I’m having drawings done to build a small A-frame SIP house with around 1200 sq/ft.  The house will be located in the country on seven acres near Marianna, Florida.  I initially thought having geothermal would be ideal but now I am having second thoughts.  With such a small project would there be much difference in my heating and cooling cost.  My only energy sources are electricity or propane.  I also have a lot of wood and plan a wood burning stove for the colder nights.

 

Basically it just seems like a lot of expense to save a little electricity.  I do believe that electricity prices will double or triple if we keep on our current path.  

 

Please help me decide what is best under these conditions.  Any advice is welcome.

 

Have you or anyone else performed a load calculation? Depending largely upon window exposure and performance coefficients, the load could come in at or below 1 ton. Such a low load might best met using a minisplit heat pump.

The $ difference between a geo system and a minisplit might go toward a photovoltaic system able to offset some or all of the home's total electricity use

If system must be ducted geo may have a slight advantage due to the tax credits. Aside from that I think Curt offers good advice.
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