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Help Stop the MCS Heat Pump Monopoly

Government Schemes, Regulations, Planning & Organisations

Last Post by Judith 1 month ago

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Mars

(@editor)

Illustrious Member Admin

Joined: 4 years ago

Posts: 3357

Topic starter 04/06/2025 8:23 am

Something’s happening behind the scenes that could have massive consequences for the renewable heating sector… and not in a good way.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a consultation proposing that MCS becomes the only certification scheme allowed for government-backed schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). That means no competition, no alternatives, no choice for homeowners or installers.

This move would effectively shut out Flexi-Orb, a legitimate, UKAS-accredited scheme that has been working hard to provide installers with an alternative and that I’ve been very impressed with based on off record conversations I’ve had with them. Both MCS and Flexi-Orb are recognised by UKAS as operating equivalent schemes under ISO standards, yet the government is now pushing for a single, protected monopoly.

Let’s be clear: MCS has had years to raise the bar. Installer quality? Still wildly inconsistent. Consumer protection? Patchy at best, with scores of homeowner horror stories on these forums.

Rather than fixing these issues or welcoming healthy competition, they’re closing ranks and DESNZ seems happy to go along with it.

This isn’t about which scheme you personally prefer, it’s about making sure the industry doesn’t get locked into a single provider, with no recourse, no innovation and no incentive to improve.

How you can help.

DESNZ is running a public consultation and your voice matters. If we don’t push back now, this will become policy.

Fill in the BUS consultation form here:

GOV.UK "https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/boiler-upgrade-scheme-and-certification-requirements-for-clean-heat-schemes/boiler-upgrade-scheme-and-certification-requirements-consultation-accessible-webpage"

Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certification requirements consultation (accessible webpage) - GOV.UK

Deadline is 11 June 2025.

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JamesPa

(@jamespa)

Illustrious Member Moderator

Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 2648

04/06/2025 11:12 am

Response done, thanks for flagging this.

4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.

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Majordennisbloodnok

(@majordennisbloodnok)

Noble Member Moderator

Joined: 4 years ago

Posts: 881

04/06/2025 11:46 am

Yup, done.

105 m2 bungalow in South East England
Mitsubishi Ecodan 8.5 kW air source heat pump
18 x 360W solar panels
1 x 6 kW GroWatt battery and SPH5000 inverter
1 x Myenergi Zappi
1 x VW ID3
Raised beds for home-grown veg and chickens for eggs

"Semper in excretia; sumus solum profundum variat"

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Sheriff Fatman

(@sheriff-fatman)

Estimable Member Member

Joined: 3 months ago

Posts: 52

04/06/2025 3:21 pm

Response sent. Thank you for highlighting the document.

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Judith

(@judith)

Prominent Member Member

Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 368

11/06/2025 2:55 pm

Response sent yesterday

2kW + Growatt & 4kW +Sunnyboy PV on south-facing roof Solar thermal. 9.5kWh Givenergy battery with AC3. MVHR. Vaillant 7kW ASHP (very pleased with it) open system operating on WC

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