"Geothermal Energy: Cheap Alternative to Natural Gas
(Allen County-WANE-October 1, 2004) With heating costs expected to be expensive again this winter, many people are looking for cheaper heating alternatives.
While it's not commonly known, one alternative has been around for 60 years. It's Geothermal Heating and Cooling, and it has been picking up in popularity.
The geothermal system uses plastic pipes submerged to the bottom of a pond to collect the Earth's natural heat. The system then transfers that head through the pipes to the connected building.
One of the largest ponds in northern Indiana used for the service could offer a 600 ton heating and cooling capacity. That could result in great savings for consumers.
Autoliv, a company providing Geothermal energy, couldn't give specific savings statistics, but did says a 2,500 square-foot home would pay $1,000 annually for natural gas, while the same home would pay $500 for geothermal energy.
The equipment used for geothermal energy is, however, more expensive than conventional heating. Equipment typical costs $1,500 to $2,000 more, making the savings come after a long-term investment.
http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=2376284&nav=0RYbRXki"
From what i understand you need some 300 feet of tubing buried approx 7 feet is a back and forward motion under your yard/lawn. This combined with a solar heater and smart heat exchager will suffice.
Over all cost.. maybe 4000$ CDN in parts? (not including solar heater, which can be DIY as well)