IBS 2026 Exhibit Home Aims for Groundbreaking Energy-Efficiency Rating
For anyone curious about how far today’s innovative building products can take a home’s performance, The New American Home 2026 is the must-see showcase at the upcoming NAHB International Builders’ Show®, taking place Feb. 17–19.
This flagship exhibit isn’t just about bold design and luxury aesthetics — it's setting a new bar for energy efficiency, particularly for a home of its scale: over 9,200 square feet.
Thanks to a smart integration of high-performance systems and a powerful solar array, the home is projected to achieve a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index of -40. To put that into perspective. a typical new home scores around 100, while a net-zero home rates at 0. The 2026 show home far exceeds both.
While solar is a significant contributor, it’s only part of the energy equation. The home’s exceptional performance starts with its tightly sealed building envelope, made possible by integrating several of the latest energy-efficient materials.
Key efficiency-boosting products include:
- Spray foam and Fi-Foil insulation
- High-performance windows
- AeroBarrier sealant
“What we’re trying to do is make the home as energy efficient as possible before we start adding solar to the roof,” explains Drew Smith, COO of Two Trails Inc., the project’s energy consultant.
Smith compares the finished home’s air-tightness to that of an “above-ground submarine,” a playful yet telling metaphor that illustrates the team's precision-focused approach.
Earlier in the planning phase, the team anticipated a jaw-dropping -82 HERS rating, but a strategic decision to scale back the number of solar panels brought the target to a still-impressive -40 — a figure that remains far ahead of conventional homes and even many other show homes.
Check out the video below for more on the cutting-edge products and techniques used in the build.