IBS 2027 Show Home Pursues Ambitious Performance Goals

Performance is playing a central role in the construction of The New American Home 2027, the flagship exhibit of the upcoming International Builders’ Show. From the building envelope to the mechanical systems and solar installation, the project has been designed with lofty energy-efficiency targets in mind.

The team is pursuing Emerald certification through the National Green Building Standard (NGBS), the program’s highest certification level. The home is also designed with the potential to achieve a HERS Index in the -20 to -30 range, according to Drew Smith of Two Trails, Inc., who is overseeing the home’s performance certification.

The eventual HERS rating will depend on the completed performance of the home’s mechanical systems and solar array. More than 200 solar panels are planned for installation, making renewable energy a major component of the home’s overall strategy.

Performance Begins with the Building Envelope

The home efficiency plan isn’t limited to the equipment installed after construction. Much of the performance-enhancing work is happening inside the walls and throughout the building envelope.

The walls on the project use a combination of closed-cell spray foam with blown cellulose to fill the balance of the cavity. The spray foam provides superior insulation levels, airtightness and added structural benefits, while the cellulose fills out the space, controlling further heat transfer as well as sound transmission.

The insulation at the underside of the roof deck is air impermeable, open-cell spray foam, covering all of the top chords with a layer of thermal protection, providing a semi-conditioned space to minimize stress on the HVAC system while minimizing heat transfer through the roof and framing.

Balancing Act of Multiple Trades

The home’s performance goals require more than specialized products and construction techniques. They also depend on careful coordination of the multiple tradesmen working long hours.

With several phases of construction happening simultaneously, as many as seven trades can be working on the project at the same time. Scheduling and communication are critical to keeping the project on track within an aggressive schedule.

Experience The New American Home First Hand

When completed, The New American Home 2027 will showcase a range of approaches builders can use to improve residential energy performance, from advanced insulation and air-sealing strategies to high-efficiency mechanical systems and renewable energy.

As one of the two official show homes at IBS 2027, the home will be open for tours to registered attendees of the Builders’ Show. Attendees who register in September can also secure the best available pricing on an Expo or Expo+Education Pass.

Get a sneak peek of the home as it continues to take shape in the following video: