What are accreditations and what do they mean?

When looking for someone with the technical expertise to install a boiler, rewire the electrics in your home or set up an Air Source Heat Pump. You would want to hire or contract the very best expertise in the industry.

But how can you tell how skilled your engineer or electrician may be?

Fortunately for the Gas and Electric industry, there are many different regulating bodies and boards which oversee the safe and efficient conduct of these works.

These bodies are there to protect the consumer and ensure that everything from initial contact, throughout the sales process and the final installation is conducted in the right way.

You may find however when researching a business to see if they are the right fit for you, at the bottom of their home page, or even on it's own dedicated page. Dozens of different accreditation and compliance certificates. Even we have one.

The question is what certification should you be on the lookout for?

The Gas Safe Register is a requirement for all businesses and individuals who work with Gas. The certification to legally work on gas appliances. All gas businesses and their engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register to carry out gas work legally, in the UK.

This certification lasts 12 months and is renewed annually. Any individual or business registered to perform gas works will appear on the register. Gas Safe, makes available a lot of information for consumers, about how and why it's a good idea to check your engineer's registration card and details.

We've written about this before in our article. "What is Gas Safe?"

Not only is this qualification a legal requirement in the UK, but it is particularly important to check if your engineer has it in Norfolk.

In 2021 1 in 3 Gas Appliances in Norwich was found to be unsafe. These unsafe appliances can cause severe problems ranging from damaging appliances to health complications and even death.

This is most likely attributed to unqualified people performing gas works, while not being on the Gas Safe Register. They are able to get away with performing illegal gas work, by abusing consumers' trust, not being checked or by carrying out-of-date credentials.

It is very easy to check if an individual or business is currently registered on the Gas Safe Register.

1. Head onto the Gas Safe Register
2. Enter the individual or business details into the box
3. Read the information and check what Gas Work they are registered for.

Finally, when the engineer arrives in person check their Gas Safe Card. You are well within your rights to ask to see this. Each ID card is renewed annually so, check to see your engineer's card even if you have used them before. They may not have renewed their credentials and may be carrying an out-of-date card.

It only takes one incident to cause an accident. If you believe any person or company is operating on gas appliances illegally, you should report them to Gas Safe.

Gas Safe will investigate your claim and ensure that all legal procedures are being followed.

Licenced by the Engineering Council, IGEM is the professional engineering institution for gas – representing thousands of engineers, and other non-engineering roles working in the Gas industry. Not only do they oversee natural gas, but they are a significant part of the hydrogen supply chain.

They are licenced by the engineering council to award chartered engineer, incorporated engineering and engineering technician status to those working in the industry. They assist individuals to become professionally registered.

IGEM’s core aim is to help all those involved with gas to achieve and maintain the highest standards of professional competence. They provide high levels of training and support, while they are not a legal requirement to work in the gas industry, they represent the most skilled and technically competent in the gas industry.

Our very own Mark Seabrook, head of technical compliance has been awarded EngTech MIGEM title and advises industry standards bodies. He represents Gasway Services LTD at the IGEM Large Business Forum (LBF) where we meet bi-monthly to discuss industry issues and comment on the latest standards and regulations.

As leaders in renewable energy, our MCS certification ensures that we provide high-quality installations of renewable systems, such as air source heat pumps and solar panels. This accreditation is critical for customers seeking to benefit from government incentives, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

However it is more important than many consumers are currently aware. Recenty there has been a huge push from the goverment to fit homes with renewable heating such as Air Source Heat Pumps.

Part of this push has resulted in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). This scheme allows homeowners access to a £7500 voucher to use for the installation of an air source heat pump in their homes.

What many consumers are unaware of is the fact that in order for their installation to qualify it needs to meet MCS specifications and the installer needs to be MCS qualified.

While this may seem like a fairly easy thing to check. Due to the sheer number of installations being completed each year, and the high number of companies completing these installations there are companies and individuals that are offering the BUS voucher. Alongside the discounted installation who are not qualified or compliant. Homeowners are unaware of this when they are having the work completed and many end up paying full price for a non-compliant installation.

Even in instances where a non-compliant installation slips through the cracks and the discount is applied. The installation will not be energy efficient and will end up costing the consumer more in the long run and drive the cost of their electricity bill up.

It's critical that if you are getting any renewable heating or electrical technology installed in or around your property, the company or individual is MCS Certified.

Checking if a company or individual is MCS Certified is easy. We highly advise that even if you see the MCS logo on their website or marketing material you do this check, as while it's illegal to pretend you qualify, that is an easy way to trick consumers into thinking you do!

As we have mentioned before there are companies out there, currently pretending to be certified, so make sure you check.

The best way to check your installer is registered with MCS is by visiting the official MCS website by clicking here

or by visiting https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/

By entering in your chosen installers details you will be able to see if they are MCS registered and what renewable technology they are trained to install.