Any views on ecofriendly heating systems?

[jennymac]

We are going to be building a new house next year and are thinking about more eco-friendly heating systems. Are considering the geothermal heat pump - does anyone have one and how is it working out?

My in-laws are about to install a ground-source in their new build - they're very excited about it. We'd go for one like a shot if we could have underfloor heating (listed building).

It does seem like a good idea - costly at the start but should pay for itself after a while. Also considering a biomass boiler. Do you know if your in-laws got a government grant towards the installation costs of their ground-source.

Hmm - not as far as I know, but I'm not sure they would have looked for one, not being that sort of people.

My neighbours have a wood pellet boiler in their new build ecohouse, and it's great fun, although I don't think it's any cheaper than oil. You need a big place to store all the wood pellets.

People keep telling me that air-source heat pumps are a practical lower cost way to go.