Was your heat pump installed by an MCS accredited installer?
Just gathering some more information on an article we're writing for Renewable Heating Hub, looking at MCS specifically.
Just wanted to find out how many people went with an MCS accredited installer, and why they opted for one if they did. Was it solely about being able to get RHI payments, or did you also consider them because they would be more competent than a non-MCS accredited installer? Or was it something else.
Buy a copy of the The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast
I selected an MCS registered installer.
As you say Mars, the key reason is to receive the RHI grant. But it is not the only one. Others included:
- Level of professionalism and ongoing commitment. It takes some effort and reviews to be MCS registered. So I think this shows your commitment to your industry.
- I have experience of MCS from my 9 year old solar PV. And whilst they were fitted by cowboys (big hats, horses, the works), it brings a level of comfort to the paperwork and processes they employed. And an independent insurance if everything goes wrong.
- Finally, the installer I picked was also a trainer of other installers. He provided MCS support to smaller companies that couldn't deal with all the MCS paperwork. I took this as a VERY positive message
Daikin Altherma 3H HT 12kWh ASHP with Mixergy h/w cylinder; 4kW solar PV with Solic 200 electric diverter; Honda e and new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N electric vehicles with Myenergi Zappi mk1 charger
Am curious.
The RHI is finishing next year for new applications, to be replaced by a single upfront amount of up to £4000.
Would those who have installed ashp under the RHI scheme still have done it if the RHI had never been available?
Without RHI and with no other financial help, no. With £4k? Don't know but possibly not. RHI gives you about 60% of the cost of a complete ASHP system. £4k is about 25%. OTOH, if you have an oil system and you need a new boiler anyway, £4k will go a fair way to covering the difference between that replacement and an ASHP.
We are only considering MCS accredited installers - largely for the RHI but also because we hope/trust that they have the competence to do the installation correctly. We have 6 estimates so far and they are all MCS accredited installers.
Posted by: @jeffAm curious.
The RHI is finishing next year for new applications, to be replaced by a single upfront amount of up to £4000.
Would those who have installed ashp under the RHI scheme still have done it if the RHI had never been available?
Probably not. But the industry’s argument is that prices were overinflated because of RHI. They reckon prices will drop in relation to decreases in funding. Will be interesting to see if that actually happens or if installers will continue to cash in.
Buy a copy of the The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast
Ours is MCS, because of the RHI component. 100% of the cost of installing we'll get back. I imagine it'll be like solar. Prices have fallen quite a bit since the subsidies ended. An ASHP is basically and AC unit. Our installer is taking 2 days to install, I think he said the hardware is 60% of the cost as the GHG caps the labour cost at no more than 40% of the total cost, so I cant really see how 2 days work is £4k - as its £10k all in. The guy is paying himself £2k a day, lets say 2 of them, that's around £120/hr each, for an 8hr day.
Posted by: @bataltoOurs is MCS, because of the RHI component. 100% of the cost of installing we'll get back. I imagine it'll be like solar. Prices have fallen quite a bit since the subsidies ended. An ASHP is basically and AC unit. Our installer is taking 2 days to install, I think he said the hardware is 60% of the cost as the GHG caps the labour cost at no more than 40% of the total cost, so I cant really see how 2 days work is £4k - as its £10k all in. The guy is paying himself £2k a day, lets say 2 of them, that's around £120/hr each, for an 8hr day.
Without sounding cynical (and maybe I'm being a bit under), but this is why installers are always fully booked, because they just need to do one installation a week (2-3 days) to make ends meet.
Buy a copy of the The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast
https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/does-mcs-accreditation-guarantee-competent-heat-pump-installations
Thoughts and feedback welcome.
Buy a copy of the The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our Homeowners’ Q&A heat pump podcast
@batalto goodness - your installation costs seem really low compared with ours which range from £17k to 22k 😯
@jennyross it's a 12kw midea unit and tank. The extra work is really minimal. It's going outside the current boiler room and tapping into all the existing pipework. Likewise there is already a tank which is being swapped. All the pipework will be reused. The installer said it's super easy for him - the biggest job is swapping the tanks and drilling through the outside wall into our current boiler room.
- 26 Forums
- 2,204 Topics
- 48.6 K Posts
- 196 Online
- 5,859 Members
Join Us!
Podcast Picks
Latest Posts
-
RE: Testing new controls/monitoring for Midea Clone ASHP
@benson - how are you using plotly? I directly write th...
By cathodeRay , 2 hours ago
-
RE: How to Understand Wiring Up a Heat Pump
Morning, On top of what everyone else I would deffo loo...
By Grantmethestrength , 2 hours ago
-
Feel free to pass on my comment above. Even if it were...
By JamesPa , 2 hours ago
-
RE: Help me keep the faith with my air source heat pump installation
@adamk I have seen the openenergymonitor thread, in fac...
By JamesPa , 2 hours ago
-
@editor He couldn't give me a definitive date but hoped...
By bontwoody , 5 hours ago
-
RE: Sizing a heat pump: Save me from my headache
Got the results back from the one we’re ...
By Mikeatthezoo , 13 hours ago
-
Very funny @transparent. /p>
By JamesPa , 1 day ago
-
RE: How can I programme a setback for my Samsung Gen6 8kW heat pump?
@mike-h what I don't understand about this setback cont...
By richdorm , 1 day ago
-
RE: Renewables & Heat Pumps in the News
Thanks Lucia. I'll set aside some time to go through th...
By Transparent , 2 days ago
-
RE: Do I just go with the lowest quote for my heat pump?
Seems to be settling better now I'll leave it alone
By Jancold , 2 days ago
-
RE: Bosch CS5800i 5kW - Experience So Far
We do like the exhaust air heat pump as a centralised M...
By Steelbadger , 2 days ago
-
RE: Solar Thermal DHW and ASHP
@kenbone how is your battery holding up Ken? Still goin...
By Mars , 3 days ago
-
RE: Air source heat pump roll call – what heat pump brand and model do you have?
Old Samsung R410a unit 9kw, modbused controlled, let Ha...
By KenBone , 3 days ago
-
RE: Replacement Inverter for old FIT system
@bontwoody I have a single string 3kW solar AC inverter...
By Old_Scientist , 3 days ago
-
Octopus removed our gas meter for free a couple of year...
By robl , 3 days ago
-