Icynene - Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient

Model of Energy Savings

Synopsis

  • 70% less energy needed for heating
  • 61% less energy needed for cooling

Carrying forward the yearly tradition, The National Association of Home Builder’s New American Home® (TNAH) 2009 demonstrates the use of innovative building materials, modern design, and the newest home construction techniques. TNAH® provides homebuilders with a cutting edge example of how to produce energy efficient, durable homes without sacrificing style. Built on a half-acre lot in an established Las Vegas neighborhood, TNAH® 2009 attracted over 60,0001 visitors at the International Builders’ Show, acting as an educational tool that demonstrates how the near-zero-energy home was constructed.

An example of contemporary desert architecture, the home has 8,721 square feet of living space. The project is a collaborative effort between Danielian Associates architects and builder Blue Heron.

Front view of The New American Home 2009

Objective

  • Build a high-profile show home for the International Builders’ Show by implementing Building America strategies to conserve energy and materials
  • Introduce production builders to advanced HVAC strategies and advanced spray insulation and airtightness details
  • Meet or exceed the requirements for NAHB Model Green Home Guidelines and improve the U.S. Department of Energy’s research toward zero energy homes

Rear view of The New American Home 2009

Solution

The three-story home is conditioned using a gas-engine heat pump and zonal air distribution system. State-of-the-art green building technology such as photovoltaic cells, a gas-powered mechanical HVAC system along with insulating a house with Icynene® spray insulation help create an energy efficient building envelope.

Most exterior walls and basement foundation walls were constructed using an insulated concrete form system (R-21.7). The attic was air-sealed with Icynene® spray insulation to create an unvented and indirectly conditioned space. Sprayed directly on the underside of the roof deck at 5.5 inches, Icynene® spray insulation significantly minimized the intrusion of warm exterior air from entering the attic and condensing on cooled, attic-located ductwork. This application also improved the performance of the HVAC system, significantly reducing energy costs.

Icynene spray foam insulation installed in the attic of The New American Home 2009 - click on the image for an expanded view.

Results

Total utility costs for the 8,721 square foot house, which include electricity and natural gas usage, are expected to be about $2,500 per year (plus service charges).2 Overall, the home uses approximately 70% less energy for heating and 61% less energy for cooling when compared to a similar home.3

With its unique air-sealing properties, Icynene® spray insulation helped TNAH® meet energy saving targets. Air leakage tests conducted on the home achieved 0.21 ACHnat.4  Icynene® also helped the home achieve a Five Star-Plus HERS index of 57, making the home 43% more efficient than the HERS Reference Home (based on the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code).

The New American Home® 2009 has been certified by the NAHB Research Center to be in substantial conformance with the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and is a Gold Level Green Home.

Sources:

1The New American Home® 2009 Wows Crowds During International Builders’ Show
http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=8531

2Building America. U.S. Department of Energy Research Toward Zero Energy Homes
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/44535.pdf

3Building America. U.S. Department of Energy Research Toward Zero Energy Homes
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/44535.pdf

4Building America. U.S. Department of Energy Research Toward Zero Energy Homes
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/44535.pdf

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