Energy Audit & ESOS Compliance Services
Understanding Energy Audits and ESOS
If your business falls under the ESOS regulations, Changing Footprint provides ESOS and energy audit compliance services to ensure full conformity with legislation. Our accredited auditors analyse energy use across your sites, fleets, and processes — identifying cost-effective efficiency opportunities and delivering complete ESOS documentation.
An Energy Audit is a structured assessment of how energy is consumed across your buildings, transport and operations. It provides the foundation for identifying inefficiencies, quantifying potential savings, and developing a clear plan for improvement.
The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is a UK government initiative that requires large organisations to measure, assess and report on energy use and to identify cost-effective energy-saving opportunities. Beyond compliance, ESOS presents an opportunity to embed energy efficiency and carbon reduction within the core of your operational strategy.
The Difference Between Audits and ESOS
Energy Audits — or Energy Surveys — offer a practical and cost-effective method for understanding energy use and identifying where and how reductions can be achieved. For many organisations, this process is the first step toward developing a structured Net Zero Pathway, enabling a data-driven approach to decarbonisation.
In the UK, ESOS regulations make energy audits mandatory for large companies, including a holisitc view of the operation, as opposed to a site based approach (taken by Audits). However, many organisations are now using the insights gained through auditing to strengthen their environmental credentials and support compliance with wider frameworks such as Procurement Policy Note (PPN 06/21) and Science Based Targets (SBTi).
Our Audit Process
Our audits are delivered through a clear, structured methodology that provides transparency, traceability, and actionable outcomes.
1. Data Collection and Analysis
We begin with a comprehensive review of your energy data to understand consumption patterns, identify anomalies, and highlight potential areas of improvement. We also gather information on installed systems, equipment age, and operational conditions.
2. Site Assessment
A detailed on-site survey follows, during which we assess your electrical distribution, lighting, heating, ventilation, and other energy-consuming systems. We also examine the building fabric — including windows, walls, roofs, and floors — and review occupancy or process schedules. Any on-site generation, such as solar installations is also documented.
3. Reporting and Recommendations
The findings are consolidated into a structured report that outlines opportunities to reduce energy consumption, improve efficiency, and where applicable, generate renewable energy. Each recommendation is presented with clear financial and environmental metrics to support informed decision-making.
Minimum requirements under ESOS legislation
If your organisation:
- Employs 250 or more people, or
- Has an annual turnover exceeding £44 million and an annual balance sheet total above £38 million,
you’re likely to qualify.
We’ll confirm your qualification status, guide you through what’s required, and deliver everything you need to comply — accurately and on time.
To comply with ESOS, qualifying organisations must:
- Undertake an ESOS Assessment every four years covering buildings, industrial processes, and transport.
- Measure total energy consumption and ensure that at least 95% of it is assessed through audits or approved alternative routes.
- Use verifiable 12-month energy data to inform the audit and identify opportunities.
- Appoint a qualified Lead Assessor (unless 100% of energy is covered by ISO 50001 certification).
- Undertake representative site visits to validate findings.
- Prepare an ESOS report and evidence pack signed off by a company director.
- Notify the Environment Agency (or relevant regulator) by the compliance deadline.
- Retain records for audit purposes and, under current rules, prepare an action plan and progress updates (or explain why you haven’t).
Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action and financial penalties — but with our structured process, you’ll have full confidence in your compliance position.
Our ESOS delivery process
We deliver ESOS with the same precision, transparency, and client focus that define all our sustainability services.
Here’s how we work:
1. Qualification & Scoping
We confirm whether you qualify for ESOS, define your group structure, and agree the scope of buildings, transport, and processes included.
2. Data Collection & Validation
We gather (at least) 12 months of verified energy data from your systems, invoices, and suppliers, ensuring full coverage and data integrity.
3. Energy Profiling & Significant Use Analysis
Our consultants identify your areas of significant energy consumption (covering at least 95% of total use) and select representative sites for audit.
4. Site Assessments & Energy Audits
We conduct detailed site visits and energy audits, analysing performance and identifying practical, cost-effective savings opportunities.
5. ESOS Report & Evidence Pack
We produce a comprehensive report and evidence pack that meets all legislative requirements and is aimed to be decision useful — clear, auditable, and director-ready.
6. Action Plan & Sign-off
Together, we prioritise opportunities, develop an action plan, and support director-level review and sign-off.
7. Submission & Ongoing Support
We handle the ESOS notification, maintain your evidence pack and can provide ongoing support with implementation, monitoring, and progress reporting.
Our process is transparent, efficient, and designed to deliver tangible benefits far beyond compliance.
What you’ll receive
- A fully compliant ESOS Report and evidence pack
- A prioritised Action Plan with estimated costs, savings, and payback periods
- Director sign-off and submission support
- Optional ongoing support for implementation and reporting
We make ESOS simple — transforming complex regulatory requirements into actionable insight.
From Insight to Implementation
The audit process culminates in actionable intelligence — enabling you to prioritise investments and plan for long-term performance improvement.
Our reports typically include payback period estimates, whole-life cost assessments, and carbon impact evaluations. We work with you to align these opportunities with your strategic and operational objectives, creating a practical roadmap for decarbonisation and efficiency.
Where required, we can develop Investment Grade Proposals, translating recommendations into defined programmes of work with verified savings and robust business cases.
Ultimately, ESOS and Energy Audits are more than a compliance exercise — they are a strategic tool for reducing costs, mitigating carbon risk and strengthening the resilience and sustainability of your organisation.
We're here to manage the process for you
Our consultants combine technical expertise with practical insight to help your organisation comply confidently, reduce energy costs, and strengthen your sustainability performance.
Whether you’re new to Energy Auditing and ESOS or looking to streamline your next compliance cycle, we’ll make the process simple, efficient, and valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
You qualify if you employ 250+ people, or have a turnover above £44 million and a balance sheet total above £38 million (as of the qualification date). We can confirm this for you quickly.
We’ll need 12 consecutive months of verifiable energy data for your sites, processes, and transport.
Yes — if your ISO 50001 certification covers all your energy use, it can serve as an alternative route to compliance.
Yes, unless your ISO 50001 certification covers 100% of your energy use. We’ll appoint and manage a qualified Lead Assessor on your behalf.
The Environment Agency can impose civil penalties for non-compliance. Early engagement ensures you meet all requirements on time.
Every four years — but we can help you integrate the findings into ongoing energy management so the benefits continue long after submission.