Installers news, page 3
- April 2025
Government launches consultation on expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The government has opened a consultation on widening the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to cover air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries, and to allow third-party ownership finance alongside grants.
Gwresogi achieves MCS certification for solar PV, heat pumps and battery storage
Gwresogi, a Gwynedd installer founded in 2014, gained MCS certification in April 2025 covering solar PV, air source heat pumps and battery storage, according to an MCS case study.
MCS launches four-week consultation on financial protection requirements
MCS opened a four-week consultation in April 2025 on proposed financial protection requirements for its redeveloped scheme, drawing over 30 responses including from the CMA and DESNZ.
- March 2025
Uswitch updates new boiler costs and installation guide
Uswitch republished its new boiler cost and installation guide on 21 March 2025, listing installer offers, finance terms and typical installation prices for UK households.
MCS responds to DESNZ call for evidence on Ofgem review
MCS has backed a proposed extension of Ofgem's remit to enforce consumer law for low-carbon technologies, and asked to act as the regulator's delivery partner for small-scale renewables.
MCS begins transition to Redeveloped Installer Scheme over 18 months
MCS has begun an 18 month transition to its Redeveloped Installer Scheme, announced alongside record contractor numbers of over 5,250 and a record year for certified installations in 2024.
MCS introduces amended ASHP standards
MCS introduced amended air source heat pump standards on 20 March 2025, further amended on 23 April, which the Welsh Government says will form part of permitted development rights if its proposals come into force.
- February 2025
MCS begins tracking self build installations
MCS began recording certified renewable installations on self build properties from February 2025, a category that accounted for 1% of its certified work last year.
- January 2025
UK Government announces action on poor quality solid wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS
The UK Government has announced action over poor quality solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS, including suspending installers, with affected households to be contacted by Ofgem.
Government plans to almost double Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget for the next financial year
The Minister for Energy Consumers said the Boiler Upgrade Scheme budget will be almost doubled in the next financial year, as industry data showed record renewable installations in 2024.
ECA MCS Warranty provider ceases offering the warranty without notice
The ECA has told members that its MCS Warranty provider stopped offering the ECA MCS Warranty without notice on 9 January 2025, and it is checking whether the change is permanent.
38 installers suspended from government retrofit schemes
Certification bodies suspended 38 installer businesses from government retrofit schemes after quality failures, a parliamentary committee has reported, with 22 reinstated by November 2025.
The Battery Installation Standard was issued
MCS has issued MIS 3012:2025 version 1.0, a battery installation standard setting out requirements for the design and installation of battery storage systems, dated 1 January 2025.
Financial incentives for stand-alone fossil fuel boilers are to be phased out
The European Commission has issued guidance confirming that from 1 January 2025 EU Member States must not offer financial incentives for installing stand-alone fossil fuel boilers.
- December 2024
Fox ESS issues version 4.2 of its UK and Ireland battery warranty policy
Fox ESS has published version 4.2 of its UK and Ireland battery warranty policy, dated 23 December 2024, covering its battery module range and setting out standard cover, free extensions and performance terms.
MCS publishes updated MCS 031 heat pump standard and Excel tool
MCS has published Issue 4.0 of its heat pump pre-sale performance standard, replacing the SCoP-based estimate with a method using system type, specific heat loss and a Heat Emitter Guide lookup table.
MCS ended its Appointed Representative relationship with Independent Warranty
MCS has ended its Appointed Representative relationship with Independent Warranty, so IWA Insurance Backed Guarantees can no longer be bought through the MCS Installation Database.
MCS publishes updated MIS 3005-D heat pump design standard
MCS has published an updated MIS 3005-D heat pump design standard, clarifying hybrid system compliance, defining hybrid and supplementary heat sources, and replacing the 100% heat load rule with a 55% minimum.
Fuller TrustMark audit concludes on solid wall insulation quality
A fuller TrustMark audit into solid wall insulation installed under two government schemes concluded in mid-December 2024, after routine checks found significant work that did not meet the required standard.
So Energy introduces 0% finance option for solar installations
So Energy has introduced a 0% finance option that lets customers spread the cost of a solar installation, the supplier said in a December 2024 article on solar panel costs.
- November 2024
MCS published an update on scheme redevelopment
MCS has set out what its redeveloped certification scheme will contain when documents are published in January 2025, with a transition period expected to run for 12 to 18 months.
MCS publishes response to MCS 020 consultation and sets out key changes to the standard
MCS has published its response to the MCS 020 consultation, confirming a split into two standards, a 37 dB(A) overall sound limit and publication of sound power levels on its Product Directory.
Ofgem opens enforcement investigation into Utilita
Ofgem has opened an enforcement investigation into Utilita's compliance with the rules governing the installation and use of prepayment meters for domestic customers, it disclosed in November 2024.
- October 2024
MCS published an update on solar PV module fire classifications
MCS has set out how a change to a European standard in September 2023 stopped fire test laboratories issuing fire classifications for solar PV modules, blocking roof-integrated products from Building Regulations compliance and MCS certification.
TrustMark audits identify poor-quality solid wall insulation under ECO4 and GBIS
TrustMark audits in October 2024 found significant poor-quality solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS, prompting installer suspensions and a wider government audit.
TrustMark notifies DESNZ of non-compliant external wall insulation installations
TrustMark told the government in October 2024 that a high share of external wall insulation installed under ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme failed to meet the required quality standard.
- September 2024
Autumn Budget increases funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Autumn Budget has increased funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with the remainder of £1.8bn after fuel poverty support allocated to the grant scheme.
SunutilitiesGroup Limited recorded as inactive by Energy Ombudsman
The Energy Ombudsman has recorded the energy broker SunutilitiesGroup Limited as inactive, with its membership of the dispute scheme shown as running from 10 January to 27 September 2024.
MCS launches Phase Two of the MCS Data Dashboard
MCS has launched Phase Two of its Data Dashboard, adding battery storage and Isle of Man figures, monthly breakdowns, a monthly contractor chart and a revised map of where installers operate.
First intake of Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship students expected
MCS has said it expects to enrol the first intake of students onto the UK's first Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship in September 2024, a dedicated training route for heat pump engineers.