Builders' Show
TNAR 2026

Preliminary Performance Report

Proposed Thermal Envelope

  • Unvented and air sealed attic with open-cell spray-foam insulation from Enverge/Holcim and tapered exterior roof deck (R-40)
  • Euro-Wall windows and doors with low-e coating limits solar heat gain and optimizes air tightness (U-factor average of 0.48 and SHGC average of 0.24).
  • Exterior frame walls cavities insulated with open-cell spray-foam insulation by Enverge/Holcim (R-14.8) and FI-FOIL® VR Plus (R-7.1) Multi- Layer Reflective Insulation (Total R-22.31).
  • Aeroseal’s AeroBarrier for air sealing the home’s thermal envelope efficiently and
  • Light colored exterior to assist in reflecting the
  • Air infiltration performance to be tested on-site and projected at less than 3 ACH(50)..

Proposed HVAC

  • LG’s Multi-V, Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System provides space
  • Mechanical ventilation provided by Broan- NuTone AI
  • 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 water

Proposed Electrical

Proposed Solar Array

Energy Efficiency and Innovation

As one of the NAHB’s official show homes, The New American Home (TNAH) 2026 is a symbol of energy efficiency and innovation. Its energy-efficient features can be used in homes in a hot climate at any price point with similar energy savings. The home exhibits innovative products from manufacturers all over the world. TNAH 2026 is designed to exceed the requirements for certification to the Emerald level of the National Green Building Standard™. The home is also projected to earn the EPA ENERGY STAR® for Homes and the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS certifications.

TWOTRAILS™ worked closely with Alair Homes to ensure energy efficiency and innovation in TNAH 2026. Without the solar array, this home has a projected HERS Index of 64, it is designed to be 32% more efficient than the average new code-built home. The home has proposed to incorporate a 63 kW Solar Power array to power its electrical systems. The preliminary energy modeled HERS Index with Solar PV is a -87!

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 Home 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
  • Whole Building ventilation system configured to allow the correct amount of fresh air into the
  • Eco-Friendly cabinets – Formaldehyde free and material certified by the Forest Stewardship

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 Alair 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 tightening the building envelope enabled Alair Homes to install smaller, more efficient heating and cooling systems. The savings generated in this process can then be reinvested in other high-performance features to further reduce energy use.

Proving the efficiency of the system-engineering approach to construction, this home’s projected HERS Index, without the use of a Photovoltaic system is 64, which is 32% more efficient than the construction of the average new home. The projected HERS Index with Solar PV is a -87!