Hi all! I'm building a new home and would like to incorporate solar and geothermal. As for the geothermal, I have a few questions. -I'll be drilling a new well on my property for water, can this same well be used for the geothermal system if I were to do an open loop? -I understand that geothermal cools with forced air, but you can have it heat with either forced air OR radiant heat. What are the major pros/cons with each heating type? Any contractors I talk to tend to do either-or, and of course whichever they do is the best :). -Are there any risks associated with the radiant heating as far as a flooding? -What are the best brands/systems to use as far as overall quality, efficiency & warranty? Again, contractors I've spoken with are biased to what they sell. THANK YOU!!! Gary

If you are building new and are not stuck in a spec home and have flexibility, either radiant or forced air will work if you design to it. Geothermal efficiency at hot water really drops off at higher temperatures (120-130). As long as you are designing with limitations in mind, you'll be fine.

My $0.02 is if you will have the cooling system ducted in, might as well reuse the same infrastructure for heating. Others may disagree. Many like the comfort value of radiant heat floors. I'd think you much better off turning the budget from radiant heat systems toward air sealing and enhanced insulation to get better payback.

Open loop vs. closed loop? Most systems now are closed loop. Some regional differences based on regulations and water hydrology. Let folks know where you are, answer some of the questions found in the sticky at the top of the forum and you will get lots of opinion and advice more tailored to your situation and will possibly find a designer to assist.

"Again, contractors I've spoken with are biased to what they sell."

Well said! - We certainly are!

We furnish and install what we have found works best for our clients. Cost, efficiency, reliability and manufacturer / distributor support all factor into an individual contractor's determination of what brands / methods "work best".

If you embark upon your project steeped in the premise that all contractors are out to screw you it will be a hard row to hoe. If you project that presumption during early contacts with prospective bidders the astute among them (equipped with well-honed "potentially difficult customer dead ahead!" collision avoidance radar) will be very slow to return your calls and bid your project.

A vital skill of successful contracting is to identify and disengage high risk / low reward persons and projects; "Let someone else die taking that hill"

Worry less about brands and methods and more about identifying a contractor whose experience and integrity you trust, then leave brands and methods up to him / her.

Best of luck to you - don't be that hill!

I'll echo what Curt said about contractor bias. We tend to sell what we think serves our customer best.
I am not a one solution dealer so I'll tell folks I have no "geo ego". However it does have advantages on a new build (tax credit).

Folks like radiant heating, however many get sticker shock. The same geo unit can accomodate both either with a water to water geo with a hydronic fan coil or a hybrid unit.

Yes you can use the same well for household water and geo, but you must research local regulations and would want to consider a variable flow pump as the geo may use 1 million gallons a year. Water quality also matters.

good luck