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Renewables
Time to give renewables the same scrutiny as gas
Griff Thomas from GTEC makes the case for renewables regulation and explains why every low-carbon installer should be Microgeneration Certifi cation Scheme (MCS) certifi ed
A
s both the domestic and commercial sectors move away from
gas over the coming years, we need to apply the same scrutiny to low-carbon heating installations.
For more than 30 years, the British public has
benefi tted from gas safety regulations and standards concerning installation, maintenance and servicing. In 30 years from now, the heating landscape will have changed dramatically, with most UK buildings heated by low-carbon technologies, such as heat pumps. To make sure the low-carbon future achieves its potential, we need to make sure that all renewable heating installations are subject to the same high standards – starting now. Of course, the main reason for such strict gas
regulation is safety. CORGI was established in 1970 in response to the fatal Ronan Point gas explosion two years’ before, but the most common danger posed by gas is carbon monoxide poisoning. Renewable technologies, such as air source heat pumps (ASHPs), do not pose such risks. However, robust regulations and standards
are critical in building consumer confi dence, incentivising uptake and reducing the carbon footprint of our homes and buildings. Although not a legal requirement for low-carbon
installers, the MCS plays a vital role in protecting standards for small-scale renewable installations, certifying products and installers and working with government on low-carbon policies. For gas installers expanding into low-carbon technologies, the MCS Installer Scheme is a step in the right direction.
What is the MCS Installer Scheme and why do I need it?
MCS is an organisation that creates and maintains standards relating to low-carbon products, installers and installations. MCS certifi cation is a sign of excellence, demonstrating that the installation company works to the highest industry standards with every installation, using reliable and approved products. It covers the following technologies:
• Solar Photovoltaic (PV) • Solar Thermal • Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) and Air
DOWNLOAD THE HVR APP NOW December 2021 23 Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
• Biomass • Wind turbines • Combined Heat and Power (CHP) As an MCS certifi ed installation company, you will be able to issue MCS certifi cates to your customers which are required to take part in any government funding schemes and grants, and by some insurance companies, mortgage lenders and planning authorities. The Government recently announced it had set aside £3.9 billion to lower the cost of low-carbon heating systems through the Heat and Building Strategy, so it’s fair to say that most small-scale renewable installations over the next few years will be eligible to some level of funding. To take advantage of this growth in the market, installation companies must be MCS certifi ed.
Does MCS apply to commercial installations?
Both households and businesses with small-scale renewable technologies are entitled to be paid for exporting their excess electricity to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), including micro-CHP up to 50kw, wind and solar PV. MCS certifi cation is an eligibility requirement of the scheme, therefore, if businesses want to earn money from their low-carbon systems, they must be undertaken by an MCS installer. Its worth doing some research in your area to see what grants and funding are available locally. In Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire, for example, the Low Carbon Workspaces scheme off ers
small and medium sized businesses grants of up to £5,000 towards the cost of making energy effi ciency improvements in their commercial premises.
How do I apply?
Independent assessment by an approved certifi cation body is required to make sure the installation company complies with MCS criteria. Applications for MCS certifi cation can be made direct to the certifi cation body, a list of approved organisations is available on the MCS website. If you are unsure whether you meet the technical
specifi cation in MCS001, I recommend MCS Made Easy, an online tool launched by GTEC to assist installers through the MCS process. The fully integrated support package has been developed by people who helped write MCS standards and includes a webinar and supporting documentation, tutorials, Q&As and real-life scenarios to help get installation companies ready for assessment.
Support quality in your industry
As we move further away from carbon intensive heating systems, MCS will become an essential certifi cation for low-carbon heating installers. We know the Government plans to incentivise
uptake over the next 10 years and that MCS will be an eligibility requirement for current and future schemes, whether domestic or commercial, to ensure quality standards in both installation practices and products. It’s time for businesses to take the plunge.
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