Preliminary Performance Report

Proposed Thermal Envelope

• Unvented and air sealed attic insulated with open-cell spray-foam insulation (R-21).
• Windows and doors with low-e coating, argon gas fill limits solar heat gain and optimizes air tightness. (U-factor 0.36 and SHGC of 0.23 average)
• Exterior frame wall cavities insulated (R-19).
• Overhangs to aid in protecting the home from the harsh Nevada sun.
• Light colored exterior to assist in reflecting the sun.
• Air infiltration performance to be tested on-site and targeted at less than 3 ACH(50).
• A proposed 100% improvement over the pre-remodeled tested envelope leakage of 8.99 ACH50.

Proposed HVAC

• Midea EVOX G3 Extreme Heat AHU with electric inverter-driven heat pump technology (17.5 SEER2, 9.5 HSPF2)
• Fantech Mechanical Ventilation

Proposed Water Heaters

• Rinnai ENERGY STAR®-rated tankless water heaters (0.98 UEF)

Electrical

• 100% energy-efficient interior and decorative LED lighting by Coleto Brands: Progress Lighting & Kichler.
• GE ENERGY STAR®-rated
• Pentair ENERGY STAR®-rated variable speed pool

Energy Efficiency and Innovation

The New American Remodel (TNAR) 2027 serves as an official NAHB showcase home and flagship exhibit at the annual International Builders Show (IBS). By showcasing real-world applications of next-generation building science, TNAR 2027 sets the standard for what’s possible in energy-efficient, sustainable home remodels. TWOTRAILS® – High Performance Building Consultants collaborated closely with Primaris Custom Homes to deliver outstanding efficiency and forward-thinking design throughout TNAR 2027.

TWOTRAILS® worked closely with Primaris Custom Homes to ensure energy efficiency and innovation in TNAR 2027. The pre-remodel home has a projected HERS Index of 94, and with the proposed upgrades and improvements, the projected HERS Index after the remodel is a 55!

TNAR 2027 is designed to exceed the requirements for certification to Gold of the National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS). The home’s comprehensive approach integrates advanced building science, renewable energy systems, and sustainable materials to achieve superior environmental and performance metrics.

Proposed Water Efficiency Features

In addition to energy savings, this home is designed to achieve an estimated 50% reduction from baseline in water use. This remarkable water use reduction is made possible using low-flow water fixtures, natural indigenous landscaping, 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 provides indoor water use reduction.
• High-efficient irrigation micro-sprays, driplines and controllers contributed to the reduction of outdoor water use.

Proposed Indoor Environmental Quality Features

Indoor Environmental Quality encompasses the conditions inside a home, and their effects on residents. The New American Remodel 2027 incorporates 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 AC air filters.
• HVAC ducts are sealed during construction to prevent pollutants from construction activities from entering the system.
• Formaldehyde free, Eco-Friendly cabinets.

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.

To reach this goal, the Primaris Custom Homes team is 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 improving the building envelope by decreasing the amount of air infiltration or increasing the thermal resistance (R-Value) of the insulation could enable a builder 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 and increase indoor air quality.

The “pilot” or “test” home is the field application of solution design. The team assisted Primaris Custom Homes in designing TNAR 2027 in accordance with 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 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. Through design and construction, the relationship between building site, envelope, mechanical systems, and other factors are carefully considered. Recognizing that features of one component can dramatically affect the performance of others enables the Primaris Custom Homes team to value-engineer energy-saving strategies at little or no extra cost.