Low Carbon Home 28

Feature

MCS support certified contractors with new insurance offer

MCS have collaborated with the Independent Warranty Association (IWA) and undertaken system development to enable contractors to raise an IBG for their consumer at the point of raising the MCS certificate for an installation.

Opinion

Carbon Trust report is good news for heat pump installers

A new report from the Carbon Trust, ‘Heat pump retrofit in London’, shows how heat pumps will have a critical role in tackling emissions from London’s buildings and delivering the Mayor’s 2030 net zero ambitions. If the Government does step up the investment, and deliver the policies needed to support this route, it would generate a significant amount of work for both installers of heat pumps and those involved in improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

News

MCS quality assurance at heart of Green Homes Grants

The latest government update opening the new Green Homes Grant scheme up to domestic renewable technology installations including Heat Pumps and Solar Thermal, places MCS certified contractors at its core to ensure quality.

News

Installation ease for Viessmann heat pump

Designed for ease of installation in the standard British heating system – the new Vitocal 100-A-air source heat pump, introduced by Viessmann, is ideal for the replacement of gas and oil boilers.

Opinion

HETAS responds to Heat Commission policy

Bruce Allen, CEO of HETAS and Woodsure, responds to the Heat Commission policy, convened by the CBI and University of Birmingham, with input from leading industry figures, calling the Government to develop a National Delivery Body (NDB) to lead the development and implementation of a national heat decarbonisation strategy.

Feature

Policy report calls for national delivery to decarbonise heat

Heat is the largest single source of UK carbon emissions, accounting for over one-third whilst decarbonising heat stands as one of the most significant challenges in reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. To overcome this challenge it is vital business, government, regulators and communities work together to shape the policies and delivery mechanisms that will be needed.

News

MCS hits back at Clean Heat Grant proposals

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has called for a review of the limited £100 million funding that government has provisionally made available for its proposed Clean Heat Grant scheme (CHGS).

News

Government set to ramp up smart meter installations

Annual milestones and a six month extension for energy suppliers is set to be part of a four-year policy framework set out by the government to ensure that all reasonable measures to install smart meters in households and small businesses have been taken.

News

Government urged to make £5bn green energy pledge

Business and public leaders from across the UK have united to call on government to pledge £5 billion towards retrofitting local renewable energy systems and energy efficiency measures.

News

Signs of recovery for domestic renewable installations

The chief executive of MCS said he could see some early signs of recovery in the UK’s domestic renewable energy installation market as the government’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions begin to lift, but warned investment in a green economy was needed to increase economic and environmental resilience.

Opinion

Installers to play a key part in low carbon heating transition

A new report from Leeds University revealed the top ten ways to reduce our carbon footprint this month and it is no surprise to see heat pumps on the list. The lead author of the study, Dr Diana Ivanova echoed what many have been calling for well before the health crisis began. Over the last few months, our lives have transformed beyond comprehension and yet government guidelines have quickly become the ‘norm’ for many. We have undergone changes that few could have anticipated and that many would have believed impossible, and we must keep the lessons we have learned close as we start to distance ourselves from the pandemic.

News

MCS launches task force to shape RHI successor

It follows the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launching the ‘Future support for low carbon heat’ consultation, detailing its proposals for support mechanisms following the closure of the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

Feature

BEIS PAT 2020: Strong support shown for renewable energy

The Public Attitudes Tracker (PAT) survey looks into public attitudes towards Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) policies including climate change, artificial intelligence, workers’ rights and much more.

Opinion

OFTEC: What could be coming down the road?

To drive through the changes needed to reach its carbon reduction targets, the government will need to shake up the current way that things are done in the heating industry. OFTEC has dusted off its crystal ball and here considers a few of the most likely policy options the government may consider.

Opinion

What the CHG means for biomass

In light of the Clean Heat Grant (CHG) proposal, Bruce Allen, HETAS CEO shares his thoughts on what this means for biomass.

Guide

An installer’s guide to the Clean Heat Grant

The Government is proposing a Clean Heat Grant Scheme (CHGS) that would commence from 2022, offering upfront funding of up to £4000 for each household or business purchasing renewable heating technologies. A tariff-based Green Gas Support Scheme is also being proposed to increase the percentage of biomethane available on the gas grid from anaerobic digestion facilities.