If you’re a heating installer looking to move into renewables or you’ve just qualified in heat pumps or solar PV, you might be wondering what MCS certification is and whether you need it.
What is MCS?
MCS stands for Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
As an organisation, they create and maintain standards relating to low-carbon products, installers and installations.
MCS accreditation is a sign of excellence in a renewable installer.
It demonstrates that a company or its employees are competent to install a range of small-scale renewable and low-carbon technologies, including solar PV, solar thermal, biomass boilers, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and battery storage.
It shows that installers are fully qualified and are working to the highest industry standards.
What is an MCS Certificate?
It is a document produced to the customer by the installer within 10 days of commissioning.
It shows that their low-carbon system has been designed, installed and commissioned to the highest standards, by an MCS certified installer using MCS approved appliances.
Is MCS certification a legal requirement?
Unlike the Gas Safe Register, MCS accreditation is not a legal requirement for installers undertaking renewable installations.
However, consumers will require a certificate if they are applying for financial funding through an incentive scheme.
This includes the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), Clean Heat Grant and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which replaces the Feed in Tariff (FiT) for new renewable systems.
Why should I get certified?
MCS certification demonstrates a commitment to quality and compliance.
It provides assurance to customers when they are about to spend a considerable sum of money renewable installation.
Your business will benefit from MCS branding on vehicles and marketing materials.
MCS certificates enable consumers to access financial incentive schemes and may be required by some mortgage companies before lending on a property.
Being part of MCS ensures your customers are protected by a Trading Standards Institute (TSI) Approved Code of Practice.
How do I become an MCS certified installer?
You can apply for MCS accreditation through an approved Certification Body, who will assess your work against MCS standards and specific technical standards relating to the technology.
You will be required to join a TSI approved consumer code, for example, the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC). You must demonstrate your competency through RQF qualifications or by completing a comprehensive portfolio of relevant work, and you must deploy a Quality Management System (QMS).
Get help with MCS!
At first glance, it can appear to be a daunting process, however, help is out there!
MCS Made Easy is the UK’s premier support package for installers wanting to achieve MCS Certification.
This ‘no nonsense’ webinar, written and presented by Chris Roberts (Technical Author of MCS001) demystifies the process and explains how to get through the accreditation journey in the quickest way possible – an absolute must for new applicants.
Register for MCS Made Easy today – first 200 places are free!
Find out more about MCS accreditation for installers
Take a look at our renewables training courses