Buss was a heating contractor before he put a geothermal system into his own home in Quincy 21 years ago. That sold him on the concept. We have several subdivisions in Quincy that are all geothermal. They wanted systems that worked without problems and homeowners who were happy with their monthly bills. He estimates 30 percent of new homes constructed in Quincy have geothermal compared with about 5 to 10 percent of new homes in the Peoria area.
Some geothermal installations use water from ponds or aquifers.
Others on small lots use loops drilled 150 feet deep into the earth. Homes with more land can use a less expensive installation that places loops in trenches about six feet underground. Crunch the numbers. Brent Braker of Garber Heating and Air Conditioning said his company has been installing geothermal units in the Peoria area for 18 years. It really is the way to go.