Geothermal is very efficient - likely one of the best options out there. It must be evaluated on a case by case basis however.
I personally would not rely on relatively shallow (less than 100 ft) ground water sources for open loop systems as there's a good possibility you'll run the well dry / have it collapse in on itself and experience massive sand saturation. I also don't think closed loops are any where near as effective as open loops and have personal experience with both architectures.
In one of my homes (Virginia / North Carolina border) I'm using a GEOSTAR 121-060TR114N00A0 five ton unit -- open loop: approx (constant) 55deg water is pulled from one of the wells on the farm (@ aquifer) , sent to the unit, then discharged into a 1.5 acre pond -- system is unbelievably efficient and I DIY'd the runs from the well and to the pond -- cost was a trencher rental and the lines. Approx $17K invested and medium payback.
In my other home (PA) I'm doing everything from scratch -- including the site work (pond construction) and new well. The well drilling alone will cost $7500 (aquifer is deeper than 100ft) so the whole system (Bosch System formerly Florida Heat Pump) will be approx $25K and a considerably longer payback.
I personally would not rely on relatively shallow (less than 100 ft) ground water sources for open loop systems as there's a good possibility you'll run the well dry / have it collapse in on itself and experience massive sand saturation. I also don't think closed loops are any where near as effective as open loops and have personal experience with both architectures.
In one of my homes (Virginia / North Carolina border) I'm using a GEOSTAR 121-060TR114N00A0 five ton unit -- open loop: approx (constant) 55deg water is pulled from one of the wells on the farm (@ aquifer) , sent to the unit, then discharged into a 1.5 acre pond -- system is unbelievably efficient and I DIY'd the runs from the well and to the pond -- cost was a trencher rental and the lines. Approx $17K invested and medium payback.
In my other home (PA) I'm doing everything from scratch -- including the site work (pond construction) and new well. The well drilling alone will cost $7500 (aquifer is deeper than 100ft) so the whole system (Bosch System formerly Florida Heat Pump) will be approx $25K and a considerably longer payback.
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