Two Trails has provided a decades worth of Sustainable Building Consulting Services for the NAHB International Builders Show The New American Home and The New American Remodel Projects
Parrish, FL – The NAHB 2019 International Builders Show held in Las Vegas, NV at the Las Vegas Convention Center is the culmination of building industry professionals meeting on new initiatives, learning about best practices and the latest products showcased by industry manufactures. This year marks Two Trails 10th year as the Sustainable Building Consultants for the two showcase homes. During the show duration the homes are expected to be viewed by over 7,000 show patrons in 3 days.
The New American Home and The New American Remodel is one of NAHB’s most successful and visible programs produced and presented by the NAHB Leading Suppliers Council. The design, construction and amenities are market driven, and showcase the latest in innovative products for the future of home building. The show home demonstrates Builders' Best Practices, concepts, materials, designs and construction techniques that can be replicated – in whole or in part – in housing built any place and in any price range. Incorporating such elements as the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, safety and universal design as well as market value is a principal goal of The New American Home program. It’s mission is to show that housing performance can be incorporated into the most simple or most complex homes, and that it’s equally as important as aesthetics. Two Trails has also been chosen to be the Sustainability Building Consultants and Verifiers for The NAHB (National Association of Builders) 2020 New American Home and The New American Remodel Home.
The 2019 New American Home. Office over looking the man cave.
The NAHB showcase homes are very demanding projects. In most cases the building timeline is accelerated in order meet the deadline of the International Builders show. The homes design has to take into account the amount of people touring the home, suppliers contributions integrated into design and above all the homes must be certified to the National Green Building Standard. Achieving this task takes a tightly integrated team from design to completion. Below you will find the highlighted sustainable features of The New American Home and The New American Remodel.
The 2019 New American Remodel: Drew Smith presenting the multiple Sustainable Certifications the home received.
THE 2019 NEW AMERICAN HOME: SUN WEST CUSTOM HOMES
Thermal Shell
Unvented and air sealed attic with a combination of Owens Corning roof insulation sheathing (R-10) and Owens Corning PROPINK Complete™ Blown-in (R-57)
Western Windows and patio doors with low-e coating and argon gas fill to limit solar heat gain and optimize air tightness
Owens Corning PROPINK Complete™ Blown-in Wall System (R-46)
Owens Corning FORMULAR™ Exterior Wall sheathing Insulation (R-10)
Owens Corning Slab Insulation (R-10)
AeroSeal’s AeroBarrier aerosol thermal envelope sealer utilized to further reduce envelope leakage
Large overhangs to aid in protecting the home from the harsh Nevada sun
Light colored exterior to assist in reflecting the sun
HVAC
Mitsubishi’s Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Ducted Split-System Heat Pump HVAC system provided space conditioning
Variable speed compressors in outdoor heat pump units adds efficiency and quietness
Lifebreath’s Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) quietly provides fresh air while reducing the loads on the HVAC system
Mechanical ventilation with humidistat or occupancy controllers provided by Panasonic
Space conditioning system located entirely within the conditioned space
Total Duct Leakage tested at 4.5 CFM25 per 100 sq.ft. and confirmed to be within ENERGY STAR® parameters
Duct Leakage to the Outdoors tested at 2.0 CFM25 per 100 sq.ft. and confirmed to be within ENERGY STAR® parameters
Hot Water
Bosch ENERGY STAR®-rated tankless water heaters with an efficiency (EF) of 0.99
Insulated hot water lines utilized throughout the project to reduce heat loss
Electrical
100% energy-efficient LED lighting for all interior and exterior lighting
Thermador’s ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances, including dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, and clothes washers
Pentair ENERGY STAR®-rated variable speed pool pumps
Energy Efficiency and Innovation
As one of the NAHB’s official show homes, The New American Home (TNAH) 2019 is a symbol of energy efficiency and innovation. The home exhibits innovative products from manufacturers all over the world. A noteworthy feature of TNAH 2019 is the proposed air tightness of its thermal shell. AeroSeal’s AeroBarrier aerosol thermal envelope sealer was utilized before drywall had been finished. The tested air changes per hour at 50 Pascals (ACH50) prior to AeroBarrier’s application was 14 ACH(50), and after application; 2.06 ACH(50). A remarkable 679% improvement!
TNAH 2019 is designed to exceed the requirements for certification to the Emerald level of the National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS). Its energy-efficient features can be used in homes in a hot climate at any price point with similar energy savings. The home is also certified EPA Energy Star, as well as, the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS certification.
Two Trails, Inc. worked closely with Sun West Custom Homes to ensure energy efficiency and innovation in TNAH 2019. This home has a registered HERS Index of 45. It is 55% more efficient than the average new code-built home. At this level of energy efficiency, the home is designed to provide over $3,009 in annual energy savings to the home owner.
Water Efficiency
In addition to energy savings, this home’s calculated monthly water savings is a remarkable 58.17%. This incredible water use reduction is made possible using low-flow water fixtures, natural indigenous landscaping, and a high-efficient irrigation system.
Proposed water saving features include:
Kohler low-flow, EPA WaterSense certified 1.2 & 1.5 GPM lavatory faucets and 1.28 GPF toilets provides the indoor water use reduction
High-efficient micro spray, drip-lines and irrigation controller contributed to the outdoor water use reduction
Designed Indoor Environmental Quality Features
Indoor Environmental Quality encompasses the conditions inside a home, and their effects on residents. The New American Home 2019 incorporated innovative strategies, creating an indoor environmental quality that enhance the lives of homeowners, protects occupants’ health, and improves quality of life.
Indoor Environmental Quality strategies include:
Sherwin Williams Low-VOC paints and finishes and low-VOC interior adhesives and sealants
MERV 13 space conditioning air filters
HVAC ducts sealed during construction to prevent pollutants from construction activities from entering the system
Whole Building ventilation system configured to allow the correct amount of fresh air in to the home
Eco-Friendly cabinets – Formaldehyde free and material certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
Eco-Friendly flooring – Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label certified flooring products
THE 2019 NEW AMERICAN REMODEL: STUDIO G ARCHITECTURE
Proposed Thermal Shell
Unvented and air sealed attic with a closed-cell spray foam insulation system (R-38)
Windows and patio doors with low-e coating and argon gas fill to limit solar heat gain and optimize air tightness.
Kingspan’s Kooltherm, Fi-Foil M-Shield, and spray foam insulation on exterior walls (R-37)
Large overhangs to aid in protecting the home from the harsh Nevada sun
Proposed HVAC
Daikin Mulit Split VRV Air Conditioning with a proposed SEER of 24.5
Multiple Air Handling Units provide individual room climate control
Mechanical ventilation provided by Air King
Space conditioning system located entirely within the conditioned space
Proposed Hot Water
ENERGY STAR®-rated tankless water heaters with an efficiency (EF) of 0.95
Insulated hot water lines utilized throughout the project
Proposed Electrical
100% of all interior and exterior lamps are energy-efficient LED lighting
ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances
ENERGY STAR®-rated variable speed pool pumps
Designed Energy Efficiency and Innovation
As one of the NAHB’s official show homes, The New American Remodel (TNAR) 2019 is a symbol of energy efficiency and innovation. The home exhibits cutting-edge products from manufacturers all over the world.
TNAR 2019 is designed to exceed the requirements for certification to the Emerald level of the National Green Building Standard™. Its energy-efficient features can be used in homes in a hot climate at any price point with similar energy savings. The home is also targeted to be certified EPA Energy Star program as well as the Indoor airPLUS program and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home.
Two Trails, Inc. worked closely with Studio G Architecture to ensure energy efficiency and innovation in TNAR 2019. This home has a preliminary HERS Index of 58! A fantastic improvement from the pre-remodel HERS Index of 135! It is 42% more efficient than the average new code-built home and designed to have a 43% reduction of energy usage from pre-remodel levels. At this level of energy efficiency, the home is designed to provide over $1,621 in annual energy savings to the homeowner.
Designed Water Efficiency
In addition to energy savings, this home is designed to achieve approximately a 51% reduction in water use from pre-remodel levels. This remarkable water use reduction is made possible using low-flow water fixtures and a high-efficient irrigation system. Water saving features include:
Kohler low-flow, EPA WaterSense certified 1.2 GPM lavatory faucets and 1.28 GPF toilets
Natural, indigenous landscaping, high-efficient micro spray, drip-lines and irrigation controller contributed to the outdoor water use reduction
Designed Indoor Environmental Quality Features
Indoor Environmental Quality encompasses the conditions inside a home, and their effects on residents. The New American Remodeled Home 2018 incorporated innovative strategies, creating an indoor environmental quality that enhance the lives of homeowners, protects occupants’ health, and improves quality of life. Indoor Environmental Quality strategies include:
Low-VOC paints and finishes and low-VOC interior adhesives and sealants
MERV 13 space conditioning air filters
HVAC ducts sealed during construction to prevent pollutants from construction activities from entering the system
Whole Building ventilation system configured to allow the correct amount of fresh air in to the home
ABOUT TWO TRAILS, INC. | Two Trails, Inc. is a National Sustainable Building Consulting firm established in 2001 with offices in Florida, Nevada and Illinois. Two Trails provides sustainable consulting, administration, verification & commissioning services nationwide for Commercial, Government, Multi-Family, Residential and Developments looking to obtain LEED USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, Energy Star, & Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) certifications.