Product and technology developer TIAX was selected by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to investigate new procedures to improve utility systems in an effort to make housing costs more affordable.

TIAX has recently worked with American Water Heater, Armstrong, Maytag and Whirlpool in the area of building systems and appliances, and will draw from those experiences to improve the home building process.

President and founder of TIAX, Kenan Sahin, said in a company release, “By identifying methods to both simplify the integration of home systems and prevent the entangling of utilities, the construction process can be less cumbersome and more efficient, and, in the long run, will reduce the sizeable costs absorbed by homeowners.”

TIAX will work in conjunction with HUD, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as with other organizations during the 12-month project. An advisory team of developers, builders and trade representatives will provide feedback on TIAX's recommendations.