Ok, which is better? I've heard all the benefits of decreased cost with geothermal. I've gotten all the propaganda shown to me. What are geo's drawbacks? I have heard some horror stories like closed loop lines that fail and are not covered under warranty, effectively negating the initial savings and costing a lot to fix. I've heard from one guy whose pump failed and had to send the entire unit back for repair.

We live in northern Iowa. Theoretically, incoming groundwater temp should be 50-55 degrees. However, I did visit a home whose incoming temp in March was 45 degrees, requring the fan to run continuously. Perhaps his lines weren't deep enough? He had a horizontal loop system.

Our lot is sufficiently large to do vertical or horizontal loops (2.7 acres).

Any advice out there?

Geoexchange is the current terminology for 'geothermal' and you can see a good source for answers here:

http://www.geoexchange.org/

Geoexchnage and forced air are not mutually exclusive since many geoexchange systems use electric heat pumps or require forced air to circulate geoexchnage energy.

While there are many types of geoexchange systems, those that use groundwater, lake or pond water, or ambient ground temperature do better than air exchangers...but all do well compared to conevntioanl heating and cooling sources.

The main drawback of geoexchnage is the intial cost which can be prohibitive to some.

Otherwise the cost to maintain a geoexchange system should not vary any more than the regular maintenance one would perform on a conventional furnace or boiler.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: homebild,

Geothermal can be excellent, along with cheap heating and air you get free hot water. The main draw back is the initial cost. I you go with a company that has been around long enough most of the bugs have been worked out already. If you want to save cost yet get the efficiency look into a dual fuel system with variable speed fans and compressors. The high efficiency gas furnace comes on below 36 degrees, above that you use the heat pump. Less expensive up front and cheap to operate. Most of it depends n the type of structure that you build. (airtight envelope). If you build a swiss cheese house, you are throwing you money away on a good system.

We have many GEO phone calls ,but due to LOOP costs it really costs alot GREEN TO BE GREEN,the ones that install them love them. Sadly more homes that are large are doing them,due to the lack of outdoor units. In larger homes with the design,they do not have alot places to hide the compressors.