LAS VEGAS—Each year The New American Home® (TNAH) demonstrates that superior housing performance can be built into any house, anywhere, at any price range.  And each year for the past five, concrete wall systems have provided the energy-efficient building envelope for this high-performing official Show Home of the National Association of Home Builders.

This year’s home, which debuts at the International Builders' Show® in Las Vegas, Jan. 20-23, 2009, again showcases the exceptional savings concrete systems provide homebuilders and homeowners.  The exterior structural walls and basement foundation walls are built with insulating concrete forms (ICFs), which sandwich concrete between two insulating layers of foam.

In addition to the high R-valued derived from the foam, insulation, the thermal mass of the concrete walls helps the home achieve its high level of energy efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program estimates the home uses approximately 70 percent less energy for heating and 61 percent less energy for cooling than a comparably sized wood frame home in a similar climate.

That level far exceeds the ENERGY STAR requirement of being at least 15 percent more energy efficient than a typical home. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy designed to save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.  The home is also applying for Emerald status under the newly established NAHB Green Building Standard.

“The airtight exterior walls that were created by using ICF technology were a big factor in the home achieving such a high energy efficiency rating,” said Brian McCarthy, PCA president and CEO. “The continual, solid walls eliminate ‘cold spots’ found in traditionally framed homes that can cause air loss.  The thermal mass means heat is absorbed during the day and released slowly at night when it is needed more.”

Concrete systems and products provide the home with other environmental and comfort benefits.  Concrete walls are resistant to termites, fires, wind, hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters.  Especially important for this home are the excellent soundproofing qualities of concrete.  The home is located just five minutes from the McCarran International Airport.   

“Concrete walls can reduce sound penetration by more than 80 percent, compared to wood-frame construction,” said McCarthy. “The walls and the other concrete products in the home such as cultured stone and polished concrete floors create a home that is as beautiful as it is efficient.”

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.

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Editor’s Note:  Images of The New American Home 2009 are available at: http://www.cement.org/newsroom/TNAH2009/IBS2009_Index.htm