What is the microgeneration certification scheme?

Microgeneration certification scheme for UK installers

The microgeneration certification scheme (MCS) is a valuable initiative for heating engineers with recent statistics showing that far fewer UK households are using gas central heating systems to heat their homes.

The popularity of renewable heating continues to grow. There are several reasons for this including financial savings, better efficiency, and lower usage.

If you’re a gas engineer, now is the perfect time to register as an MCS accredited installer.

What is an MCS accredited installer?

As an MCS accredited installer, you must undergo assessment to ensure that you meet the required industry standards.

The microgeneration certification scheme promotes quality of both installers and products and is independently assessed by recognised industry organisations such as NAPIT, OFTEC, and CERTSURE.

There are five stages of becoming an MCS accredited installer.

1. Familiarisation with the standards

All MCS installers are assessed against the specific standards of the products they will install.

Before beginning your application, you should ensure that you and your company are up to date will all the essential MCS information.

2. Competency assessment

Any company wishing to install MCS approved technology have a certified MCS installer for each specific technology you want to install.

Installers must demonstrate competency and have a thorough understanding of the technology, how it is installed, and how it works.

3. Quality management system (QMS)

All MCS registered companies must put in place an operational QMS.

This should be appropriate for the size of your business and provide details of how you manage the quality of all installations.

4. Customer care

All CMS installers must commit to providing outstanding levels of customer care. To demonstrate commitment, MCS installation companies must join one of the following organisations:

• Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC)
• Home Insulation & Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES)

Both organisations are industry recognised and will ensure that you comply with the high consumer protection standards.

5. Certification application

Finally, you must apply to a certification body to become MCS accredited. A certification body will assess your company and inspect an installation that you have completed.

They will ensure that all works meet MCS standards and having done so, will award you with certification.

Please be aware that different certification bodies charge different membership prices.

Low carbon technologies under the MCS scheme

The aim of MCS is to decarbonise the UK’s domestic heat and power usage. It will do this by promoting high quality across the renewables sector.

As a heating engineer, becoming MCS accredited will protect your future and help you to grow your skillset and offer your customers the latest alternative heating technologies.

The following products are covered under the MCS initiative:

• Solar photovoltaic panels (PV)
• Air source heat pumps
• Battery storage
• Biomass boilers
• Small scale wind turbines
• Micro combined heat and power (MCHP) technology
• Exhaust air heat pumps
• Ground source and water source heat pumps
• Solar heating and solar assisted heat pumps

As mentioned above, during the microgeneration certification scheme application process, you will assign an installer for one or more of these products.

They will then receive the appropriate training and product specific information.

MCS installations for new-build and retro-fit projects

If you work in the new-build housing sector, you will probably already be aware of the use of renewables.

Most property developers are now using a wide range of renewable energy products when building new homes.

Renewable energy is also becoming a more common option for homeowners when replacing their home heating systems.

Whichever industry you specialise in, becoming MCS accredited will help you to win more work and future proof your business by upskilling your team.

Benefits of MCS accreditation

Becoming MCS accredited is a great way to ensure your business is ready for the global transition towards renewable energy.

Across the UK there are currently around 2,000 registered MCS installers. This number looks set to grow exponentially in the next few years as energy targets become closer.

As an MCS installer, you will enjoy the following benefits:

• Guaranteed product quality
• Proof of installer competence
• Consumer protection
• Eligibility for financial schemes

As renewable technology undergoes further innovations, as an MCS installer, you will be at the forefront of all the latest developments.

Financial incentives for MCS installations

As an MCS installer, you will be able to offer your customers access to government backed financial support.

The latest and most comprehensive government scheme for converting to renewable energy is the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).

BUS is a government scheme that enables eligible homeowners to receive grants of up to £6,000 to replace their old boiler with a heat pump or biomass boiler.

Under the scheme, only MCS installers can carry out the work and installers must also apply directly to Ofgem to access support on behalf of their homeowner customers.

Getting the most out of renewable energy services with Checkatrade

If you want to stay ahead of the game and find more work in the renewable home heating sector, joining Checkatrade could be the best decision you’ll ever make.

As a Checkatrade member, you can dip into the existing customer searches that come our way for MCS related products and services. On top of that you’ll also get regular updates about any regulation changes, product releases, and financial packages being launched.

There are a number of other perks you might want to consider, such as:

• Discounts on tools and equipment (at places like Wickes and Selco)
• Professional advice on the best options for growing your business locally
• Guarantee for your work if booked through us (T&Cs apply)
• Savings on your public liability insurance
• Access to our trades app – for on-the-go job management, invoicing and more
• Fantastic offer on business-specific software such as Quickbooks

Join Checkatrade today and start your journey towards success in the renewable energy sector.