I had researched much of this before and the last few posts hit the core of the issue and potential expense.
With ground source loops, you need a LOT of area. Usually this means having a lot of land, clearing a lot of trees, disturbing a lot of the land, etc. I.e., expensive. Not to mention the mentioned issue of cooling of the land mass during heavy use.
The water/well systems are a better heat source. But usually you are looking at drilling a deep well, usually separate from your potable water source. Often, depending on configuration and state/town laws, you may need a second well for discharge. Unless you have a closed loop system, clogging of the pumps and circulators can be an issue, depending on the water. With both closed and open systems, contamination of the water source is a concern. Once again, expensive.
As attractive as the potential fuel savings can be, for most, the upfront costs are usually too high and the payback too long to make it viable.
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