I am very fortunate to have a "connection" in this area. 25+ years of experience and he works out of his house so no big "shop in the city" overhead. That price would not include an HRV. No need to question the equipment with him. He warranties everything he puts in and out here, you're only as good as your word. He wouldn't be able to stay in business if it was no good. Your $20k price is actually not far off. As I mentioned earlier, the $12k - $16k doesn't include the loops. A 5 ton unit is likely going to add a $6,500 - $8,250 to the bill for the loops depending on if I go horizontal or vertical. Throw 8,250 on to 16k and your at 24,250. I'm guessing that's not too far off of what's in your neighborhood.

Not that I'm looking forward to sitting in an excavator or on a trencher all weekend, but the cost savings over drilling wells may be very well worth it as the $6,500 number will go down if I dig the ditch.