Microgeneration Certification Scheme – MCS
The MCS is linked to financial incentives including Feed in Tariffs for microgeneration of electricity and the RHI for the microgeneration of heat in domestic properties.
The Domestic RHI, which was launched on 9 April 2014, provides annual financial incentives for owners of domestic buildings who generate renewable heat, including heat from ground source heat pump installations.
The Domestic RHI is only available to domestic owners who have heat pumps installed by MCS certified installers. Heat pumps with a rated capacity of up to 45KW can be MCS certified.
The installer must install following the guidance in MIS 3005 Heat Pump Systems: the Microgeneration Installation Standards for heat pumps.
This is supplemented by the MIS 3005 Ground Loop Sizing Tables and the Heat Emitter Guide.
MCS Guidance on domestic renewable heating threshholds
MCS has published guidance on how to apply the revised thresholds for MCS installations. These apply for installations since 16 December 2013. Although only individual heating appliances of up to 45 kWth can gain MCS certification, MCS certified installers can design, install and certify systems with a heat demand of up to 70 kWth by using more than one certified appliance. An MCS installer who can demonstrate competency may also install multiple MCS installations of up to 70 kWth within a given property: and it may not be necessary for these multiple areas to be hydraulically separated.
Installation of Ground Source Heat Pumps
To get the full benefit of a GSHP installation you will need to employ someone with design and installation experience. A ground source heat pump may not perform well unless it is incorporated in a good design by someone who understands the needs of the building, the use to which the building is being put and the local geology.
For more information on installation of ground source heating from an experienced source please contact one of our members.