Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certification requirements for clean heat schemes
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Part 2: Certification requirements for clean heat schemes
This is a response to part 2 of this consultation on certification requirements for clean heat schemes.
A response to part 1 of the consultation will be published here shortly.
The government response provides a summary of the responses received to Part 2 of the consultation. This sought views on mandating the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations under UK government clean heat schemes and removing the option for equivalence from scheme regulations and guidance. The government response to Part 1 of the consultation will be published in due course.
Having considered the responses, the government has decided to proceed with removing the option for multiple certification schemes to certify installations under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Energy Company Obligation 4, Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant. This does not impact clean heat measures that are not currently required to be certified by MCS, such as heat networks, which will be covered by the forthcoming Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme, or any measures that are covered by PAS 2030.
As set out in the consultation, this is intended as an interim step ahead of the implementation of longer-term system reforms to the consumer protection landscape. Detail of the proposed system reforms will be set out as part of the Warm Homes Plan.
Detail of feedback received
We received 262 responses to the consultation from a range of stakeholders, including:
- installers
- manufacturers
- representative and trade associations
- non-governmental organisations and local government
- other stakeholders
Original consultation
Consultation description
This consultation is in 2 parts.
Part 1: Amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Part 1 seeks views on proposed amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) which provides grants to support property owners in transitioning to low carbon heating (LCH) systems.
The proposed changes are designed to increase access, stimulate further demand and enhance existing consumer protections. They include:
- allowing new heat pump purchase options alongside the BUS grant
- expanding eligibility for LCH technologies
- reviewing potential barriers to the consumer installation journey
- enhancing consumer protection by simplifying certification requirements and requiring installers to deduct grants upfront
Email queries relating to Part 1 Boiler Upgrade Scheme to boilerupgradescheme@energysecurity.gov.uk.
Part 2: Certification of clean heat installations
Part 2 seeks views on the government’s proposal to:
- require the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) as the sole certification scheme for clean heat installations delivered through:
- BUS
- Energy Company Obligation 4
- Warm Homes: Local Grant
- Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund
- remove the option for multiple certification schemes to certify installations.
Email queries relating to Part 2 certification requirements to cleanheatcertification@energysecurity.gov.uk.
Taking part
We welcome views from anyone with an interest, including:
- property owners
- installers
- consumer bodies
- lenders
- social housing providers
- local authorities
- combined authorities
- energy suppliers
- LCH industry experts
Read our consultation privacy notice.
Documents
Updates to this page
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Published government response to part 2 of this consultation.
-
First published.
Update history
2025-10-31 13:00
Published government response to part 2 of this consultation.
2025-04-30 11:00
First published.