Autoclaved aerated concrete offers both material and performance aspects from a sustainability perspective. On the material side, it can contain recycled materials like fly ash and rebar, which may help contribute to credits in green rating systems. Further, it incorporates such a large quantity of air containing less raw material per volume than many other building products.
From a performance perspective, the system leads to tight building envelopes, which creates an energy-efficient envelope and protects against unwanted air losses. Physical testing demonstrates heating and cooling savings of roughly 10 to 20 percent compared to conventional frame construction. Inconsistently cold climates, the savings may be somewhat less because they have a lower thermal mass than other concrete types.
Depending on manufacturing relative to the project site, ALC may also contribute to local materials credits in some green building rating systems.
