The Heat Pump System Performance Estimate Standard and tool (MCS 031) was updated to version 4.0 on 18 December 2024 following feedback from our heat pump technical working group and a public consultation on the proposed changes.
Since publishing the updated Standard and tool and ahead of mandatory compliance from 18 March, we wanted to share more about the changes and what it means for installers.
What is MCS 031 and its purpose?
MCS 031 seeks to give consumers a reasonable and impartial assessment of heat pump performance by estimating the annual energy consumption of the proposed heat pump system during a typical year. It is a requirement under MCS that this estimate is provided to the customer at the quoting stage, so they are better able to make an informed decision.
MCS 031 uses an industry-backed, standardised methodology which relies on fixed data points, including the energy usage figures retrieved from a property’s EPC. This ensures that customers receive clear and understandable estimates of the proposed system performance, and the methodology means customers can directly compare estimates obtained from different MCS certified installers.
It’s important to remember that MCS 031 is not a design or specification tool to calculate a property’s heat load or to size a heat pump. All heat pump design requirements sit within The Heat Pump Design Standard (MIS 3005-D), where it is mandatory to select a heat pump based on the property’s heat load as defined by a heat load calculation in accordance with BS EN 12831-1:2017. After completing the full design, MCS installers must follow section 5.9 ‘post-design customer information’, where the customer is provided with the updated information.
Information and guidance on MCS 031
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You can view and download the information and guidance document on MCS 031 here.
Heat Pump Performance Estimate Standard (MCS 031)
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View the Heat Pump Performance Estimate Standard (MCS 031) here.
