[Strawbale] Sub Floor Radiant Heating

[Ilan Ungar]

Hello

I have been receiving the straw bale discussions for years now since I am
very interested in the issue. My wife wont let me build our house out of
straw but I am contemplating having the second floor made from SB
construction, this floor will serve me for a studio etc.

I live in Israel and loved the idea of a thick floor slab to be charged with
heat, via solar panels, during the Autumn months and radiate the heat to the
house during winter (we have plenty of sun throughout the winter as well
(with temps around 10-15C))

Recently, I have heard that sub floor radiant heating poses a problem since
it lifts the dust and raises it off the floor. Is this true? Is it serious
enough a problem to force re-consideration of the sub floor heating
solution? are there any other serious considerations with the sub floor
radiant heating system?

On the same issue, how do I determine the slab thickness (I assume this is a
function of the amount of sun I receive during the heating season) and, how
feasible is it to have the compacted soil, under the slab, function as part
of the heat sink (with insulation around the perimeter of the slab)

Thanks, Ilan.