Effect of moisture transfer on internal surface temperature

In order to study the influence of moisture transfer on the wall internal surface temperature, a coupled heat and moisture transfer transient model was proposed in this paper. Relative humidity and temperature were chosen as the driving potentials. The accuracy of the proposed model was verified by comparing the simulated results with the experimental data. By employing the developed model, the internal surface temperature of walls made of different materials was evaluated under the constant and variable boundary conditions. The results show that the effect of moisture transfer on the wall internal surface temperature is significant. When the moisture transfer is taken into account, the internal surface temperature has cooling effect on the indoor air and is beneficial to improve the indoor thermal environment during the working hours in summer, which lays a scientific basis for low energy building design.

► A coupled heat and moisture transfer model is presented and verified by experimental data.
► The influence of moisture transfer on the internal surface temperature is significant.
► The guiding suggestions are obtained for energy-saving buildings.