Air source heat pump installations which achieve MCS certification will not only comply with the high standards set by this organisation but they can also be eligible for government funding, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Installers looking to install MCS certified heat pump systems can do so either by becoming MCS accredited themselves or by partnering with MCS certification umbrella schemes. Here, we explain these pathways in more detail and explain how Grant UK can support installers with achieving MCS accreditation for their heat pump installations.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) was first launched in 2007. It is a standards organisation which promotes the installation of renewable energy technologies with a clear mission to build confidence in low-carbon energy by defining, maintaining and improving quality. MCS standards are in place for both products and contractors so technologies, such as air source heat pumps, can be MCS accredited and the installers who fit them can be MCS certified. In this blog, we will talk more about what MCS is, how installers can become MCS certified, the benefits of MCS certified heat pump installations as well as explaining how MCS certification umbrella schemes can support installers.
What is the MCS Scheme and why is it important?
MCS sets and defines a series of standards for low carbon technology products, the companies and contractors who fit them and their installations. MCS certification for products and installers demonstrates an adherence to the recognised industry standards, acknowledging quality, competency and compliance. Products which are MCS approved, including Grant’s Aerona air source heat pumps, have been certified against the MCS Product Standards for quality, reliability and performance. Meanwhile, MCS installers are certified against the set of standards specific to the products they fit, demonstrating competency, undergoing training and achieving the required qualifications and fulfilling other criteria relating to their customer care, workmanship and business operations.
MCS certification offers a number of advantages to installers and their customers with a principle benefit being eligibility for Government finance support and incentives, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Installers looking to complete heat pump installations which are eligible for this Government funding will need to either become MCS accredited themselves or they will need to partner with MCS certification umbrella schemes.
What heating technologies does MCS cover?
Low-carbon technologies which are covered under MCS include air source heat pumps, solar thermal, battery storage, biomass, solar PV, small wind turbines, ground/water source heat pumps and other technologies. MCS certification is therefore available for renewable energy products that generate heat or electricity from natural sources such as the sun, wind, air or water. MCS accreditation is awarded to individual products within a range, with each model undergoing assessment to ensure compliance with the standards. For example, each of the Aerona heat pump models have been individually assessed and awarded MCS certification.
A question that is commonly asked by customers is ‘Do you need an MCS certificate for solar panels?’. If a solar thermal system is being installed through a Government finance scheme, such as HES Funding, then the solar thermal panels being installed will need to be MCS approved. Grant UK supply solar thermal systems and their Sahara solar panels are MCS certified.
It is also important to highlight that MCS certification for heating engineers is issued per technology; for example, an engineer wanting to install MCS certified heat pump and solar thermal installations will be required to hold MCS certification for heat pumps and MCS certification for solar thermal.
How to get a MCS Certificate
To become an MCS certified installer, engineers must complete the required elements which fall under the following five steps:
- Become familiar with the Standards: installers will be assessed against the MCS 001-01 Standard as well as the technical Standard for the technology they wish to become accredited for.
- Demonstrate competency: installation companies will be asked to demonstrate how they engage the services of skilled, experienced individuals with the MCS 025 Standard outlining the full competency criteria. At least one individual within a company needs to be the Nominated Technical Person for each technology they install and such individuals will need to complete an MCS approved training course.
- Commit to demonstrating quality: companies must demonstrate the operation of a Quality Management System.
- Commit to customer care: companies must be a member of a Consumer Code which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, such as RECC (Renewable Energy Consumer Code) or HEIS (Home Insulation & Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme).
- Commit to Quality Workmanship: companies must apply to a Certification Body who ensures that installations are being completed in line the MCS Standards, such as OFTEC or NAPIT.
MCS have shared a guide to becoming MCS certified on their website here.
As mentioned in Step 2, engineers seeking MCS accreditation will need to complete an MCS approved training course. For installers applying to become an MCS certified heat pump installer, they can turn to the Grant UK Training Academy where our Trainers deliver OFTEC heat pump courses that installers can complete in order to obtain an OFTEC heat pump qualification towards their MCS certification. You can learn more about the OFTEC courses available through Grant UK here as well reading about our state-of-the-art training facilities. Alternatively, please follow the links below to read the course specifications for OFTEC’s heat pump qualification courses:
- OFT21-504A: Installation, commissioning and servicing of Air Source Heat Pumps
- OFT21-504D: Design of Heat Pump systems
The benefits of MCS accreditation
There are lots of benefits of being a MCS certified installer. The MCS certification can facilitate compliance with insurance requirements as many household insurance providers will only cover renewable technologies which have been installed to MCS standards. MCS certification demonstrates building work compliance which is required when working with NHBC or LABC. MCS installers can also access leads by being listed on the MCS database, putting their business in front of consumers looking for new renewable heating systems. There are many other benefits too, some of which we explain in more detail below.
Build trust with homeowners
The MCS logo is an accreditation that many homeowners look for. Installers who are MCS certified can display the MCS Quality Mark logo on their vehicles, website and marketing materials to help them stand out from the crowd in the competitive marketplace of the heat pump sector. Homeowners may choose an MCS installer because they are claiming financial support from a Government scheme or because they are looking for an installer who complies with the high standards set by MCS, from holding particular business accreditations and training qualifications through to the added benefit of consumer protection provided through membership of a Consumer Code.
Access to Government grants & schemes
As previously mentioned, heat pump installations being installed through government schemes, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, must be MCS certified. Installers who are MCS certified, or who install through an MCS certification umbrella scheme, can therefore access this customer base and realise the business opportunities these installations can offer. We share more information about the Government incentives and financial schemes available in our Knowledge Hub.
Environmental impact
MCS certified products have to meet specific efficiency levels as part of the MCS approvals process. A heat pump that carries the MCS Quality Mark logo is therefore designed to operate effectively, maximising the heating output for the amount of electricity used to run the unit. The MCS Heat Pump Installation standards, which installers must adhere to when installing heat pumps, also promote the correct set-up of these systems to further promote the successful installation of efficient renewable heating systems here in the UK.
Statistics around MCS Installers
During the NESTA 2024 survey, questions about MCS were presented to installers. One of the questions asked respondents who are not currently MCS certified what the main reasons were for their decision – 82% of these businesses said that there was too much paperwork, 63% of businesses answered that costs for certification were too expensive and 39% said they prefer to work through an MCS umbrella scheme. The feedback shared here is reflected in the statistics captured by the survey which showed that MCS certification was less prevalent among sole traders and those companies with five or less employees (NESTA 2024).
Every installation company is different – for some businesses, becoming MCS certified in their own right is the best solution for them and their customers, whereas for some installers, working with MCS umbrella schemes is more suitable. Through MCS umbrella schemes, an installer can complete MCS certified installations without having to undergo the full process for MCS certification. However, it is important to point out that such umbrella schemes do still require engineers to fulfil training and competency requirements. An example of a MCS Umbrella Scheme is the Grant UK Heat Pump Go MCS Sign-Off Partnership.
Is an MCS Certificate the same as Building Regulations?
Building Regulations are set by the Government, supported by a series of Approved Documents which provide guidance on achieving the legal minimum requirements for the construction and extension of buildings. When changes or alterations are made to a building, such as the installation of a new heating systems, Building Control need to be notified to ensure that any works are compliant with Building Regulations.
Installers who are registered with a competent persons scheme can self-certify that their works comply with Building Regulations. MCS certified heat pump installers, for example, will be able to use the MCS certification issued for an installation as their evidence of compliance, rather than having to seek separate Building Control approvals.
How to become MCS certified with Grant UK
With Grant UK, we provide the training courses that can help installers on their pathway to MCS certification for Grant heat pumps. By completing one of the OFTEC heat pump courses at the Grant UK Training Academy, engineers can then apply for MCS certification under the scopes of MIS 3005-D or MIS 3005-I standards, depending on the qualification they obtain. If you are interested in learning more about this heat pump training, please speak to a member of our Training Team.
MCS Certification Umbrella Scheme with Grant UK
For those installers and companies who want to partner with an MCS Umbrella Scheme, Grant UK also provide this alternative pathway to MCS certified heat pump installations. Through the Heat Pump Go MCS Sign-Off Partnership with Grant UK, G1 heat pump installers can receive MCS approved designs for their Aerona heat pump installations and one of Grant UK’s in-house Field Service Engineers will attend site to support with the commissioning and MCS sign-off. To learn more about this scheme, please click here or speak to your local Grant UK Sales Representative.