Comprehensive review on heat pump systems integrated with phase change material-based thermal energy storage for sustainable building heating

Abstract

Heat pumps (HPs) are promising solutions for sustainable building heating owing to their high efficiency and low carbon footprint. However, their performance is often limited by challenges such as defrosting, peak electricity demand, and reliance on intermittent renewable sources. Integrating phase change material (PCM)-based thermal energy storage (TES) with HP systems has emerged as an effective strategy for overcoming these barriers. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of PCM-TES integration with various HP technologies, including air-source, ground-source, dual-source, and solar-assisted systems. PCM-based TES enables thermal load shifting, enhances operational stability, and shortens the defrosting duration by up to 75 %. This paper discusses the optimal PCM selection criteria, TES configurations on both the evaporator and condenser sides, and TES performance enhancement methods. Among the reviewed technologies, dual-source and photovoltaic thermal-assisted HPs with PCM-TES demonstrated the most potential in terms of energy efficiency and emission reduction. Comparative evaluations highlighted improved system COP, reduced peak energy consumption, and enhanced year-round performance. This review provides valuable insights for the development of next-generation HP systems and offers guidance for researchers, designers, and policymakers aiming to promote low-carbon energy-resilient building technologies.