News
Heat pumps power UK partnerships
The UK is a hot market for heat pumps right now. According to figures from the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), Europe has seen heat pump sales drop 23% in 2024. However, the UK market has remained extremely buoyant, with sales increasing by 63%, largely due to government incentives. To further encourage market growth, it’s crucial that decision makers choose the right product for the project, so end users reap the rewards of sustainable heat pump technology.
In February the Eurovent Certification team met with key stakeholders in the UK heat pump sector, including the Standards setter, MCS, and the government backed Energy Technology List (ETL), to discuss mutual aims and collaboration, to support the drive for heat pump systems.
The need for certified data
From homeowners seeking a low carbon heating system, to specifiers working on large commercial projects, selecting the right heat pump is paramount. Decision makers need assurance that products will perform as advertised. This is where third-party product certification programmes from organisations such as Eurovent Certification and MCS are vital in independently verifying manufacturer claims. Robust certification processes confirm compliance not only to industry Regulations and Standards but also guarantee that systems will perform as expected.
As heat pump certification is stringent and proves energy efficiency, it opens access to financial incentives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales, or funding via Home Energy Scotland. Certification also makes comparing and choosing heat pumps much simpler, as it arms decision makers with proven and trusted performance data.
Eurovent alignment with MCS for Heat Pumps
MCS is an organisation that creates and maintains Standards that allow for the certification of products, installers and their installations. Associated with these Standards are certification schemes, run on behalf of MCS by Certification Bodies who hold UKAS accreditation to ISO 17065. Eurovent Certification is one such body and certifies heat pumps under the MCS007 mark. Eurovent provides a one-stop-shop for heat pump certification, offering MCS for heat pumps alongside other established heat pump certifications, recognised throughout Europe and worldwide.
Eurovent Certification also maintains a bridge between the MCS, Eurovent Certified Performance and NF heat pump schemes, so that products certified under one programme, automatically qualify for the others. This consolidates processes for manufacturers as they can use Eurovent certified data to apply for multiple heat pump certifications.
On 12th February the Eurovent Certification and MCS teams met in Daresbury, Cheshire, to discuss the continued alignment of programmes and the evolution of the MCS007 scheme. With collaboration high on the agenda, both parties renewed their commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise, to ensure that heat pump certification keeps abreast of technological and regulatory change, while meeting industry needs. This alliance brings real value to the sector with both bodies working tirelessly to meet ever changing UK market requirements.
Eurovent Alignment with ETL
The Energy Technology List (ETL) is a scheme featuring around 8,000 independently verified and accredited energy efficient products across 65 sub-technology groups, backed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
The ETL and Eurovent Certification have worked together since early 2024 to align testing standards so that Eurovent Certification test reports can be used to apply for the ETL, provided the products meet its strict energy performance criteria. ETL products must be in the top 25% for energy efficiency in their class.
With alignment already established with evaporative air coolers and refrigerated display cabinets, focus turned to heat pumps. On the 11th February, both teams converged in London to confirm alignment on five heat pump sub-technologies including:
- Air to water heat pumps
- Air to air heat pumps, split, multi-split
- Water or brine to water heat pumps
- Water to air heat pumps
- Air to domestic hot water heat pumps.
With more products in the pipeline, the meeting was just the latest in a partnership that streamlines the ETL entry process, while ensuring testing standards remain trusted, comprehensive and robust. Discussion also turned into how Eurovent supports manufacturers’ digital journey with ProdBIM, encompassing multi-channel data dissemination to integration with BIM and new standards compliance. The meeting offered an excellent opportunity to explore potential support and collaboration between Eurovent Certification and ETL, leveraging ProdBIM features and services.
The UK heat pump market is one of the most exciting in Europe. For Eurovent Certification, partnerships with both MCS and ETL are vital in our common goal of supporting proven, energy efficient, heat pump technology.