Orlando, FL – The NAHB 2017 International Builders Show held in Orlando, FL at the Orlando 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 one builder Phil Kean Designs, did not only build just one new home in 10 months, but also built a second remodeled home in the same time frame for the International Builders show. During the show duration the homes are expected to be viewed by over 7,000 show patrons in 3 days.
Two Trails was also chosen for the seventh year in a row to be the Sustainability Building Consultants and Verifiers for The NAHB 2017 New American Home and Remodeled Home. Two Trails has also been chosen to be on The 2018 New American Home project team. The New American Home 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. Its 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.
The Homes’ Design/Build Team, Phil Kean Designs, introduced many unique and cutting edge design elements while keeping in mind the importance of incorporating sustainable building techniques. With the advisement of Two Trails the home was able to achieve multiple sustainable building certifications. “The NAHB Leading Suppliers Council put together a great design/build team and suppliers to build a remarkable home this year!” stated Drew Smith COO of Two Trails Inc.
Energy Efficiency and Innovation
As the NAHB’s official show home, The New American Home is a symbol of energy efficiency and innovation. The home exhibits cutting-edge products from manufacturers all over the world
The New American Home (TNAH) and The New American Remodeled Home (TNARH) 2017 (TNAH) is designed to exceed the requirements for certification to the Emerald level of the National Green Building Standard™. Their energy-efficient features can be used in homes in a hot-humid climate at any price point with similar energy savings. The homes are also targeted to be certified with the EPA Energy Star program as well as the Indoor airPLUS program. The New American Remodeled Home will be a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home.
Two Trails, Inc. worked closely with NCHI to ensure energy efficiency and innovation in TNAH 2017. This home boasts a confirmed HERS Index of 0! It is expected to consume 122% less energy than if it were built to code (2009 IECC), and is expected to be 100% more efficient than the average new code-built home. At this level of energy efficiency, the home is designed to provide over $5,497 in annual energy savings to the homeowner. TNARH 2017 boasts a confirmed HERS Index of 45! It is expected to 55% more efficient than the average new code-built home. At this level of energy efficiency, the home is designed to provide over $1,567 in annual energy savings to the homeowner.
Key Energy Features
The New American Home 2017 achieves a very high level of energy efficiency. The most noteworthy features of TNAH 2017 include the air tightness of its thermal shell and the use of solar energy. The home uses solar energy to power a portion of its electrical systems, space conditioning and hot water systems. The 17.1 kW Photovoltaic (PV) system will provide approximately 100% of the annual electric energy needs for the home. A synchronized system of nine (9) Bosch natural propane-fueled tankless water heaters satisfies all the hot water needs.
The New American Remodeled Home 2017 most noteworthy features of TNARH 2017 include the air tightness of its thermal shell. Under blower door testing, the thermal shell achieves 3.29 air changes at 50 Pa, an amount that is considered very airtight and keeps unwanted outdoor dry air from entering the home.
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 Phil Kean Designs Building team worked with their building partners to produce a two homes that incorporates energy and material saving strategies from design through construction. First, the team analyzed and selected cost-effective strategies for improving the homes 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 Phil Kean Designs 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 HERS Index, without the use of the Photovoltaic system is 54, which is 46% more efficient than the construction of the average new home.
The “pilot” or “test” homes are the field application of solution design. The team assisted Phil Kean Designs in building TNAH 2017 and TNARH 2017 projects according to strategic design, then tested each system for efficiency and made any necessary changes to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness. Before additional houses are built, these changes are incorporated into the design. This process of analysis, field implementation, reanalysis, and design alteration facilitates 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 Phil Kean Designs Building team to engineer energy-saving strategies at little or no extra cost.
The New American Home 2017 Features
Thermal Shell
-Unvented and air sealed attic with average R-21 Icynene.
-Windor windows and patio doors with low-e coating and argon gas fill to limit solar heat gain air tightness
-Openings and penetrations sealed to achieve 4.73 natural air changes under blower door testing at 50 Pa
-cfiFoam core filled CMU with Fi Foil and 3/4” unfaced extruded polystyrene foam board wall insulation system on exterior masonry walls (R16.2)
-Large overhangs to aid in protecting the home from the harsh Florida sun
-Energy Star rated roof to aid in keeping the home cool
-Light colored exterior to assist in reflecting the sun
HVAC
-Space conditioning provided by Trane XV20I Variable Speed 19 – 19.25 SEER
-Variable speed compressors in outdoor heat pump units adds efficiency and quietness
-Mechanical ventilation provided by Honeywell DR90 Ventilating Dehumidification System
-Space conditioning system located entirely within conditioned space
Hot Water
-Propane-fueled Bosch tankless water heaters (EF = 0.95) provides the hot water
Electrical
-100% of all interior and exterior lamps are energy-efficient LED lighting
-ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances, including dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, and clothes washers
-17.1 kW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system
The New American Remodeled Home 2017 Features
Thermal Shell
-Unvented and air sealed attic with average R-20 Icynene Open-Cell Spray Foam System
-Ply-Gem windows and patio doors with low-e coating and argon gas fill to limit solar heat gain air tightness
-Openings and penetrations sealed to achieve 3.29 natural air changes under blower door testing at 50 Pa
-Core-Fill 500 and Fi-Foil M-Shield wall insulation system on exterior masonry walls (R-13.2)
-Large overhangs to aid in protecting the home from the harsh Florida sun
-Energy Star rated Boral Concrete Roof Tile roof to aid in keeping the home cool
-White colored exterior to assist in reflecting the sun
HVAC
-Space conditioning is provided by Lennox XP21Variable Speed 16.5 - 18 SEER Heat Pumps
-Variable speed compressors in outdoor heat pump units adds efficiency and quietness
-Mechanical ventilation provided by Honeywell Automated Damper System
-Space conditioning system located entirely within conditioned spac
Hot Water
-Propane Bosch tankless water heaters (EF = 0.95) provides the hot water
Electrical
-100% of all interior and exterior lamps are energy-efficient LED lighting
-ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances, including dishwasher, refrigerator, freezer, and clothes washers
ABOUT TWO TRAILS, INC. | Two Trails, Inc. is a National Sustainable Building Consulting firm established in 2001 with offices in Florida, Nevada and Illinois. We provide sustainable consulting services nationwide for Commercial, Government, Commissioning, Multi-Family, Residential and looking to obtain LEED USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, Energy Star, & Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) certifications.
Our COO, Drew M. Smith, LEED AP, was the founding President of the Florida Green Building Coalition and is the first Governor appointed Green Building Commissioner for the State of Florida. Two Trails, Inc. provides hands-on consulting making it easy to achieve certification.
Photo Credit: Jeff Davis Photography