On 1st April 2022 there are some major updates to the MCS Heat Pump Standard (MIS 3005) which will come into effect. Fortunately for our customers, Alto Energy has been proactively reviewing and preparing for these changes, meaning there will be no disruption at all for our customers.
What Is MCS?
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a nationally recognised quality assurance scheme, supported by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, which is a requirement for a company who wish to commission renewable heating products, such as heat pumps.
MCS is also an eligibility requirement for the Government's financial incentives including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). This means that if your heat pump is not designed and commissioned by an MCS accredited company then you could miss out on thousands of pounds of government incentives.
How Is MCS Changing?
On 1 April 2022, significant changes to the MCS Heat Pump Standard (MIS 3005) will come into effect.
The standard is to be split between Design and Installation, creating two new Standards:
MIS 3005-D – for Heat Pump Design
MIS 3005-I – for Heat Pump Installation
The new standards will be mandatory from the 1st April.
The reason for splitting the standard is a reflection of the level of expertise that is required at all stages throughout the heat pump installation. Good design requires a high-level of experience and expertise, and is critical to the efficient performance of the heat pump. Likewise, installation, commissioning, set-up and handover of the heat pump is crucial to the end product, requiring heat pump engineers with significant field experience.
What Does This Mean?
For Alto Energy and our customers, the changes mean very little. As a company that is already MCS accredited, this means that we have been assessed and achieved competency already on all aspects of the heat pump design and commissioning.
The New Boiler Upgrade Scheme Grant
Alto Energy’s MCS accreditation means that we will be able to obtain the boiler upgrade scheme grant on eligible projects. The scheme is eligible for all heat pumps commissioned from 1st April 2022, and vouchers can be applied for from 23rd May 2022.
You can find out more about the boiler upgrade scheme here.
Our MCS Umbrella Scheme for Heating Installers
For our heating installer customers who utilise our MCS umbrella scheme, under the new MCS rules we will continue to be able to service all aspects of the MCS standard. Alto Energy will provide comprehensive designs compliant with MIS 3005 D; and we will then provide training, technical support and our quality control and commissioning service to provide the final MCS certificate under MIS 3005-I.
You can find out more about our MCS umbrella scheme here.