If the BUS goes, I see a lot of hest pump companies going bust. Im currently still trying to fix my install. Im now worried that if the BUS goes, the company won’t survive and I’ll be stuck.  

god I wish I had put a gas boiler in. I actually see this as one of the bigger mistakes ive made over the years. 

Posted by: @temperature_gradient

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If the Government remove the grant then they should also be removing some of rigid and inflexible installation standards which push up the cost of installations, adding flexibility to bring down the cost of installations.

They have already done that if you don't take (or there is no) grant! (in England, I cannot comment on NI, Scotland or Wales) 

The 'rigid and inflexible installation standards' you refer to are the MCS design/installation standards. 

Prior to May 2025 conformance to MCS design and installation standards was a requirement to benefit from permitted development rights.  The changes that were made to the PD rights in May 2025 had the effect of removing the requirement that the installation be performed by and MCS installer to MCS standards, other than the noise standard.

You have to read the documents carefully to realise this and, oddly enough, MCS haven't advertised it, but it is undoubtedly the case.

So on this occasion your wish is granted!

Posted by: @davidnolan22

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I see a lot of hest pump companies going bust. Im currently still trying to fix my install. Im now worried that if the BUS goes, the company won’t survive and I’ll be stuck.  

god I wish I had put a gas boiler in. I actually see this as one of the bigger mistakes ive made over the years. 

You were supposed to get an insurance backed guarantee to guard against this.  The 'grant chasers' will indeed go bust, their business model is based on this and that it happens eventually is more or less a certainty.  The good guys will remain.

The same happened with solar panels.  That's probably why and insurance backed guarantee was a condition of both the heat pump and solar panel schemes thus affording a degree of consumer protection when eventually and inevitably the grant chasers wound up.

Whats the (remaining) problem(s) with your heat pump installation.  Properly done a heat pump should deliver greater comfort for around the same cost (or less) than a gas boiler.  Unfortunately the heating industry has not delivered this consistently, but that does not mean that it is not possible, particularly once warranties expire and you can do the right thing rather than whatever arbitrary abomination might have been imposed by your installer.

Posted by: @jamespa

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Prior to May 2025 conformance to MCS design and installation standards was a requirement to benefit from permitted development rights.  The changes that were made to the PD rights in May 2025 had the effect of removing the requirement that the installation be performed by and MCS installer to MCS standards, other than the noise standard.

But in practice, doesn't the need for Building Regs approval typically force you to comply with MCS? Because MCS as a competent person scheme can self-certify their installations, but that requires the installation follows their standards. If done outside of MCS, then it needs Building Regs sign off and when I spoke to my local Building Control department, they didn't know much about heat pumps and really didn't want to get involved, basically said they'd need to get it signed off by an MCS / heat-pump specialist. 

So while in theory, installations might not need to follow MCS standards to the letter, I suspect in practice given the state of the industry and building control, they may default to following MCS.

Posted by: @temperature_gradient

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Posted by: @jamespa

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Prior to May 2025 conformance to MCS design and installation standards was a requirement to benefit from permitted development rights.  The changes that were made to the PD rights in May 2025 had the effect of removing the requirement that the installation be performed by and MCS installer to MCS standards, other than the noise standard.

But in practice, doesn't the need for Building Regs approval typically force you to comply with MCS? Because MCS as a competent person scheme can self-certify their installations, but that requires the installation follows their standards. If done outside of MCS, then it needs Building Regs sign off and when I spoke to my local Building Control department, they didn't know much about heat pumps and really didn't want to get involved, basically said they'd need to get it signed off by an MCS / heat-pump specialist. 

So while in theory, installations might not need to follow MCS standards to the letter, I suspect in practice given the state of the industry and building control, they may default to following MCS.

 

If it is anything like gas boilers in my experience not having building control sign off doesn't appear to be a big deal?

I recently sold my late mum's house, the boiler install wasn't registered. 

The indemnity insurance cost me £30... and everyone was happy. 

Posted by: @temperature_gradient

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Posted by: @jamespa

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Prior to May 2025 conformance to MCS design and installation standards was a requirement to benefit from permitted development rights.  The changes that were made to the PD rights in May 2025 had the effect of removing the requirement that the installation be performed by and MCS installer to MCS standards, other than the noise standard.

But in practice, doesn't the need for Building Regs approval typically force you to comply with MCS? Because MCS as a competent person scheme can self-certify their installations, but that requires the installation follows their standards. If done outside of MCS, then it needs Building Regs sign off and when I spoke to my local Building Control department, they didn't know much about heat pumps and really didn't want to get involved, basically said they'd need to get it signed off by an MCS / heat-pump specialist. 

So while in theory, installations might not need to follow MCS standards to the letter, I suspect in practice given the state of the industry and building control, they may default to following MCS.

 

How exactly?  Building regulations require heating installations to be designed efficiently etc., and the legal requirement is to conform to building regulations not to have them signed off (other than in a limited number of generally safety-related cases SOFAIK, which are either notifiable by a competent person or must actually be signed off).  

I may be wrong but I cant see that this is actually law.  MCS may want to claim it is, but is it?

So, for example, a UVC must be installed by a competent person who can self-certify, or approved by the building inspector.  Similarly any fixed electrics which fall under part P.  Not so, so far as I am aware, anything else involved in a heat pump installation.

I may be wrong and will admit I am wrong if someone can produce the legal reference.

My experience of building inspectors incidentally is that they are quite reasonable, so even if it does need approval by a building inspector I think its likely you would find one (its a free choice) who will approve based on some sensible calculations/actual installed evidence.