The months of July and August are considered the hottest in Europe. But it is not only the Mediterranean region that is groaning under ever new record temperatures. People in temperate regions are also sweating more and more, even in their homes or at work. According to figures from the German Weather Service, last July set new heat records. The average temperature in July 2022 was 19.2 degrees Celsius (°C), 2.3 degrees above the value of the internationally valid reference period 1961 to 1990.
80 percent of summer heat enters the house through the roof. The exterior components of buildings in particular are already exposed to particularly high temperature fluctuations in summer. Surface temperatures can reach up to 70 °C, and even 80 °C on the roof.
Jürgen Leppig, chairman of the GIH Association of Energy Consultants, says at the Xella Building Academy, where the company pools and shares expertise, "In the coming years, protection against heat in a house will even become increasingly important than measures against cold." That's because good building protection is important not only for health and energy consumption. "Employee loyalty also benefits - literally - from a good working atmosphere. In addition measures against rising temperatures and humidity have been proven to reduce the frequency of errors in hot weather," says Leppig. Most people get too warm when the room temperature is just under 25 degrees Celsius, and men are even more likely to get too hot than women.
Air conditioners are not an optimal solution
Using more electricity-powered air conditioners and fans is not a sustainable solution. They consume a lot of energy. This is a problem not only in the event of an energy crisis: because of rising energy prices, operating additional cooling measures becomes a financial burden. In particular, the high installation costs fall away if, for example. Operators of commercial properties rely on solid assembly components from Hebel.
AAC walls absorb heat only slowly
Who builds with the correct material, can do without expensive technical aids. Exterior walls made of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) protect against summer heat through their mass and pores and conduct less heat into the interior. This means that if it gets hot outside in summer, it stays pleasantly fresh inside the building.
The advantage of Ytong AAC, Silka calcium-silicate blocks and Hebel AAC can be seen on the thermometer. Surface temperatures were measured for 24 hours on a 24-cm-thick sun-exposed, black-painted wall made of autoclaved aerated concrete. On the outside, the temperature fluctuated around 70 degrees Celsius. The people in the building were spared. The inside of the wall heated up only from 18 to 20 degrees.
AAC has another advantage, however. Unlike other building materials, there are no additional investment and operating costs for insulation or air conditioning.
AAC can be used for monolithic and thus particularly sustainable construction. No further external insulation is required for thermal protection. Combined with the fast and easy processing, this proves to be an extremely economical solution. The wall, roof and ceiling panels, which can be installed quickly and cost-effectively, guarantee a balanced indoor climate, and the solid roof made of AAC also acts as a buffer. The attic thus becomes a fully-fledged living space all year round. And incidentally, the sound insulation is increased, which makes living near an airport more attractive.
Storage capacity also pays off in cold months
The low thermal conductivity of Ytong and Hebel autoclaved aerated concrete also pays off in winter. Then the building materials retain the heat in the house. This sustainable and economical construction method, which offers a perfect solution for all seasons, protects the environment and the wallet.