The purpose of the pilot program is to determine reliable energy usage data. The results of this study will assist Kendal at Oberlin in adopting a comprehensive energy plan that is environmentally and economically sound. Kendal at Oberlin is currently largely dependent on electricity supplied by Oberlin Municipal Light and Power (OMLP), which obtains most (83%) of its electricity from coal fired power plants.

“The funds for the energy pilot are part of a much bigger plan to expand focus overall on energy conservation. This will bring together an effective partnership for Kendal among city, college staff and students, as well as Kendal residents, staff and board,” according to Barbara Thomas, Executive Director of Kendal at Oberlin. She continues, “Our nation’s energy security continues to be threatened by dependency on fossil fuels. It is clear that energy security and environmental security go hand-in-hand – our efforts to participate in going green will make a difference to our community and the world.”

Data supplied by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory prove renewable energy technologies to be much healthier for the environment than conventional technologies. Fossil fuels contribute significantly to environmental problems such as greenhouse gasses, water, soil and air pollution. Kendal at Oberlin has almost 300,000 square feet of buildings spread over 100 acres and energy management is increasingly important for both efficiency of use of shrinking resources and quality of the environment. Kendal at Oberlin plans to collaborate with the community to evaluate newer methods of heating and cooling living spaces, and to break away from the conventional patterns of using energy to improve the quality of their environment. Kendal believes that cooperative relationships with both the City of Oberlin and Oberlin College’s Environmental Studies Department provide an ideal arrangement to succeed with this study.

“In the democratic spirit of Kendal” says Pradnya Martz, chair of Kendal at Oberlin’s energy committee, “many will be participating and allowing their units to be studied. It will be a learning process for all. In addition, students from the College will be participating in this program. The success of this project will be a reflection of the town and its reputation.” When asked how the active senior community at Kendal would benefit from this pilot she continued, “The benefits are twofold. First, the results will provide a comfortable environment for the older population at Kendal. Second, Kendal culture places a high value on financial prudence and the efficient use of resources. There were recommendations made to replace the HVAC system’s inefficient baseboard heating with geothermal – green team vs. heat pumps. The data must be accurate so there is a need to forge ahead with an empirical study and get data we can trust.”