1) What are my options for installing a ground source heat pump?

There are multiple designs for ground-source heating. The most common ones will be overviewed here.

Open Loop, Aquifer:

This system uses the constant temperature of the groundwater (approximately 8° C) to generate thermal energy, either heat in the winter or cool in the summer. Because this temperature is constant, this design is one of the most efficient. A well is drilled into the aquifer and the groundwater is passed through the heat pump and immediately returned back to the same aquifer.

Closed Loop , Surface Water:

This system would trap the thermal energy from a surface body of water such as a pond, lake, river, or ocean by passing piping filled with a water and ethanol based solution back and forth through the surface water and then through a heat pump; this is perhaps the most efficient system because of the low pumping costs, stable water temperature, and the high conductivity of the pond, lake, river, or ocean.

Closed Loop , Vertical:

In a closed loop the thermal energy is obtained from the sub-surface of the ground instead of from water. The ground is also very constant in temperature, so the efficiency of this design is similar to that of an open loop aquifer design. Pipes filled with a water and ethanol based solution pass through the ground and are heated or cooled, depending on the season. Then the solution is passed through a heat pump. In a vertical design, boreholes are drilled in which the pipes are laid. The benefit is the much smaller area needed for this system as compared to a horizontal system; however, it is much more costly to install.

Closed Loop , Horizontal:

This design is similar to the above system; however, the pipes are laid horizontally in trenches around the building. It takes much more space but is similar in price to install as Pond, Lake , River, and Ocean loops.