Performance
TNAR 2019 exemplifies efficiency and innovation, showcasing cutting-edge products from manufacturers all over the world. Two Trails, Inc. continues to work closely with NAHB’s Leading Suppliers Council and Luxus Deign Build, LLC to ensure the highest possible efficiency is being achieved. The progress and proposed efficiency elements are displayed below.
Thermal Shell
▪ Unvented and air sealed attic with Kingspan’s Kooltherm continuous exterior insulation system in addition to Fi-Foil HY-FI® on the bottom cord of the roof trusses (R-40)
▪ 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 HY-FI®, and spray foam insulation on exterior walls (R-35)
▪ Large overhangs to aid in protecting the home from the harsh Nevada sun
▪ Aeroseal’s AeroBarrier aerosol envelope air sealing technology designed to reduce air leakage
HVAC
▪ NextAire’s variable capacity, Natural Gas Heat Pump air conditioning system with a proposed SEER of 24.5
▪ NextAire/Daikin Multi-Split VRV indoor fan coil units
▪ Multiple Air Handling Units provide individual room climate control
▪ Mechanical ventilation provided by Air King
▪ Space conditioning system located entirely within the conditioned space
Hot Water
▪ Rinnai ENERGY STAR®-rated natural gas tankless water heaters with an efficiency (EF) of 0.95
▪ Insulated hot water lines utilized throughout the project to reduce heat loss
Electrical
▪ 100% energy-efficient LED lighting for all interior and exterior lighting
▪ Gaggenau’s ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances
▪ ENERGY STAR®-rated variable speed pool pumps
Solar Array
▪ LG NeONTM 330-watt solar panels (49 panels)
▪ Enphase IQ6+ Microinverters
▪ 16.17 kW Photovoltaic (PV) system
▪ Ballasted Racking System eliminates roof penetrations
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 Energy Efficiency Features
The New American Remodel 2019 achieves a very high level of energy efficiency. The home proposes the use of solar energy to power a portion of its electrical systems, space conditioning and hot water systems. The proposed 16.17 kW Photovoltaic (PV) system will generate an estimated 26,977 kWh of energy yearly. This PV array will provide approximately 100% of the annual electric energy needs for the home.
Designed Water Efficiency Features
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
▪ H20 Protection providing PipeBurst ProTM, a web-based, automatic leak detection system minimizes water loss
▪ Natural, indigenous landscaping, with a minimum of turf grass reduces landscaping watering requirements
▪ On-site well water used for irrigation reduces potable water consumption
▪ 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
▪ 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
Systems-Engineering Approach
The systems-engineering approach unites segments of the building industry that have previously worked independently of one another. The concept is simple: systems-engineering can make America’s homes cost effective to build or retrofit and energy efficient to live in. Energy consumption of new houses can be reduced by as much as 40% with little or no impact on the cost of construction. Similar performance can be achieved in existing homes.
To reach this goal, the Studio G Architecture team are working with their building partners to produce a home that incorporates energy and material saving strategies from design through construction. First, the team analyzed and selected cost-effective strategies for improving home performance. Next, the team evaluated design, business, and construction practices within individual partnerships to identify cost savings.
Cost savings could then be reinvested to improve energy performance and product quality. For example, a design that incorporates new techniques for tightening the building envelope enabled Studio G Architecture to install smaller, less expensive heating and cooling systems. The savings generated in this process can then be reinvested in other high-performance features to further reduce energy use. Proving the efficiency of the system-engineering approach to construction, this home’s preliminary HERS Index, without the use of a Photovoltaic system is 58, which is 43% more efficient than the construction of the average new home. With the proposed PV system, the preliminary HERS Index is -15.
The “pilot” or “test” home is the field application of solution design. The team assisted Studio G Architecture in designing TNAR 2019 in accordance to strategic design, modeling to maximize building efficiency of each system and directed the team to increase efficiency through cost effective decisions. Before additional houses are built, these changes are incorporated into the design. This process of analysis, field implementation, reanalysis, and design alteration facilitate ultimate home performance once a design or retrofit strategy is ready for use in production or community-scale housing.
Understanding the interaction between each component in the home is paramount to the systems-engineering approach. Throughout design and construction, the relationship between building site, envelope, mechanical systems, and other factors is carefully considered. Recognizing that features of one component can dramatically affect the performance of others enables the Studio G’s Building team to engineer energy-saving strategies at little or no extra cost.