Houses to aid students, research

Dirt and dust blow around Kevin Murray, junior construction management major, as work continues on the two new research homes on the corner of Campus Drive and Patriot Avenue.

Photo illustration by Seth Hoar

The long process of building the two houses is beginning to wrap up while Murray directs the completion of the home’s interior design.

Students will be able to use the two homes to study the effects energy efficiency methods have on households.

“The whole project is funded by the Emerging Technology Fund out of the Governor’s Office and that’s all about investing in technology and demonstrations that help create jobs,” said Anwar Khalifa, owner of Pyramid Homes, the company overseeing the construction.

The two homes, designed by Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment, and Energy Institute (TxAIRE), is a chance for both TxAIRE and University students to work together in hopes of finding more energy friendly methods of construction and quality of life.

“We’ve had maybe 20 other students in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering working on various senior design projects, some of which will wind up being in the houses,” Kalifa said.

Dr. Roy Crawford, director of research and technology development at TxAIRE, said the homes mixed different energy efficiency methods, such as lighter shingling for the roof, different amounts and types of insulation and varied framework.

Methods have been divided with “House One,” located next to Patriot Avenue, having been built conventionally with minor energy efficient changes, making it 50 percent more energy efficient than normal homes.

“House Two” was built with the best available products, which could result in net zero energy consumption, Crawford said.

That means the home is capable of generating more energy than it consumes. “House One” has two heat-pump water heaters, a new product donated by Rheem, a heating and cooling company.

The water heaters take heat from the surrounding air to heat the household water. “It’s much more efficient than a conventional electric water heater, more than twice as efficient,” Crawford said.

One water heater is installed in the attic, and the second one is in the house so researchers can evaluate the benefits of each locations. Crawford said the heater in the attic should work better during hot weather, while the heater in the home should work well during the colder months.

Murray said that “House Two’s” framing work differed substantially from “House One” using 13 percent less lumber.

“So not only does advanced framing require less lumber but also allows for a tighter sealed building envelope and higher insulating properties when used in conjunction with spray foam insulation,” he said. “These two factors of sustainability and energy efficiency are crucial if construction is to remain a thriving industry.”

The houses have been designed as test facilities for developing and demonstrating new technologies related to energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable construction materials.

Throughout the next few years, Crawford said students and TxAIRE will watch the homes for “valuable insights into both performance and the economics of the technology.”

Crawford said over time the research should help developers, construction companies and home-buyers make more energy efficient decisions.

For University students, it’s a chance for hands-on career experience.

“The TxAIRE project has given me hands on experience in understanding the importance of these two factors and how to implement them in my future career as a construction manager,” Murray said.

The houses are located on campus, across the street from The Fine Arts Complex.

TxAIRE was started to research and demonstrate more energy effcient products and building techniques, according to the release.

For more details on the houses and construction visit: www.uttyler.edu/txaire/technology/houses/specs.