looking at a geo system, got a good quote on a system based on comfortaire equipment.  installers also did a quote using water furnance, and wanted some opinions on how much i will lose in efficiency by saving about 5k on using comfortaire instead of water furnance. will be a closed loop horizontal, the loop will be done by one of the best in the area, he's been doing geo loops for 20 years. the comfortaire has a variable speed blower, but does not have a two stage compressor.  I live in maryland, and heating is more dominant for cost, the only energy utility i can get is electric

thanks for the replies

Heat Controller is a good product. It is manufactured by Climatemaster. You may want to request their GeoMax 2 version however if you want the 2 stage capablilities. The units are equivalent to the Tranquility 27. Efficencies are higher and the units are very quiet. We've been installing loops for quite a few of these systems recently and I have one heating my own house currently.

Dan
Colorado Geothermal Drilling

I have to wonder why the WF is $5k more. Is that the whole story?

I wondered the same thing.   $5k more for WF  seems a little out of whack.  My experience is that WF units are about $1500 more.

Heat controller actually has longer part warranty than CM, isn't quite as pretty, has slightly different controls and a standard (powder coat) finish and filter. They will also sell to anyone.
Many dealers will sell a low ball unit for much less than the cost difference of their flagship (if you have a modest budget and want geo we can get you into it for....... but if you really want the best....). Heat controller does have the (CM) two stage unit designed by defecting WF engineers so ask them for that one for the $1,500 or so price difference if you like. I will say that some homes in MI do not benefit much from 2 stage units.
Good luck,
Joe