First off apologises if this in't the correct forum for this topic, I could not find one I considered 'correct' and thus went with one I thought suitable.
So overall details, followed by my questions/issues;
I am building a Cob Shed in my garden, it is acting as a prototype design that will allow me to explore various systems designed for sustainability. One of these systems is the use of Under-Floor Heating within a Cob floor; the compost power simply refers to the method in which I am heating the water tank within the building. I am an electronics engineer so in general am pretty happy with the solar/electrical side of my designs. I am also generally good at understanding systems along with the physical builds. However I have only been developing the UFH system for a few weeks, so still gathering my information. I am hoping to access some of the potential here on the Permies forums (long time lurker).
I am torn between two methods;
Buying a prebuilt system (- So a Pump, Thermomixing valve, manifold, piping...etc) and simply installing it along with my extra sensors.Or designing my own using a pump, thermostatic mixing valve and such; except with alterations to better suit the overall building systems (DC pump - allowing varying speed as well as not being mains AC powered, stepper controlled valves - for true flow control).
My questions are to anyone with knowledge or experience with UFH systems;
Is there any good books or reference material for UFH sizing - specifically with regards to pump power Should I be concerned with the cob shrinkage as it dries, potentially crushing/restricting the pipes within?thoughts on the idea?
I intend to start working on this project this coming weekend (As in start digging my trenches for foundations), I hope to share all my work with everyone here as this forum has already been a plethora of information that has aided my designs. And finally My Name is Rob, hello Permies!
