Green Building In I'On

The I'On Group's focus on innovation has certainly made Charleston development more interesting, and their latest project – pioneering aerated autoclaved concrete blocks in the Lowcountry – is no exception. I love being part of the Charleston real estate scene in the midst of so much progress! Better and better!

"Energy efficiency plays an important part in today’s construction industry, influencing decisions on everything from choice of building materials and appliances to neighborhood design and location. I’On Build, a new construction division of I’On Group, is building new homes using an uncommon building material that offers both energy-efficient and weather-resistant properties.

Aerated autoclaved concrete blocks are an alternative to concrete masonry units. AAC blocks are energy efficient, have the highest fire-resistance rating in the industry and are rot- and mold-resistant.

Made from sand, lime, cement, water and a rising agent, the blocks do not generate pollutants or hazardous wastes when they are created, making them a green, sustainable material.

The AAC blocks originated in Europe in the 1940s and have been used in European countries regularly since then.

The benefits of using AAC blocks outweigh the downsides, said Mark Lipsmeyer, chief operating officer for I’On Group. While use of AAC may increase material costs by abut 10%, installing the blocks is less labor-intensive than installing concrete masonry blocks, meaning labor costs will be lower in a home built with AAC blocks. Also, because of the material’s energy-efficient properties, heating and air costs will be lower than in homes built without AAC.

'AAC block is ideal for the Charleston area because of the strength and energy-efficient qualities,' Lipsmeyer said. 'Because of this, the block is slowly gaining in popularity and I’On group is excited to be leading the charge in the use of this amazing material in a production environment.'

So far, I’On Group has built four homes in the I’On community of Mount Pleasant using AAC blocks. They’ll be used in the construction of homes within the new I’On Group development, Mixson, located in the Park Circle area of North Charleston.

Use of AAC blocks is expected to factor into the possibility of I’On Group’s receiving a Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design certification for the Mixson neighborhood.
Currently, Mixson is part of a group of fewer than 250 developments nationwide that are attempting to become the first LEED-certified neighborhood development."

For the full Charleston Regional Business Journal article: http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/pub/13_18/news/10221-1.html

For the Aercon Aerated Autoclaved Concrete company website: http://www.aerconaac.com/index.html

For general news about the I'On Group and their projects: http://iongroup.com/blog/

To test your eye for spotting the use of this material, check out the I'On Homes for Sale page and try to find the four AAC houses: http://www.ionrealty.com/find_home/?todo=search&type=home&price=&bedrooms=&address=Address&lot_number=Lot+Number