The easiest way to install it is vertically by drilling a well. You then use the heat that is naturally in the ground (at 50-60i F) and a heat exchanger to pre-condition the air in your home before heating it the final 10-20i F to the tempature that you have in the home. (Compare that to heating air from -20i F up to 70i F and you can see why there is such a quick payback)
The systems are more expensive up front, but they will save you 50-70% off of your heating bills (And in the summer the heat exchange works in reverse giving you air conditioning for nearly zero cost!)
Believe me, if my heater were to crash tommorrow and require replacement...Then a Geothermal system will be installed within a few weeks...
I think you will get energy rebates from you State and the utility also which will lower the cost. (call them and find out)
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Start investigating geothermal... In Nebraska the payback would be less than 3 years...