Green Building Attributes

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is an environmentally responsible building material that conserves material and energy usage in manufacture as well as energy efficiency of the building.

Environmental considerations include:
• Produced from one of earth’s most abundant natural materials — sand.
• The production energy consumption of autoclaved aerated concrete is much less than other masonry products.
• The thermal mass of the concrete saves energy year-round by reducing temperature swings.
• Can be crushed and recycled back into the environment..

The attributes of AAC provide distinct advantages to building designs when it is used to address “green” or sustainable building concerns. Many of these beneficial attributes are recognized by LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) to achieve the environmental benefits and advantages set by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council). LEED is a voluntary rating system. An environmentally conscious building owner or developer may choose to design and construct a building to minimize environmental impact using LEED rating system as a guide. For additional details visit: http://www.usgbc.org/

As a masonry product, AAC can account for various LEED credits. The most common points are:

Energy and Atmosphere

Energy Credit 1 – Optimize Energy Performance: AAC may contribute to energy efficiency credits. When combined with efficient windows and roof system, the envelope contributes to overall energy conservation. This energy performance credit is awarded when energy cost savings are realized compared to a base building that simply meets the requirements of ASHRAE/ESNA 90.1-1999 code. A total of one to ten points are awarded for energy cost savings of 15% - 60% for new buildings and 5% to 50% for existing buildings. AAC may help save energy with both new and renovated constructions. The high R value of AAC and its inherent thermal mass, provided for in most states’ energy codes, typically adds additional beneficial energy considerations, as opposed to “non-mass” or frame building material systems.

Materials and Resources

Materials Credit 1 – Building Reuse: The intent of the facility reuse credit is to create a rationale for utilizing as much of the original structure as possible within the confines of the new design or intended use. AAC structures are excellent candidates for this credit due to the generations of service life AAC masonry affords to the performance of the building skin or shell. This credit is valued at one point if 75% of the existing AAC building shell or structure remains, and two points if 100% of the AAC masonry shell is utilized

Materials Credit 2 – Construction Waste Management: This provision is sensitive to the growing scarcity of landfills. Simply put, less construction waste generated following site construction earns more rather than less points. One point is earned toward the design if 50% of the construction waste is recycled, and two points are earned if 75% of the residual site construction waste is recycled. AAC has the ability to be 100% recycled, either on site as drainable processed fill, or brought off-site to be reprocessed as consumer products such as “oil-dry”, composting aggregate. AAC may also be given new life as recycled wall components. The AAC site construction system generates approximately 1% material waste.

Material Credit 5 – Local/Regional Materials: Project sites located within 500 miles of our manufacturing plant in Adel, Georgia may be awarded one point.

Indoor Environment and Air Quality

Envrionment and Air Quality Credit 4: Low emiting materials. AAC has no volatile organic compounds.

Innovation and Design Process

ID 1: Innovation and Design: HEBEL AAC contributes to an Integrated Pest Management Plan. Rodents have no place to travel within AAC.

		Choose area / brand Company Hebel \| AAC


		Choose topic Home Company Info Contact Us Products AAC Technology Physical Qualities Testing and Certifications Green Building Attributes Hebel Projects Downloads / Technical Manual News Request for Information


		Environmental Product Declaration of AAC



		(PDF / / 1.8 Mb)