Educational guidance on registers and logs — what each records, who maintains it, what it typically contains and how long it is generally kept. Informational only — template examples, not official documents or legal advice; a register documents activity, it does not by itself prove compliance, and employers remain responsible.
What an energy consumption log is
An energy consumption log records meter readings and energy use across a site — by utility, area or process — so trends are visible, waste can be spotted and efficiency measures can be judged.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — any energy reporting or audit duties vary by country, scheme and organisation.
Purpose
- Record energy use from meters and bills.
- Track consumption over time and by area or process.
- Reveal waste and the effect of efficiency measures.
- Support carbon estimates and any energy reporting.
Who maintains it
- A facilities, energy or sustainability lead keeps it current.
- Readings come from meters, sub-meters and bills.
- Figures are reviewed against baselines and targets.
- The employer decides the regime and ownership.
When it is used
- When meter readings are taken on the agreed schedule.
- When reviewing energy use and efficiency.
- When assessing the impact of an efficiency measure.
- When preparing carbon or energy reports.
Typical fields
- Period, meter or area, and the energy type.
- Reading or consumption and the unit.
- Comparison with a baseline or target.
- Notes on unusual usage or known causes.
- Owner and sign-off.
- Example columns only — adapt to your site and any reporting.
Common mistakes
- Estimating readings instead of reading meters.
- Ignoring unexplained spikes in usage.
- Comparing periods that are not like for like.
- Collecting data but never acting to reduce use.
Document workflow
An energy consumption log feeds the carbon and environmental chain: readings are recorded here, the carbon emissions log uses the data, and efficiency measures and the environmental aspects review follow afterwards. Unusual usage may trigger maintenance checks.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after an energy consumption entry.
Retention (high level)
Energy data is generally kept for a period that allows year-on-year comparison and meets any reporting scheme, in line with the organisation’s needs. This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
The log is often held in a spreadsheet or tool and exported to PDF for reviews and reports. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make it official or prove compliance.
Employer checklist
- Read meters consistently rather than estimating.
- Compare like-for-like periods and investigate spikes.
- Use the data to target and verify efficiency measures.
- Link the log to carbon estimates and any reporting.
Worker notes
- Take accurate meter readings where asked.
- Follow energy-saving practices and switch off where appropriate.
- Report equipment that seems to be wasting energy.
Country considerations
Energy reporting and audit duties vary by country, scheme and organisation, and the official authority differs where one applies. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not legal advice.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for any energy reporting it is subject to and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not make an organisation compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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