UK Heat Pump Finder
What MCS actually is
MCS (the Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is the UK's independent, government-recognised quality mark for small-scale renewable technologies — heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage, and similar. It's been running since 2007 and is overseen independently of any single manufacturer or installer.
MCS certifies two separate things, and both matter:
- The product — the specific heat pump model has been tested against recognised performance and safety standards.
- The installer — the business has been independently assessed for technical competence against the relevant installation standard (MIS 3005 for heat pumps), carries the required insurance, and is subject to ongoing audits.
Why it's non-negotiable for the grant
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is explicit about this: the grant can only be claimed through an MCS-certified installer, fitting an MCS-certified heat pump. There's no workaround or exception. If an installer isn't currently MCS certified, they simply cannot process a BUS grant claim for you — whatever else they might promise.
What certification actually requires of an installer
This is a genuinely rigorous process, not a box-ticking exercise:
- Membership of an approved Consumer Code (this protects your deposit if the installer's business closes before your job is finished, and gives you access to independent mediation if something goes wrong)
- Professional indemnity insurance, on top of standard public liability — since MCS installers are "designing" your system (calculating your home's heat loss and sizing accordingly), not just fitting a fixed product
- A site-based installation assessment by an independent certification body
- Ongoing audits, not just a one-off sign-off
- A minimum 6-year Insurance Backed Guarantee on the completed installation, as of 2026 standards
How to check an installer's MCS status yourself
Don't just take a certificate shown to you at face value — certification can lapse, and it's easy to verify independently in under a minute:
- Go to the official MCS installer checker at mcscertified.com
- Search by the installer's business name or your postcode
- Confirm their certification is current (not expired or lapsed) and covers the specific technology you need — heat pump certification is separate from, say, solar PV certification
Every installer listed on UK Heat Pump Finder shows an MCS badge where we've been able to confirm current certification — but it's still worth checking directly yourself before signing anything, since certification status can change.
What happens after installation
Once your system is commissioned, your installer issues you an MCS certificate for the completed installation. Keep this safe — you'll need it both as your record for the grant claim and as proof of standard-compliant installation if you ever need it for insurance, a future house sale, or warranty purposes.
Ready to see what the grant is actually worth for your situation, and exactly how the application works?
Read: the BUS grant application, step by step →