NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Bobbi Simmons, 317-414-7523
25th New American Home Features Green Building Material AAC
Orlando, FL, February 13, 2008 . . . The New American Home, an annual show house project at the International Builders Show, celebrated its 25th anniversary this year by demonstrating innovative green building techniques. One of the most green products used in the home is autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), a versatile material that saves energy and is sustainable and healthy as well.
AAC is green in both its manufacturing process as well as in its use as panels and building blocks of a home according to Mike Quaka, general manager of AERCON, the manufacturer of AAC products used in The New American Home. "We chose to participate in this year's show home because we believe Americans are looking for a better way to build their dream home – a way that is respectful of the environment they will leave to their children, and good for their own health and well-being. AAC products fit both of these desires," Quaka said.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, The New American Home is constructed using a systems-engineering approach incorporating NAHB's Green Building Guidelines and the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program. Each component of the home was selected and integrated into the project through a systems approach of designing, testing, and redesigning. All of the home's components work together in harmony to achieve maximum performance. This year's home achieves high levels of efficiency through advanced HVAC equipment, use of AAC, careful installation of insulation, air sealing, and high performance windows. The show home will be "Energy Star" rated, certified "green", and an environmentally friendly home under standards set forth by the Florida Green Building Coalition, an organization dedicated to eco-friendly construction practices.
Quaka explains the benefits of building with AAC: "I don't know of another product as all inclusive as AAC. It provides structure, fire protection, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, and can be the finished material as well. AAC brings the workability of wood to an inorganic green material that is completely recyclable, produced with little or no waste, and ready for use after a short 24-hour manufacturing process. Because of today's economic trends in both labor and materials, the installed price is now comparable to other structural building materials, while the benefits far outweigh them.
"We in the industry are working to educate persons at all stages of construction from development and design to end user. Because AAC impacts so many facets of construction, its appropriate use and benefits need to be explained so that codes and use are in sync. For example, because of its thermal benefits, sizing of the heating and cooling system of each structure needs to be reduced when compared to conventional systems.
"So various testing bodies, code officials and industry organizations are currently working on further research to document best practices using AAC. Some standards have been published, while others are in the works, from such organizations as ASTM, the International Building Code, the American Concrete Institute, the Masonry Society, the Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards, the Portland Cement Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, ASHRAE, UL, the National Institute of Building Sciences and others.
"What is required for AAC to realize its full potential to revolutionize the US construction industry? First, the appropriate ingredients, parts and pieces, and techniques will continue to be documented. Then, installers will get educated on how to estimate a job, judge crew sizes and the required abilities of each crew member. With AAC, you must think more like a carpenter than a mason. You can cut it with a dry saw, shape it, and screw into it without pre-drilling. Interface between other products will be explored for best practices."
For more information about building homes with AAC, contact Allan Zukerman, director of marketing, AERCON, 317-554-6204.
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PHOTO CAPTIONS FOR THE NEW AMERICAN HOME 2008
Distinguished by columned portico along its symmetrical front elevation and an H-shaped, two-story floor plan that opens to generous outdoor areas overlooking Lake Nona, the New American Home '08 is designed for a well-established professional with a mature family. The home's green energy-saving features include autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) construction manufactured by AERCON.
The New American Home '08 demonstrates healthy green building including autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) construction. It was constructed using a systems-engineering approach incorporating the National Association of Home Builders' Green Building Guidelines and the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program.
The New American Home 2008 debuts at the International Builders' Show February 13-16 in Orlando, Florida. One of its manufacturer contributors, AERCON, makes autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). AAC is one of the building materials that contributes to the home's Energy Star rating.
An environmentally friendly home, The New American Home '08 debuted today, Feb. 13, 2008, at the International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida. The show attracts over 70,000 builders and construction industry professionals annually to learn the newest and most innovative practices in the US home building industry. Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) construction is one of the features of this green demonstration home, manufactured by AERCON.