Evaluation of the effect of smart materials on thermal performance and heating load reduction of zero-energy buildings in the cold and mountainous climate of Tabriz city

Paidar Khiabani, Davood; Jodeiri Abasi, Mohammad; Alizadeh, Amin; Fathipoor, Reza; Feizi, Saideh

doi:10.48306/juem.2026.590040.1168

Evaluation of the effect of smart materials on thermal performance and heating load reduction of zero-energy buildings in the cold and mountainous climate of Tabriz city

Authors

Davood Paidar Khiabani ¹

Mohammad Jodeiri Abasi ²

Amin Alizadeh ³

Reza Fathipoor ³

Saideh Feizi ⁴

¹ 1. Department of Architecture, Ah. C., Islamic Azad University, Ahar, Iran.

² Department of Architecture,, Ah. C., Islamic Azad University, Ahar, Iran.

³ Department of Architecture, Ah. C. Islamic Azad University, Ahar, Iran.

⁴ Department of Architecture, Aza, C, Islamic Azad University, Azarshahr, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.48306/juem.2026.590040.1168

Abstract

This research investigates the potential of integrating smart materials to optimize energy consumption and enhance thermal performance within Near-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB), specifically focusing on the “Noor Aram” school located in the challenging cold and mountainous climate of Tabriz, Iran. To achieve high-fidelity results, a detailed four-story model was developed using DesignBuilder software, leveraging the robust EnergyPlus simulation engine for thermal analysis. The study evaluated three distinct performance-enhancement scenarios: the integration of Phase Change Materials (PCM), the application of Low-Emissivity (Low-E) glazing, and the implementation of advanced thermal insulation, comparing each against a standard baseline model.
The simulation findings demonstrate that while all evaluated smart materials contribute to energy savings, their overall efficacy is heavily dictated by the local climate and the specific composition of the building envelope. Advanced thermal insulation emerged as the most critical strategy, yielding a significant 34% reduction in total heating load and facilitating the building’s transition toward NZEB standards. Furthermore, the application of PCMs provided a 23% reduction in annual heating requirements by effectively buffering thermal fluctuations. In contrast, Low-E glazing showed a more marginal impact, primarily due to the limited ratio of transparent openings relative to the total heat loss occurring through opaque surfaces. Consequently, this study concludes that in cold regions, sustainable design must prioritize the optimization of opaque envelopes. It recommends that future building regulations adopt holistic, climate-aware strategies, combining high-performance insulation with strategic thermal mass management.

Keywords

Smart materials

Heating load

Near-zero energy buildings

Cold climate architecture

[1] Alassaad A, Seyedmahmoudian M, Horan B. Energy performance of smart building materials in zero-energy building applications: A comprehensive review. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2025; 192: 114237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114237.

[2] Rodrigues J, Martins A, Silva C. Energy consumption patterns in residential buildings: Global comparison and regional disparities. Building and Environment. 2023; 237:110347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110347.

[3] Wang S, Cheng L, Huang C. Zero-energy building design: Thermal performance of advanced façade systems using smart materials. Applied Energy. 2024; 355:121022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121022.

[4] Barbhuiya S, Islam H, Shalaby S. Intelligent façade materials and technologies for energy-efficient buildings: Advances and prospects. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2025; 453:141982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141982.

[5] Bal L, Nandi S, Dey S. Smart building materials and their role in adaptive thermal comfort: A systematic review. Construction and Building Materials. 2025; 420:133996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.133996.

[6] Li Y, Zhang Z, Chen M. Integration of renewable energy systems and advanced materials toward next-generation zero-energy buildings. Energy Reports. 2025;13: 904–926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.10.145.

[7] Bal S, Asha Rani NR. Next generation building materials for energy efficiency and climate responsive design. Discover Applied Sciences. 2025;7:796. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07360-z.

[8] Al-Yasiri Q, Al-Maamori M. A comprehensive review of PCM applications in building envelopes for energy efficiency in cold climates. Energy and Buildings. 2021;241:110944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110944.

[9] Stephen SS, Aigbavboa CO. Gyroscopic materials and smart technologies: Shaping resilient and energy-efficient buildings. Intelligent Buildings International. 2025:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17508975.2025.2498936.

[10] Ren J. Optimizing Phase Change Material Integration in Residential Building Envelopes for Cold Climates. Journal of Building Physics. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1177/17442591251324485.

[11] مجتبوی، سیده مریم و ارغوانی، نگین . (1402). واکاوی تأثیر مصالح هوشمند در ارتقاء آسایش ساکنان. رهپویه معماری و شهرسازی، 2(3)، 69-79. https://racj.ir/user/articles/1273

[12]. میرزایی، علیرضا (1403) کاربرد مصالح هوشمند در معماری ساختمان‌های سبز. رویکردهای پژوهشی در مهندسی عمران و معماری ایران. (35) . ص26-37. www.magiran.com/p2917603.

[13] شیخ لویی بناب، وحید و شقاقی، شهریار . (1401). چگونگی شکل گیری یک ساختمان مسکونی پایدار با استفاده از مواد و مصالح هوشمند در شهر تبریز. مطالعات هنر اسلامی، 19(47)، 303-318، https://doi.org/10.22034/rau.2023.2002009.1043.

[14] براتی الناز، تشکر سامان، شمس نیا امیر، (1402)، طراحی ساختمان انرژی صفر با استفاده از نرم افزار PVsyst و Energy Plus فصلنامه پژوهش های سیاست گذاری وبرنامه ریزی انرژی. ۹ (۱) :۶۴-۹۴http://epprjournal.ir/article-1-1119-fa.html

[15] عباس زاده، زهره. حق لسان، مسعود. ابراهیمی اصل، حسن. (1401). شبیه سازی ساختمانهای مسکونی با مولفه های مختلف معماری در جهت بهینه سازی مصرف انرژی در شهر تبریز(مطالعه موردی منطقه 1). فصلنامه جغرافیا (برنامه ریزی منطقه ای)، 12(49)، 430-448، https://doi.org/10.22034/jgeoq.2021.162869

[16]. طاهری گرجی، فاطمه. ابراهیم‌نژاد، محمدرضا و عباسی، نوشین. (1404). بررسی تحلیلی رابطۀ میان مصرف انرژی و ویژگی‌های کالبدی طراحی اقلیمی (فرم، جداره، بازشو و بام) در آپارتمان‌های مسکونی ناحیۀ معتدل و مرطوب ایران از دیدگاه خبرگان. فصلنامه سیستم های انرژی پایدار، 4(4)، 427-443. https://doi.org/10.22059/ses.2025.390771.1124.

[17] Nilimaa J, Zhaka V. An Overview of Smart Materials and Technologies for Concrete Construction in Cold Weather. Eng. 2023;4(2):1550–1580. https://doi.org/10.3390/eng4020089.

[18]. رخشانی‌نسب، ح.، چهارراهی، م.، سلیمانی دامنه، م. (۱۴۰۲). بررسی و تحلیل شاخص‌های شهرسازی مؤثر بر مسکن هوشمند در شهر شیراز. فصلنامه برنامه‌ریزی و توسعه محیط شهری، ۳(۱۰)، ۱۷–۳۴. 10.30495/JUEPD.2023.1980290.1146

[19] Moulaii M, Lotfi A, RezaeiRad H. Benefiting from smart materials in the shell of desert buildings to control thermal conductivity of interior spaces. Building Engineering. 2025;3(2):2196. https://doi.org/10.59400/be2196.

[20] Mirala F, Sajadi B, Akhavan Behabadi MA, Naderi E. The effect of using smart shadings on thermal and visual performances of buildings in Iran: A numerical simulation. Energy Equipment and Systems. 2023;11(4):371–386. https://doi.org/10.22059/ees.2023.2002587.1428.

[21] Baylis R, Monaci D, Firth S. Performance evaluation of phase change materials in residential buildings under cold climate conditions. Applied Thermal Engineering. 2024;235:121324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2023.121324.

[22] Energy Analysis of Double-Layer PCM System. Energy performance evaluation of a double-layer PCM wall system in cold climate conditions. Sustainable Cities and Society. 2023;93:104525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104525.

[23] Alwetaishi N, Alzaed A. Smart construction materials for sustainable and resilient infrastructure innovations. Innovative Reviews in Engineering and Science. 2026;3(2):60–72. https://doi.org/10.31838/INES/03.02.07.

[24] Vedrtnam A, Kalauni K, Soares N, Salazar B, Ostertag CP, Taylor HK. Phase change materials for climate-adaptive buildings: A review framed by tropical and Mediterranean climates. Journal of Energy Storage. 2025; 125:116938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2025.116938.