A Call for Fair and Legal Heat Pump Installations in the UK
Please consider responding to this consultation if you believe that the installation of heat pumps should be legalised in the UK.
- The Department of Energy and Sustainable Net Zero (DESNZ) authorised the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to establish the regulations for Permitted Development (MCS 20).
- MCS has stipulated in their standard that heat pumps must be installed by MCS-certified contractors to comply with legal requirements.
- This regulation effectively makes it illegal for anyone to install a heat pump without obtaining planning permission.
DESNZ initially intended for MCS to develop "a noise standard." Under this guideline, if heat pumps were sufficiently small and quiet, they could be installed under Permitted Development. However, MCS seems determined to be the sole standard authority, restricting heat pump installation exclusively to MCS members. They have added extra requirements to the noise standard, effectively barring non-MCS installers from utilizing Permitted Development.
This approach is problematic. Planning Permission typically concerns visual and noise impact, not the qualifications of the installer. The appearance and sound output are what matter, not who installs the equipment. The Planning Rules for heat pumps should reflect this principle. MCS needs to eliminate the inadvertent requirement that effectively restricts Permitted Development to MCS members.
Your input in the consultation is crucial to clarify this situation. It will help determine whether this is an unintentional error or a deliberate attempt by MCS to monopolise heat pump installations.
Unfortunately, the MCS consultation form does not provide an option to suggest simplifications or streamlining of this process. Therefore, it's recommended to email your response directly to MCS, requesting confirmation that your input is acknowledged, despite not using the official form.
Addressing this issue is vital. If the regulation is intentionally restrictive, it's no longer a mere oversight but an abuse of the authority granted to MCS by the government.
Pre-order: The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast
so they are consulting on certain questions, but they aren't actually asking the question that we think they should ask, and the idea is for lots of people to respond to the consultation, challenging with a specific question along the lines of "I think you need to change this part of the standard as well"
for the avoidance of doubt you are referring to MCS020 clause 3.1(b) right?
My octopus signup link https://share.octopus.energy/ebony-deer-230
210m2 house, Samsung 16kw Gen6 ASHP Self installed: Single circulation loop , PWM modulating pump.
My public ASHP stats: https://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=45
11.9kWp of PV
41kWh of Battery storage (3x Powerwall 2)
2x BEVs
@iancalderbank, valid point.
As a complete aside, I couldn’t help notice “41kWh of Battery storage (3x Powerwall 2)” in your signature. That is mightily impressive.
Pre-order: The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast
There's a related change in regulations which will affect what MCS may do in future.
During 2024 there will be a new Independent System Operator and Planner (ISOP, aka Future System Operator) who will be responsible for operating all energy networks in GB (excl N. Ireland). They will also take on the role for advising HMG, and must implement strategies which result in us attaining Net Zero by 2050.
To provide regional input and democratic accountability, there are to be 14 Regional Energy Strategic Planning bodies (RESPs), whose remit and responsibilities are currently subject to an Ofgem consultation.
Note that the word 'Plan' occurs within the role of both the ISOP and RESPs.
I foresee that the ability of MCS to dictate matters regarding planning will need to be curtailed in favour of the ISOP who is actually required to deliver the 2050 objectives, which include Net Zero domestic heating.
It is also increasingly unlikely that a Local Planning Authority (LPA) can be expected to appraise Applications which are substantially related to energy. It matters not whether that's a homeowner wanting a heat pump or an entire offshore wind farm. On which point, have a look at this announcement from North Devon Council on 19th Dec, who are grappling with a highly contentious planning application to bring ashore an electricity cable through an SSSI:
An LPA simply doesn't have the time or experience to handle applications on such a wide range of size and differing technologies.
Perhaps there needs to be a new approach whereby any Application which is substantially energy-based must be assessed by both the LPA and the regional RESP. They could then issue guidance under which the majority of householder HP Applications can be granted consent under Delegated Authority, regardless of whether the installation is to be undertaken by an MCS-accredited company, or is DIY.
I've recently submitted evidence to the Commons Select Committee on ESNZ, detailing thirteen reasons why current planning regulations are inadequate to accept/reject energy applications.
I can post these here if you wish.
We live in a democracy. Whilst Parliament seems to be in the mood to devolve energy planning and implementation to us, then the least we should do is to respond to the consultations and tell them what we require in order to achieve Net Zero.
Save energy... recycle electrons!
I must say, the MCS020 seems to me quite a straightforward calculation as it is set out at present. It takes 3 minutes to complete. There is room for improvement and clarity on some elements but I can't see a case for simplification. Noise can be a serious issue and installers need to take time to properly assess it. I think at times calls for simplification are founded in a feeling that the test is s bit of a nuisance and frustrating to have to plan round rather than embracing it and avoiding placement where issues could occur.
If it is the content/calculations that are flawed, that's one thing (if the DENSZ research is anything to go by, these need to be tightened), but anyone could do the calculation.
I do think that if another body other than MCS is able to certify then standards must be aligned & the bodies must be brought more into public accountability eg FoI etc. Overall MCS compliance is a requirement of the Town and Country Planning Act and that's the law *inserts picture of John Thaw in the Sweeney*.
- 26 Forums
- 2,152 Topics
- 47.2 K Posts
- 71 Online
- 5,671 Members
Join Us!
Podcast Picks
Latest Posts
-
RE: Solar Power Output – Let’s Compare Generation Figures
6.1 kW system 797 kWh produced Aug 2025 72...
By NJT , 12 minutes ago
-
RE: Midea ASHP – how to set weather compensation
I'm guessing these are the mcs defaults which are likel...
By JamesPa , 15 minutes ago
-
RE: A Customer's Lessons Learnt from a Heat Pump Installation in a Large House
@temperature_gradient And then there's the running c...
By Lucia , 19 minutes ago
-
RE: New Vaillant aroTherm Plus in black - When will it come to the UK?
Hope they know what they're doing regarding paint types...
By PatrickVito , 34 minutes ago
-
RE: What crazy nonsense are inverter limits and why are they imposed?
I’ve also got a dual fuel Rangemaster. We originally ha...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 3 hours ago
-
RE: Octopus tariffs - a quick comparison
@tim441 I’d agree wholeheartedly with that, with 2 x Po...
By Toodles , 4 hours ago
-
RE: Electricity price predictions
@bontwoody Maybe one for @editor to consider whether a ...
By ChandyKris , 10 hours ago
-
RE: is a home battery without an EV worth it?
You would think, but when I had my Powerwall 3 installe...
By Old_Scientist , 10 hours ago
-
@mars That response surely deserves a nomination for Tu...
By JamesPa , 23 hours ago
-
Specifying batteries, pv solar etc using ChatGPT
I thought I'd try to use ChatGPT to specify my requirem...
By Tim441 , 1 day ago
-
RE: Ecodan & MelCloud scheduling
When I interviewed Mitsubishi Electric at Installer ear...
By Mars , 1 day ago
-
RE: Rodents! A word of warning for heat pump owners
@lucia One look at that protection and the rodents will...
By Toodles , 1 day ago
-
What is the Heat Geek Guarantee?
We regularly hear from homeowners who are researching i...
By Mars , 2 days ago
-
RE: Help me keep the faith with my air source heat pump installation
@adamk, interesting point. I’ve not focused much on Hea...
By Mars , 2 days ago
-
Intelligent Octopus Flux (IOF) Review
I promised @toodles that I would provide an update and ...
By Old_Scientist , 2 days ago
-
RE: Who's your electricity provider and what's your tariff?
I am pleased to see the change. We definitely need t...
By Jeff , 3 days ago
-
RE: How Do I Know When the Hot Water Has Run Out?
@transparent that is a very interesting suggestion, tha...
By GrahamF , 4 days ago
-
RE: The good, the bad and the not that great – my heat pump installation
Sorry to resurrect this thread, but it is sort of relev...
By cathodeRay , 4 days ago
-
RE: Getting the best out of a heat pump - is Homely a possible answer?
I missed your 22nd June post on this. I am sure it can ...
By cathodeRay , 4 days ago