Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner

I am planning to build a home for my family - been out here for a few years now and wife is calling in her chips now that tractors have a new home.

Wrestling with how to cool the house. Approx. 2500 sq. ft. located in Sanderson (N. FL). Gets around ~100 in August with 99.5% humidity.

Originally was thinking of using standard A/C but THEN been told to use HEAT PUMP off of my ~2 acre fish pond. Supposed to be beneficial to me and my fish. I know NOTHING about Heat Pumps.

Looking for comments about efficiencies, pros and cons. I will continue to do additional research but also value your experiences.

As an aside heating plan is to use gas fireplace w/ blower and wood fireplace (concession to wife) in the family room.

Spoke with builder tonite. He is not really crazy about water source heatpump for the following reasons:

1) Pond water temp may not be cool enough in summer for adequate cooling
2) As mentioned by Mike(WA) higher temp may result in fish kill, at minimum more electricity if considering well unit.
3) His HVAC sub is periodically temporarily unavailable for new construction as he is constantly switching water units out for air to air units. This detracts from his building schedule.

He has agreed to the following -
1) Ground units are an option but require more research by both of us.
2) His preference is 2 air to air TRANE units 14 SEER, possibly 16 if I really feel the NEED
3) Will make house air-tight thru and thru with "smoke" leak check. I also suggested extending chimney another 18" to get adequate draw for wife's 'atmosphere' fireplace due to air-tight house. Also asked that a damper be added - original spec was straight pipe.

As to the wood burner, on a super tight house you will need to supply air from the outside. No matter how tall the chimney is, the wood burner will only create a vaccumn and that's it. Need a pipe to the wood burner to bring in outside air.

But then, I live in southern Minnesota, where heating is a very important thing, and cooling is only for those who live in the little packed cubicles. So, my thoughts probably don't relate to Florida real well. :)

--->Paul

The "atmosphereplace" as I will come to name this thing is a concession to the wife. As to a source for outside air, any suggestions - i.e. crack a window when she wants a fire? Perhaps a blower fan from outside??

I just noticed that the chimney was level with the roofline and concerned not enuff draw coupled with airtite house. Never thought about lack of internal air.

Second, if the astmosphere place is on an exterior wall, a small pipe or tube (2 inch diameter) from the floor of the firebox to the outside shoiuld do it. Don't forget some kind of grill work to keep out the vermin. It is nice to have a valve or shutter to cut it off when the fireplace is not in use.

Your builder may be correct for your area, but I'd tactfully get a second opinion.