Green Building Attributes

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) is an environmentally responsible building product that conserves material and energy usage during manufacturing and increases the energy efficiency of the building.

Environmental considerations include:
• Hebel AAC is produced from one of earth’s most abundant natural materials — sand.
• The production energy consumption of AAC is a fraction of that of other masonry products.
• The thermal mass of the concrete saves energy year-round by reducing temperature swings.
• No pollutants or toxins that could affect indoor air quality are released into the finished structure.
• No waste in the building process – AAC can be crushed and recycled.

These attributes of Hebel AAC provide distinct advantages to building designs that 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). For additional details visit: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19.

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

LEED - New Construction & Major Renovations

Energy and Atmosphere

EA Credit 1 – Optimize Energy Performance: (2 Points Mandatory)

Intent: Energy Performance above Baseline

AAC may contribute to energy efficiency credits. When combined with efficient windows and roof system, the envelope contributes to overall energy conservation. These energy performance credits are awarded when Energy Cost Savings are realized when compared to a base building performance rating that meets the requirements of ASHRAE/ESNA 90.1-1999 in Appendix G of the Standard.

For every 3.5% of Energy Cost Savings realized, one point is awarded. A total of two to ten points can be earned for energy cost savings of 14% - 42% for New Buildings and 7% to 35% for Existing Building Renovations. One additional Exemplary Performance Point can be earned for achieving 45.5% for New Buildings and 38.5% for Existing Building Renovations.

Hebel 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.

11 Total Points can be awarded with this Credit - Highest Point Potential of all LEED Credits

Materials and Resources

MR Credit 2.1 – Construction Waste Management: (1 Point)

Intent: Divert Waste from Landfills and Incinerators - “Recycle”

This provision is sensitive to the growing scarcity of landfills. Construction waste generated is minimized with AAC. One point can be earned if 50% of the construction waste is recycled.

MR Credit 2.2 – Construction Waste Management: (1 Point in addition to MR Credit 2.1)

Intent: Divert Waste from Landfills and Incinerators - “Recycle”

This provision is sensitive to the growing scarcity of landfills. Construction waste generated is minimized with AAC. One point can be earned if 75% of the construction waste is recycled.

HEBEL 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.

2 Total Points are possible with MR Credits 2.1 &.2.2

MR Credit 5.1 – Local/Regional Materials: (1 Point)

Intent: Increase demand for local goods, indigenous resources and reduced transportation -

If the Project Site is located within 500 miles of our manufacturing plant in Adel, Georgia and equals 10% of total cost of building materials, one point can be earned.

MR Credit 5.2 – Local/Regional Materials: (1 Point in addition to MR Credit 5.1)

Intent: Increase demand for local goods, indigenous resources and reduced transportation

If the Project Site is located within 500 miles of our manufacturing plant in Adel, Georgia and equals 20% of total cost of building materials, one point can be earned “In Addition to MR credit 5.1”.
Note: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and specialty items such as Elevators and Equipment are not included in the total cost of materials for either MR Credits 5.1 & 5.2.

2 Total Points are possible with MR Credits 5.1 & 5.2

Indoor Environmental Quality

EQ Prerequisite 2 – Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control (Required)

Intent: Minimize Exposure of Building Occupants to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)

Designated Smoking Rooms must Effectively Contain, Capture, and Remove ETS from the building; design and exhaust isolated spaces sufficiently to create negative pressure with respect to the rest of the regularly occupied areas of the building to prevent ETS from entering other areas of the building. The exhaust rate shall be at least 5 Pa, and with a Minimum of 1 Pa.
HEBEL ACC Closed Cell Structure and Air-tightness will not allow ETS from escaping isolation areas.

EQ Credit 4.1 – Low Emitting Materials: (1 Point)

Intent: Reduce the Quantity of Indoor Contaminates

All Adhesives and Sealants used on the Interior of the building shall comply with the requirements of South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCADQMD) Rule #1168.

Hebel AAC contains no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds).

Note: Interior of Building is defined as inside the weatherproofing system.

EQ Credit 5 – Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control: (1 Point)

Intent: Minimize Exposure to Particle/Chemical Pollutants

Where hazardous gases or chemicals are present, stored or used; design and exhaust isolated spaces sufficiently to create negative pressure with respect to the rest of the regularly occupied areas of the building to prevent Particle/Chemical Pollutants from entering other areas of the building. The exhaust rate shall be at least 0.05 cfm/sq.ft, with no air recirculation.
Hebel ACC Closed Cell Structure and Air-tightness will not allow Particle/Chemical Pollutants from escaping isolation areas.

EQ Credit 7.1 – Thermal Comfort: Design (1 Point)

Intent: Provide a Comfortable Thermal Environment

Design the Building Envelope and Systems with the capability to deliver comfort criteria per
ASHRAE standard 55-2004, Thermal Comfort Conditions for Human Occupancy.
HEBEL AAC Unique Closed Cellular Structure and Thermal Mass contribute to a High R-value which Reduces Heating and Cooling Cost in both Hot and Cold Climates, as well as Improving Indoor Air Quality.

Note: EQ Prerequisite 1, EQ Credit 1, and EQ Credit 2 must be awarded to achieve EQ Credit 7.1.

1 Requirement is possible with EQ Prerequisite 2
3 Total Points are possible with EQ Credits 4.1, 5, & 7.1

Innovation and Design Process

ID Credit 1-1.4 – Innovation in Design: (1-4 Points)

Intent: Provide Design Teams and Projects the opportunity to be awarded points for Exceptional
Performance and/or Innovative Performance above the requirements set by LEED for New
Construction Green Building Rating System –

Hebel AAC contributes to an Integrated Pest Management Plan; Insects and Rodents have no place to travel within AAC.

1 Point is possible with ID Credit 1

LEED Credits Awarded for meeting criteria:

Certified: 26-32 Points
Silver: 33-38 Points
Gold: 39-51 Points
Platinum: 52-69 Points

If Platinum Level is achieved, all fees associated with LEED Credits are refunded by the USGBC. Approximately a $20,000 credit back to the Building Owner from the USGBC.

HEBEL AAC can contribute to a possible 1 Prerequisite, and 19 LEED Credits towards Green Building Certification.

All Credits listed above are published in:
USGBC (United States Green Building Council)
LEED - New Construction & Major Renovation Reference Manual (Version 2.2) 3rd Addition.

To further its commitment to the environment, Xella is a member of the following organizations:

As a member of the Green Building Initiative, Xella is helping to accelerate the adoption of building practices that result in energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally sustainable buildings.

As a company rooted in green manufacturing and design, Xella is a member of the United States Green Building Council, whose goal is to propel the transformation of the building industry to a green-focused model.

ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, identified Xella’s Hebel Aerated Concrete as a product that can help save money and protect the environment