The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has split its heat pump standard MIS 3005 into two separate standards, one for heat pump design and one for heat pump installation, both mandatory from 1 April 20221. MCS is a quality assurance scheme supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)1.
The two standards are MIS 3005-D for heat pump design and MIS 3005-I for heat pump installation1. MCS says the split is intended to make the market more accessible, letting installers focus on design or installation according to their skillsets, and to accommodate the predicted increase in contractors able to install heat pumps alongside independent designers1. Contractors already certified under MIS 3005 are certified for both design and installation by default, and those certifications carry over until their next certification surveillance assessment, when they can choose to be certified for design, installation, or both1. Any contractor, design or installer, who holds the customer contract can register a system on the MCS Microgeneration Installation Database1. Compliance certificates were required under the DRHI but are no longer required now that it has closed1.
Ian Rippin, chief executive of MCS, said:
"This is a positive outcome for installers as we approach the end of the DRHI. The diversification of the new Heat Pump Standards will enable the industry to deliver the best service for customers and accommodate contractors who wish to streamline their skillset."
The change sits alongside separate work by MCS on umbrella schemes, where an MCS certified organisation completes the design and commissioning of a system but subcontracts all or elements of the installation3. MCS published findings from a consultation on those schemes on 15 December 2021, based on just over 100 responses, of which 42 per cent said they currently run an umbrella scheme3. Of that group, 36 per cent run a scheme for air source heat pumps, 24 per cent for ground or water source heat pumps, 16 per cent for solar PV and 11 per cent for solar thermal3. MCS said it would assess how umbrella scheme customers are protected against what is written in MCS 001-1 on contracts with customers and subcontracting, and that this may result in changes to MCS 001-1 and MGD 0013. MCS stated that clarifying contractual responsibility would be essential in light of the new separate MIS 3005 standards3.
| Standard | Scope | Mandatory from |
|---|---|---|
| MIS 3005-D | Heat pump design | 1 April 20221 |
| MIS 3005-I | Heat pump installation | 1 April 20221 |
Why it matters for households
MCS certification is an eligibility requirement for government financial incentives, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme2. A heat pump that is not designed and commissioned by an MCS accredited company may not qualify for those incentives2. The split means the design and the installation of a system can sit with two different certified contractors, so the paperwork behind a heat pump installation may name one business for the design and another for the fitting. MCS has said it will examine how customers are protected where responsibilities are divided, including under umbrella schemes, and that risks to consumer protection arise when the responsibilities for an installation are not clearly defined3. For a household, the practical question is which organisation holds the contract and carries responsibility for the finished system, and that has not been settled in the published findings3.
What happens next
MCS said it intended to deliver three outcomes from the umbrella scheme consultation during the first half of 2022: guidance to certification bodies on identifying and assessing umbrella schemes, a report on umbrella scheme best practice, and an assessment of customer protection against MCS 001-1 that may lead to changes to MCS 001-1 and MGD 0013. MCS also said it would seek more evidence from umbrella scheme operators early in 20223.
Sources3 cited
- MCS announces key changes to its Heat Pump Standard - MCS, mcscertified.com
- Changes to the MCS Heat Pump Standard, altoenergy.co.uk
- Findings of the Umbrella Scheme Consultation - MCS, mcscertified.com