What to expect from an MCS follow-up visit?

[sharpener]

Our installer has contacted us to say that (13 months after installation) the MCS want to visit as a random site chosen for QA follow up.

 

It would be useful to know from anyone who has had a visit how long they take, what they want to see in terms of equipment and documentation, whether you get a written report or any other kind of feedback, anything else of note.

 

TIA

[Bramco]

We had one - and it was useful.

The installers hadn't used UV protected insulation on the pipes outside, so they made them come back and retrofit it.

I wrote about it at the time but from memory, they wanted to see all the documentation, which for us was in order. And there was a visual inspection, which turned up the insulation and the fact that they hadn't installed a duct for the pipework - but we'd agreed that this wouldn't be possible due to the wall build up, so I had to submit the drawings for the wall build up to them which they then used as evidence for the decision.

 

Inspector was a nice chap, knew what he was on about, so all in all, it was worth having the inspection.

 

[sharpener]

On 04/09/2025 at 07:44, Bramco said:

 

Inspector was a nice chap, knew what he was on about, so all in all, it was worth having the inspection.

 

 

Sounds like your visit was a lot more useful than mine. 

 

I had a hospital appointment and the date could not be changed but my OH said he was mainly concerned with demonstrating his superiority over the MD of the installers (Martin in the account below). Spent all of 20 mins on site and was not interested in any of the documentation. I thought it piss-poor that someone visiting my home refused to identify himself. Or give any kind of report either then or later on any remedial action required.

 

<Martin and the man from the regulators arrived (separately) at 13.55. I showed them where the heatpump itself and all the controls were, and pointed out the folders of documentation. They asked to see the cylinder and they (both?) went up in the loft to see it. They asked where the outlet was and Martin spent some time rooting about in the airing cupboard. I said there were diagrams of the layout but they didn't seem interested. They spent a further ten minutes or so in the laundry [plant room]. They made no comments to me, just thanked me for my time. I asked for a business card or contact details as requested, but the [MCS] man batted this on to Martin whose details you have. They left just before 14.15.>

 

 

 

Edited September 19 by sharpener

[JohnMo]

Another good reason to avoid MCS.

[Benpointer]

23 hours ago, JohnMo said:

Another good reason to avoid MCS.

Against which, there are 7,500 reasons not to avoid it.

 

Has anyone had their ASHP checked to see if the cooling facility is on?  I have heard that cooling still has to be disabled to satisfy the MCS cert*.

 

Edit:  *or has that changed? https://mcscertified.com/mcs-has-published-an-updated-version-of-mcs-020/

Edited September 20 by Benpointer

[JamesPa]

1 hour ago, Benpointer said:

 I have heard that cooling still has to be disabled to satisfy the MCS cert*.

Neither planning (permitted development) rules (in England anyway) nor the BUS grant require this.  If MCS do it is a rule of their own making.  

 

Edited September 20 by JamesPa

[JohnMo]

2 hours ago, Benpointer said:

7,500

Really depends doesn't it, if you paying a huge premium to the get the £7500, it's not really 7,500

3 hours ago, Benpointer said:

reasons not to avoid it.

All in I was less than £3k, fully installed, without taking any tax payers money. Win for me and the tax payer. Plus no one poking about my house that acts like this

 

On 19/09/2025 at 20:38, sharpener said:

mainly concerned with demonstrating his superiority

 

On 19/09/2025 at 20:38, sharpener said:

refused to identify himself. Or give any kind of report either then or later on any remedial action required.

 

[Benpointer]

6 hours ago, JohnMo said:

Really depends doesn't it, if you paying a huge premium to the get the £7500, it's not really 7,500

 

All in I was less than £3k, fully installed, without taking any tax payers money. Win for me and the tax payer. Plus no one poking about my house that acts like this

First point is very true - we had one quote for £21k after deduction of the grant!  We just weren't confident we had ability and understanding to design and install ourselves.

 

In the end our total cost net of the grant was £6,200.  For that we got a latest model 7kW L-series Panasonic + 300l cylinder, fitted, installed and commissioned.  (I would recommend our supplier/installer Paul Thorney from Air2Heat - very helpful, good price, great service.)

 

(Incidentally, we were asked for the ASHP MCS cert by the buyers when we sold our previous house last year.)

[sharpener]

On 19/09/2025 at 20:38, sharpener said:

They asked to see the cylinder and they (both?) went up in the loft to see it. They asked where the outlet was and Martin spent some time rooting about in the airing cupboard. 

 

A surprising development today, had an email to say they couldn't find the tundish and so wanted to come and fit a new one. Here is part of my reply:

 

<The tundish is clearly visible on the lhs of the cyl as you look at it -
and you can hear where it is if you release the relief valve. The D3
connection in 22mm copper pipe then goes downwards and out through the
North (roadside) wall of the house... AFAIK this is all fully G3 compliant...>

[Temp]

Didn't they take pictures?

[sharpener]

5 minutes ago, Temp said:

Didn't they take pictures?

 

Seems not. I have offered to send them pix as a cheaper alternative to fitting a new one!

 

I cannot be absolutely certain the tundish is within the required 500 mm from the valve but it cannot be much more. Why they did not run their hands down the pipe from the relief valve until they encountered the tundish I cannot fathom. Or why the MD did not check the existing cyl for G3 compliance when he did the HP survey. Or ask his plumber who fitted the recirculation pump to the cyl. whether he had checked.

 

At the extreme they might not be happy about the discharge <1m from a public road but it is set back and on a stretch where there is no footpath.

 

Should have written D2!