Microgeneration Certification Scheme

The Renewable Heat Incentive is only available to domestic installations if MCS certified equipment is used and the equipment is installed by an MCS certified installer following the Microgeneration Installation Standard for heat pump systems: MIS 3005.

Only heat pumps (or other heat generation appliances) up to 45 kWth capacity can be certified as MCS approved equipment. However, an MCS certified installer can design, install and certify systems with a heat demand of up to 70 kWth by using more than one heat pump. If greater capacity is called for the MCS installer can install more than one heat pump if the capacity requirement is larger than 45 kWth. An MCS installer who can demonstrate competency may also install multiple MCS installations of up to 70 kWth within a given property: and it may not be necessary for these multiple areas to be hydraulically separated.

Microgeneration Installation Standard: MIS 3005

MIS 3005 spells out the requirements for contractors undertaking the supply, design, installation, commissioning and handover of microgeneration heat pump systems under the following headings:

  • SCOPE
  • DEFINITIONS
  • REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CERTIFICATED CONTRACTOR
    • Capability
    • Quality management system
    • Sub contracting
    • Consumer code of practice
  • DESIGN AND INSTALLATION REQUIREMENT
    • Regulations
    • Design and installation
    • System Performance
    • Site specific issues
    • Commissioning
    • Documentation
    • Equipment
  • COMPETENCE OF STAFF
  • HANDOVER REQUIREMENTS

The full text of MIS 3005 Heat Pump Systems5.0

The full text of MIS 3005 Heat Pump Systems4.3 previous version

There are also three supplementary guides:

All MCS installations of heat pumps are also required to meet GSHPA Standards.

Ground Source Heat Pump Association


ICAX Projects using heat pumps:

Toddington | Howe Dell | Hiroshima | HMP Garth | Merton IGC | Suffolk One | Tesco | Wellington