Through combining gypsum boards with phase change materials (PCM), the compound phase change wallboards are formed. The transition temperature and latent heat of these phase change wallboards are tested by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicate that these phase change wallboards can be applied in buildings to save energy cost and electric power. Then, the thermal properties of phase change wallboards are analyzed. The phase change wall room and the ordinary wall room are experimented and compared under the climatic conditions in winter in the northeast of China. The impact on the indoor temperature, surface temperature of wallboards and thermal flow through wall are achieved. Finally, it can be got that the phase change wallboards can improve indoor thermal environment. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.