Yes they are. Whether you want to save money on operational costs, improve your site’s environmental performance, or both, then eco welfare units are the perfect site accommodation hire. In fact, with fuel costs rising and net zero targets and regulations tightening all the time, can you afford not to hire eco welfare units?

Think Hire have designed our eco welfare units to be energy efficient, sustainably powered and environmentally friendly, to meet the demands of modern site management. We’ve also made them practical and comfortable for your team, so your cost savings come without compromise. 

Let’s take a look at what makes our eco welfare units so efficient, cost-effective and sustainable.

What Makes a Welfare Unit ‘Eco-Friendly’?

Think Hire’s eco welfare units are eco-friendly because they are powered almost entirely by sustainable solar power. For example, our 7-person solar hybrid welfare cabin has eight 150W panels supplying a 5.12kW battery. This cuts diesel use by up to 98.5% compared to a standard diesel-generator-powered welfare unit, saving money and slashing carbon emissions.

These units are made even more environmentally friendly through the addition of a biofuel back-up generator, powered by HVO, which cuts emissions even further. The cabins are exceptionally well insulated, to retain heat in winter, and lit by low energy LED bulbs to reduce power consumption.

Think Hire eco welfare units are available in a range of sizes and specifications, from six person canteens to fifteen person canteens with office and twin WCs.

Top 3 Benefits of Hiring Eco Welfare Units

As a site manager, we know that you’re constantly balancing operating costs, environmental performance and site relations. What’s more, you have an obligation, under health and safety law, to provide appropriate welfare facilities for your team. Eco welfare units help you to manage all these elements, efficiently and effectively.

1. Significantly Reducing Fuel Costs

Providing constant power to welfare units for heating, cooking, showering and more, can be a big drain on resources and form a significant proportion of your site’s operating costs. If these units are running 24/7 on a busy site, with a constant stream of users, these costs can quickly mount up. By powering these units using solar energy, you cut your fuel costs by as much as 98.5%, without cutting back on the facilities your team needs. 

2. Lowering Your Site’s Carbon Footprint

By removing the dirty diesel generator, eco welfare units make your facilities cleaner and greener. This results in substantially lower emissions of CO2, NOx and particulates, improving your site’s sustainability. This not only helps protect the environment and improve your company’s ESG profile, but also helps to win more business from environmentally conscious clients. Lower emissions are also essential for sites operating within clean-air zones in inner cities, avoiding financial penalties and planning problems.

3. Reducing Noise and Improving Site Relations

Since eco welfare units are primarily powered by solar energy, with battery storage for overnight power, they can run almost silently. This eliminates the noise from diesel generators, improving relations with neighbours such as commercial properties by day and residential properties overnight. Silent operation allows your site to run outside of daytime hours, allowing you to complete projects faster and more efficiently, without causing complex community issues.

More Than Just a Green Initiative

While the ‘eco’ in eco welfare units stands for ecological, it could just as easily stand for economical. Choosing eco welfare units is far more than just a green initiative, designed to cut your carbon footprint. In the current climate of unpredictable fuel prices and rising costs, choosing eco welfare units is a smart financial move too.

Don’t be put off by the top line costings. Although the initial hire costs may be higher than they are for a standard, diesel generator powered welfare unit, the significantly reduced operating costs over the course of the hire will more than compensate for this.

Take Care of Your Team, The Environment and Your Budget with Think Hire

To find out more about Think Hire’s range of eco welfare units, and how they can cut your carbon footprint and your operating costs, without compromising on comfort or quality, get in touch with Think Hire  today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much fuel can a solar welfare unit save?

Solar powered eco welfare units use up to 98.5% less fuel than a standard diesel-powered unit. Rather than running constantly, and inefficiently, the back-up generator only kicks in when the battery level reaches a set low point. Savings can be increased by using a biofuel generator, such as HVO.

Are eco welfare units reliable during the UK winter?

Yes. Battery storage ensures that maximum solar power is utilised, even on short or dull days, keeping back-up generator use to a minimum. Modern solar panels do not need constant sunlight and can operate effectively even on cloudy days.

What amenities are included in eco welfare units?

Eco welfare cabins offer the exact same high-quality amenities as traditional units, meeting all your obligations under health and safety law. They include canteens with microwaves and kettles, drying rooms, clean running water, flushing toilets, and comfortable seating, all powered sustainably.

Are eco welfare units a straight swap?

Yes. Think Hire’s sustainable welfare units operate just like any other welfare unit. The eco power system is fully automated, with the smart energy management system seamlessly switching between solar, battery and generator power without any intervention from your site team.