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ESCo Manager

Designed for housing providers and property managers, ESCo Manager offers expert support without taking control away from you. These FAQs explain how it works and what to expect.

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Help & support
What does ESCo Manager include?

Unlike a traditional energy services company (ESCo), which typically owns and operates the heat network, sets tariffs independently, and profits from the sale of heat to its end users. ESCo Manager is a transparent, client-led service

You stay in control of key decisions while we handle the day-to-day operations and coordination.

Here’s what’s included:

  • Contract management: We oversee supplier performance, run tenders when needed, and manage contractor transitions and onboarding.
  • Utility procurement & cost control: We secure competitive fuel contracts, monitor usage, and adjust tariffs with live data to keep bills accurate and budgets stable.
  • Lifecycle planning: We track asset performance to build forward-looking strategies that support budgets, resilience, and long-term planning.
  • Compliance & legal: We ensure compliance with Heat Network Metering & Billing Regulations 2014, Heat Trust’s Scheme Rules, and upcoming Ofgem regulations, handling all legal obligations under relevant acts.
  • Performance & reporting: We provide quarterly updates on costs, service levels, and KPIs, tailored to your reporting needs.
  • Finance management: We manage all income and expenditure, including sinking funds for future asset replacements.
  • Resident communication: We provide a single point of contact for enquiries, ensuring residents stay informed and complaints are resolved quickly.

With short contracts, expert support, and full transparency, ESCo Manager gives you the benefits of a fully managed service without giving up control.

What reports do I get under ESCo Manager, and how frequently do I get these?

You’ll receive quarterly reports that cover:

  • Network performance, incl. heat losses and any asset faults
  • Financial statements and cost recovery process
  • Meter health status and risks
  • Tariff updates and resident feedback
  • Performance against KPIs

Want to see what this looks like? You can request a sample report from Account Manager or our Solutions team.

What involvement do you need from us with the heat network?

We take care of the complexity, but your involvement ensures transparency and alignment.

Here’s what we typically need:

  • Initial completion of the request for information document and site access for surveys
  • Timely approval of quotes and decisions
  • Collaboration on lifecycle planning and investment strategy
  • Final sign-off on key contracts and tariff updates

Unlike an ESCo, you retain oversight and decision-making power. We’re here to support you.

Do I have final sign-off against any contracts, including metering & billing providers, maintenance contractors, incoming fuel contracts, and tariff updates?

Yes. You retain final sign-off on all major contracts and tariff changes.

We bring expertise in provider management, procurement, and tariff modelling, so while you stay in control, you benefit from our strategic insights and hands-on support.

This balance of expert guidance and client control is what sets ESCo Manager apart.

What is the invoicing process for a new build development that still has vacant units?

Even if units are vacant, energy costs still accrue. That’s why we apply void unit charges to recover costs incurred before first resident occupation.

These charges cover the period after practical completion or energy supply handover and are calculated based on the tariff set for that heat network.

We offer preoccupation void calculations to ensure fair cost recovery and accurate tariff modelling. These are issued quarterly or on request and tailored to your scheme’s handover and occupancy timeline.

If you’d like to see how this works for your development, just ask your Account Manager.

How quickly can you start your ESCo Manager services?

ESCo Manager onboarding kicks off 12 weeks before go-live. It includes:

  • Site surveys
  • Stakeholder meetings
  • System setup for a smooth operational handover

As with other services, returning information and confirming quotes on time helps everything run to plan.

Need more details on the timeline? Your Account Manager or our Solutions team can walk you through it.