Preliminary Performance Report
Proposed Thermal Envelope
▪ Unvented and air sealed attic with LP TechShield Radiant Barrier roof sheathing, insulated with BASF open-cell sprayfoam insulation (R-21).
▪ Western 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 2×6 frame wall cavities insulated with 1 inch BASF WALLTILE® RSB Closed-Cell Medium Density Spray
Polyurethane Foam (R-7.6 per inch) and cavity filled with 4 inches of Greenfiber® Sanctuary® Blow-In Cellulose Insulation
(R-3.7 per inch) (Total R-22.4).
▪ Fox Blocks Insulated Concrete Forms (R-23) utilized for below grade walls.
▪ 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 projected at less than 3 ACH(50
Proposed HVAC
▪ RUDD Endeavor™ Line Prestige® Series Universal Heat Pumps (18 SEER2 / 9 HSPF2 average)
▪ Panasonic WhisperCeiling™ Ventilating Fans and BalancedHome® ERVs.
▪ Space conditioning system to be located entirely within the conditioned space, minimizing any conditioned air leaking to
the exterior.
Proposed Water Heaters
- Rinnai ENERGY STAR®-rated tankless gas water heaters.
Proposed Electrical
▪ 100% energy-efficient interior and decorative LED lighting by Visual Comfort.
▪ Gaggenau ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances.
▪ Pentair ENERGY STAR®-rated variable speed pool pumps and heaters.
▪ Generac Power Systems Generators
Proposed Solar Array
- 79.69 kW Solar PV system by Sol-Up Solar utilizing 207 Meyer Burger Black 385-watt solar panels with the SolarEdge
Home Hub Inverters, pending system sizing approval by NV Energy.
Energy Efficiency and Innovation
The New American Home (TNAH) 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, TNAH 2027 sets
the standard for what’s possible in energy-efficient, sustainable home construction. Its high-performance features demonstrate
that exceptional energy savings are achievable in hot climates across a wide range of home price points. TWOTRAILS® – High
Performance Building Consultants collaborated closely with Blue Heron Homes to deliver outstanding efficiency and forwardthinking design throughout TNAH 2027.
This home’s projected HERS Index, without the use of a Photovoltaic system is 54, which is 46% more efficient than the RESNET
Reference Home Baseline. The projected HERS Index with the proposed 79.69 kW Solar PV System is a -156! A -156 rating
indicates the home produces significantly more energy than it consumes on an annual basis. In practical terms, this home
potentially produces enough excess renewable energy to charge nighttime use, whole home batteries or export power back to
the grid, significantly offsetting utility costs and potentially generating credits or income through net metering programs.
TNAH 2027 is designed to exceed the requirements for certification to Emerald, the highest level 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 an average of 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.
▪ EWS Whole Home Water Filtration System
Proposed Indoor Environmental Quality Features
Indoor Environmental Quality encompasses the conditions inside a home, and their effects on residents. The New American
Home 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.
▪ Whole Building ventilation system configured to allow the correct amount of fresh air into the home.
▪ 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 Blue Heron 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 Blue Heron in designing TNAH 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.
Throughout 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 Blue Heron team to value-engineer energy-saving strategies at little or no extra cost