Implementation of air-to-air heat pumps into MCS enters next phase

Following a period of review, UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) has approved updates to the redeveloped installer Scheme to incorporate air-to-air heat pumps. This means that MCS can now move on to the next stage of the process towards fully implementing air-to-air heat pump systems into the Scheme.

A number of MCS-certified air-to-air heat pump products are now available, ready for use in certified installations when the technology is fully brought into the scope of the Scheme. You can view these on the MCS Product Directory.

This means MCS can now move on to the next stage of implementation, which is to support MCS installer certification bodies (CBs) in progressing towards UKAS accreditation to allow them to offer air-to-air heat pump certification to installers.

Certsure (NICEIC) and NAPIT are the first two CBs that have expressed interest in applying for accreditation now, and MCS is working with both organisations and UKAS to expedite this process. While the timeline for this is outside of its direct control, MCS says it will continue to support and provide progress updates as the process moves forward.

MCS will now work with CBs that have shown intent to add air-to-air to their scope. As part of this, CBs will be required to demonstrate their ability to deliver air-to-air heat pump certification, in accordance with the Scheme requirements. To support the assessment process, each CB will select an installer who has completed an air-to-air heat pump installation. The selected installation will then be used to demonstrate the CB’s ability to assess and MCS certify the installer.

When will installers be able to offer air-to-air heat pumps under MCS?

Once installer certification bodies have gained accreditation through UKAS, installers will be able to apply for MCS certification for air-to-air heat pumps. A key part of this is installers demonstrating that they hold a Technical Supervisor with the appropriate competency.  This process is critical in ensuring that MCS-certified installations of air-to-air heat pump products deliver quality for consumers, by ensuring installers have the right skills, assessors can conduct their activities confidently, and the products used in installations meet industry-recognised standards.

As a reminder, the Technical Supervisor appointed by an installation business (as defined under the redeveloped installer Scheme in the Installer Operating Requirements) assigned to an air-to-air heat pump installation must hold competence in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (RACHP) at Level 3 (or above). There is more information on the competency requirements for air-to-air here. MCS recommends all interested installers use this time to get prepared.

MCS is also developing guidance for installers on communicating the key considerations and benefits of a certified air-to-air heat pump installation, which will be available by the time the first installers are certified for the technology. This includes the importance of highlighting the requirement that systems delivered under MCS must be optimised to deliver 100% of the property’s heating requirements.

MCS will continue to provide updates as it progresses towards fully implementing air-to-air heat pumps into the Scheme.

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