Builders' Show
TNAH 2026

Final Performance Report

Thermal Envelope

  • Unvented and air sealed attic with Amrize open-cell spray-foam (R-20)
  • Existing windows and doors replaced with Jeld-Wen high-efficient, low-e glass to limit solar heat gain and optimize air tightness. (Average 0.30 U-Factor, 0.21 SHGC)
  • Exterior block walls insulated with Fi-Foil M-Shield reflective wall (R-4.2)
  • Light colored exterior to assist in reflecting the
  • Aeroseal’s AeroBarrier for air sealing the home’s thermal envelope efficiently and effectively
  • Envelope leakage performance tested resulted in a 45 ACH (50).
  • Over a 100% improvement from the pre-remodeled tested envelope leakage of 14.1 ACH50.

HVAC

  • Highly Efficient AC systems by Midea (18 SEER2, 10 HSPF2 average)
  • FanTech Exhaust Fans throughout the home, including the crawl space with cross ventilation

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

As one of the NAHB’s official show homes, The New American Remodel (TNAR) 2026 is a symbol of energy efficiency and innovation. Its energy-efficient features can be used in homes in a hot, humid climate at any price point with similar energy savings. The home exhibits innovative products from manufacturers all over the world. TNAR 2026 is designed to exceed the requirements for certification to the Gold level of the National Green Building Standard™.

TWOTRAILS™ worked closely with Phil Kean Designs to ensure energy efficiency and innovation in TNAR 2026. The pre-remodel home has a projected HERS Index of 91, and with the upgrades and improvements, the confirmed, registered HERS Index after the remodel is a 49!

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 drought tolerant landscaping, and a high-efficient irrigation system. Water saving features include:

  • Kohler low-flow, EPA WaterSense certified 2 GPM lavatory faucets and an average of 1.28 GPF toilets provides indoor water use reduction.
  • High-efficient micro spray, driplines and irrigation controllers contributed to the outdoor water use

Indoor Environmental Quality Features

Indoor Environmental Quality encompasses the conditions inside a home, and their effects on residents. The New American Remodel 2026 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
  • MERV 13 space conditioning AC air
  • HVAC ducts are sealed during construction to prevent pollutants from construction activities from entering the

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 Phil Kean 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.

Proving the efficiency of the system-engineering approach to construction, the pre-remodel home has a projected HERS Index of 91, and with the upgrades and improvements, the confirmed, registered HERS Index after the remodel is a 49!

The “pilot” or “test” home is the field application of solution design. The team assisted Phil Kean Designs in designing TNAR 2026 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. 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 team to value-engineer energy-saving strategies at little or no extra cost.