This area, under the main living portion of our home, has been the subject of much speculation, study, calculation and discussion of late. Although it was designed to store extra summer heat in sand the math isn't necessarily supporting the project. Brad and his dad, Barry, have been the mad scientists as they calculate one assumption after another in solar heat generation, heat storage, heat loss, winter temperatures, summer temperatures
, conductivity, and so on. The system, although used in the past, has not been well documented so the science is sketchy and without reliable data, very experimental. To make matters even more complex, the margins in a small, efficient house are so low that it's difficult to justify the cost. The discussions have been creative and lively, spinning around using metal instead of sand in the heat storage area (such as squashed, recycled automobiles), large stones rather than sand, phase change salts, bundles of re-bar, or water tanks. At this point, we're going back to the simplest system of using solar heated sand stored under the slab. It's been fun following the discussion with our consultants, Barry and Brad as they mix it up with their combined math, engineering, architectural and science knowledge. This whole issue must be resolved before we proceed but the resolution is close at hand.
, conductivity, and so on. The system, although used in the past, has not been well documented so the science is sketchy and without reliable data, very experimental. To make matters even more complex, the margins in a small, efficient house are so low that it's difficult to justify the cost. The discussions have been creative and lively, spinning around using metal instead of sand in the heat storage area (such as squashed, recycled automobiles), large stones rather than sand, phase change salts, bundles of re-bar, or water tanks. At this point, we're going back to the simplest system of using solar heated sand stored under the slab. It's been fun following the discussion with our consultants, Barry and Brad as they mix it up with their combined math, engineering, architectural and science knowledge. This whole issue must be resolved before we proceed but the resolution is close at hand. 
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