A Look Under the Surface of the Nation’s Most Progressive Hotel
This National Earth Day, we aren’t just celebrating the planet, we’re protecting it. While many hotels talk about "going green," The Hotel at Oberlin was built to set a new global standard. As one of only a handful of hotels in the United States to achieve LEED Platinum certification (the highest honor from the U.S. Green Building Council), our commitment to the Earth is baked into our very foundation.
The Geothermal Revolution: A National First
Most guests look for a thermostat when they enter a room, but at The Hotel at Oberlin, the comfort you feel actually begins 600 feet below your feet.
We are the first hotel in the nation to incorporate a closed-loop geothermal well field paired with a radiant heating and cooling system. Instead of burning fossil fuels to blast air through vents, we harness the constant temperature of the Earth.
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How it works: A series of underground wells circulate fluid that absorbs the Earth's natural heat in the winter and disperses heat back into the ground in the summer.
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The Radiant Difference: This energy is delivered through radiant panels in your ceiling. It doesn't just heat the air; it warms the surfaces and people in the room using infrared energy, the same way the sun warms your skin on a spring day.
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A Healthier Stay: Because there is no "forced air," there is no circulation of dust or allergens, providing a cleaner, more breathable environment for our guests.
"Set It and Forget It": Tips for the Eco-Conscious Traveler
Because our system is so innovative, it works a little differently than a standard home AC. To celebrate Earth Day with us, we invite you to embrace a "slower" form of comfort:
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Patience is a Virtue: Radiant systems are highly efficient but gradual. Please allow 45 minutes per degree of temperature change.
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The Sweet Spot: We recommend the "Set it and Forget it" method. Pick your ideal temperature and let the Earth do the heavy lifting.
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Ceiling Fan Synergy: If you prefer a gentle breeze, our rooms feature sleek, high-efficiency ceiling fans to boost air movement immediately.
Beyond the Wells: A 360-Degree Commitment
Our LEED Platinum status isn't just about the heating; it’s about a holistic "Future Forward" vision:
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The Exterior: Our building features automated solar shading devices that act like "smart blinds," moving throughout the day to block heat from the sun and reduce our cooling needs.
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Rainwater Harvesting: We collect rain in a 30,000-gallon cistern to irrigate our native landscaping, ensuring not a drop of water is wasted.
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Local Souls: 50% of our building materials were sourced from within 500 miles, including furniture handcrafted by Amish tradespeople and wood features salvaged from a 19th-century farmhouse.
Celebrate Earth Day Every Day
Sustainability isn't a trend here; it's our mission. This Earth Day, we invite you to book our "Earth Day, Every Day" Package. Not only will you enjoy a house-made green energy booster or botanical cocktail, but we will donate $20 per night of your stay to Common Ground’s Earth Camp, helping to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Ready to experience the future of hospitality?