Geothermal Heating/Cooling

Geothermal heating/cooling systems use the earth as a heat exchanger and thereby provides better climate control at a reduced cost.

It is clear that such systems cost less to upkeep and appear to be less prone to failure that traditional climate control. However, the cost of acquisition is steep and these systems do not work in all geographic regions. Yet, these systems are worth looking at it would be well worth it if builders familiarized themselves with them.

I am however uncomfortable with a trend that has become increasingly prevalent among proponents of "green technologies." They tend to factor in Government subsidies or tax credits into the economics of their justification. This approach, while tempting, is a little like bribing your son to take his sister's best friend to the prom. The bribe invalidates all other value propositions and makes suspect the subject of promotion, be it a plain-looking prom date or a "green technology."

No matter the cost, any worthwhile technology will have first adopters. If it proves itself its use spreads and its cost goes down; this is how the market has always worked. Remember how PCs spread despite there being not subsidy or tax break for them form most of their history? Did Bluetooth or USB require subsidies to spread?