The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has been approved as a certification scheme for the UK’s Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) launched on April 1st. The CHMM aims to promote the development of low-carbon electric heat pumps and requires manufacturers of gas and oil boilers to install heat pumps in existing properties in proportion to their sales of fossil fuel boilers. Manufacturers can meet this target by installing heat pumps themselves or obtaining credits from other manufacturers. The scheme will run until at least 2029 and applies to the entire UK.
To ensure the quality of heat pump installations, all installations under the scheme must be registered on the MCS Installation Database (MID). This registration provides assurance that installations are genuine and meets industry-recognised standards. In addition, MCS certification ensures that installers are certified and use certified products. According to MCS CEO Ian Rippin, the MCS certification scheme is crucial in ensuring consumer protection and confidence in home-grown energy.