@mairia I think your case is going to be very interesting. I did my own MCS data/info request pertaining to our own system and I’ve been gobsmacked by MCS’s replies to me yesterday. I am extremely interested to hear what MCS tell you.

@transparent yes I'm sure I could do that. I can cut it outside and wear a mask so hopefully no concern about dust. I had a Google about ventilation in garages. The other concerns about no ventilation seem to be condensation in an unheated garage, and car fumes. The door is an insulated one but there are inevitably gaps so the garage is definitely not airtight. And my only car is an EV which I rarely put in the garage as although a 'double' garage it has a wall down the centre and the only side big enough for a car is pretty tight for a gen 2 Leaf. I'm happy to fit the insulation and monitor things, and as you say it can be readily removed.

Posted by: @editor

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I did my own MCS data/info request pertaining to our own system and I’ve been gobsmacked by MCS’s replies to me yesterday.

@mars  I'm surprised that anything related to MCS causes you to be gobsmacked at this stage, unless of course its super good.

Posted by: @editor

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I did my own MCS data/info request pertaining to our own system and I’ve been gobsmacked by MCS’s replies to me yesterday.

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I confess to being intrigued. As @jamespa says, I'm surprised you're gobsmacked but the fact you are suggests the possibility of a new post with more than a little colour to it.

@majordennisbloodnok colourful post coming soon, probably this weekend. It's little surprise the industry is in the state it is. Obfuscation, deflection and incompetence – a lethal mix!

I am very curious to hear if @mairia gets a similar response.

Posted by: @editor

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@majordennisbloodnok colourful post coming soon, probably this weekend. It's little surprise the industry is in the state it is. Obfuscation, deflection and incompetence – a lethal mix!

I am very curious to hear if @mairia gets a similar response.

Yes pretty much! Their response came in earlier today, not personalised at all to my situation - 

"Thank you for getting in touch.
I am sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your installation.
MCS are a standards organisation for the installation of low carbon technologies. It is a requirement that all MCS contractors are a member of a consumer code. The consumer code aims to promote consumer interests by setting out the principles of effective customer service and protection. It goes above and beyond consumer law obligations and sets a higher standard.
Your Installer’s Consumer Code can assist with pre-sale and contractual issues, this may include:
• Communication issues and customer service problems
• System installed is not what was agreed in the contract
• Wrong brand of product
• Damage to property
• Failure to refund a deposit or advance payment
• Incomplete installation and/or contract
• Incorrect provision of information relating to eligibility, deadlines or application procedures for grants or other incentive schemes
• Deposit insurance or insurance backed guarantee
• Misleading information regarding the financial benefit of the system
• Potential breaches of the Consumer Code
• System faults arising during the period of the insurance backed guarantee
Your installer Flo Group Ltd T/A Flo Renewables is a member of the consumer code HIES. I would recommend contacting HIES directly regarding the issues you have raised as they fall within the consumer codes remit."

Mars, I can send on the full email which lets you see what was in my submission to them. Pretty disappointing as the problems include MCS certificates issued in their name and the missing original heat loss calculation which I asked if they could provide. But not surprising! I'm happy to approach HIES now unless it's worth pushing things with MCS?

@mairia it's mind-blowing. Much like my correspondence that just make up stuff to answer that has nothing to do with the original questions. 

Yes, please send me your original email and their reply.

If you could do me a favour, can you please send them an email in reply to the latest one asking them once again to access the MCS system and send you the heat loss calc. Spoiler alert, they're not going to do it, but I'd really like to get another MCS reply saying this (and what their justification is). 

Posted by: @editor

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@mairia it's mind-blowing. Much like my correspondence that just make up stuff to answer that has nothing to do with the original questions. 

Yes, please send me your original email and their reply.

If you could do me a favour, can you please send them an email in reply to the latest one asking them once again to access the MCS system and send you the heat loss calc. Spoiler alert, they're not going to do it, but I'd really like to get another MCS reply saying this (and what their justification is). 

No problem, I'll get that done. Many thanks

@editor If the cert does not exist then this may step outside of consumer rights!

@mairia @editor  Here is what it says on the MCS front page under a heading 'What we do'

"MCS is the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy technologies like solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage. We have two main roles – setting and maintaining standards, and providing consumer protection".  Note that these are positioned as separate roles so they cant, it seems to me., claim that the way they provide consumer protection is by setting standards.

Perhaps you might consider asking them, in the light of their communication, to outline how they 'provide consumer protection'.

@jamespa, quite remarkably, they don't do either! They don't set or maintain standards, and they don't protect consumers.

@jamespa I was about to post the following when I saw your post.

I have been thinking about the definition of ‘Charity’ and the Googling AI threw up the following:

”A charity is a non-profit organization set up for exclusively charitable purposes that benefit the public. To have legal charity status, an organization must have objectives that fall under categories like relieving poverty, advancing education, or protecting the environment, and its trustees must carry out these purposes for the public good. Funding comes from donations, grants, and other fundraising activities, with all money used to support the charity's specific cause.”

I cannot help feeling that it is time the Charities Commission woke up to the goings on (and the not-going ons) at MCS as they obviously fall short of the definition and thus the CM’s requirements.

Just a thought, Toodles.