"It's 35 years we have lived in our current house. It was just time to start the new phase of our lives," explained homeowner Jack Meinzenbach.

Building this new home means the Meinzenbach's will have to decide everything about their new home step by step.

"I think the fact it is going to be energy efficient and we will have lower utility bills that's important especially as you are approaching retirement,"said Meinzenbach.

A geothermal system is heating and cooling their home. The ground absorbs almost 50 percent of the sun's energy. Geothermal technology grabs that energy and uses it for homes.

"It was a win-win for my clients and for myself. We feel we are the most energy efficient homes in the state of Missouri at this time. I just feel like it is the wave of the future and we are just trying to responsible in our construction," said builder John Welek.

This system is more expensive than a typical heating and cooling installation, but experts say it's a pay off.

"We are only looking at a difference between $ 3-4 thousand  for the investment. And after two years we got that paid off. Then after that it is like putting $150 back into your pocket," stated Welek.

This water furnace system is equivalent to planting 750 trees or removing two cars from the road. It doesn't burn fossil fuels which means no emissions of greenhouse gases.