be an integral part of the next Tas release 9.2 coming up in October 2010.