Geothermal is interesting as it improves heat pump efficiency summer and winter - the relatively constant temp ground water really helps the temperature delta that you pump over during outside ambient temp extremes. I've looked at it twice now when needing new heat pumps but was never comfortable enough with after sale support.
For those wanting to look at some local "green" technologies, Duke does offer tours of their SmartHome off Swift Ave in Durham. Since the Home functions as a "dorm" for a dozen or so Pratt engineering students its an interesting experiment. If you go, ask to see the keg
http://www.smarthome.duke.edu/
Oh yea, the on-topic part - Duke wanted to use geothermal heat pumps at the SmartHome ... but the land the house sits on was too rocky to cost effectively run the heat exchange piping. So they have a "standard" heat pump - SEER 19 IIRC. Lots of other cool stuff too ....
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