The Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment,and Energy (TxAIRE) Institute

News and Updates

Solar Photovoltaic Array Installed

Nov 8, 2011

A 7.8 kW solar photovoltaic array has been recently installed on site.  This array will provide electricity to House 2 when the sun shines with any excess capacity being sold back to the electrical utility provider.  It is sufficiently large to provide a "Net-Zero Energy" rating to House 2, which means that it would have no annual electrical bill if used as a conventional house with typical occupancy behavior.  The system was designed by Rudy Wright of Wright-Way Solar Power of Tyler, who also supervised the installation.  Students and staff from the University assisted with the installation.

Final Grading on TxAIRE Homes Complete

Oct 31, 2011

The final grading is complete on the TxAIRE Houses, which are now ready for landscaping.  The interior on both homes are nearing completion, and will soon be ready for the installation of the remaining research equipment.

Houses to Aid Students, Research

Sep 13, 2011

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.
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. [More]

TxAIRE: Clearing the Air

As we increase the energy efficiency of our buildings, we also increase the risk of poor indoor air quality.  Improvements in building envelope design have dramatically decreased air infiltration through ceilings, walls, windows and doors.  But the reduction in air leakage has also reduced the dilution of indoor air contaminants, often resulting in contaminant levels capable of affecting human health.  As our buildings get “smarter” they have the ability to adjust to not only differences between indoor and outdoor air temperature and humidity, but also air quality.   Tomorrow’s buildings will be smart enough to know when to breathe in and out, and when to hold their breath.  By so doing, we can optimize both energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

As our name implies, the Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment, and Energy Institute (TxAIRE) focuses upon technology development and new product demonstrations that will simultaneously improve the energy efficiency of buildings and the quality of their indoor environments.   As you travel through our new website, you will find descriptions of our research projects, information on high-performance building design, and sections that discuss the human health implications of poor air quality.  Over time we hope to make this site an important resource of information for builders, home owners and the indoor air quality community.

Breathe Well!

John J. Vasselli  
Executive Director
TxAIRE