Here's My Great Green Idea!

I designed and built a new house in southern Louisiana after being hit by hurricane Katrina using several energy efficient systems. My home heating and cooling system has the greatest impact. I installed a closed loop geothermal or ground source heat pump. Closed loop systems recycle the water used to heat/cool a house. These systems use water and not chemicals in cooling and heating, which is also good for the environment. Each of the inter-linked wells either warms or cools the water flowing into the heat pump depending on the time of year. The system was 40% more expensive to install than a conventional furnace and A/C system, but my monthly heating/cooling bills are approximately 40% of a normal system. I should be able to recuperate the added cost in 3 to 5 years from the energy savings posted every month. Geothermal systems have twice the working life span than a normal system with fewer repairs or servicing. A geothermal system has an added bonus in that it maintains a more balanced humidity all year long. Because the system is so energy efficient, I use less electricity, which is better for the environment. Geothermal systems are easy to install in new or existing homes, but they are not a DIY project and do require a licensed contractor.