Evaluating the role of thermal mass in energy flexibility: A comparative study of insulated concrete forms and conventional building materials

In response to increasing market demands and the growing impact of climate change on heating and cooling requirements in buildings, innovative and sustainable construction solutions such as Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) are being developed. These systems offer promising improvements in both energy efficiency and environmental performance compared to traditional building materials. This study investigates energy flexibility strategies in the Mediterranean region by examining the role of thermal mass in two construction types: traditional brick masonry and standard ICF systems. The results show that ICFs are highly effective during the heating season, achieving energy savings of up to 56% compared to brick masonry. However, during the summer months, while ICFs can reduce peak cooling demand, their dynamic thermal performance remains limited due to the internal insulation layer in their configuration.