Founded in April 2022, Northern Ireland-based MCS certified installer, Surge Renewables, was created to inspire consumer confidence for those wanting to transition to cleaner and greener energy. Hear from Managing Director, Andrew Sands, about why MCS certification was an obvious choice for them, and how their design, sales, and installation teams work together to ensure high-quality solar PV and air source heat pump installations for their customers.
Becoming certified
Becoming certified was a no-brainer for Andrew and his team. They understood that becoming certified was crucial for establishing credibility with consumers and giving them confidence in the quality of their renewable products and installations.
“We find that consumers want to deal with MCS installers – it gives them confidence when choosing an installer,” said Andrew.
Since becoming certified, Surge Renewables have seen an increase in consumers wanting to install small-scale renewables in their homes and small businesses. MCS is a mark of quality which demonstrates that your chosen installer has adhered to recognised industry standards when completing installations; highlighting quality, competency and compliance.
“Being MCS certified gives consumers confidence in choosing us for their installations. It’s also beneficial for our business, ensuring that we operate efficiently and have all the necessary systems in place.”
Advice for installers
If you are looking to become an MCS certified installer, Andrew advises you to, “plan the process and assign a person in the office dedicated to ensuring all of the policies and procedures are in place and updated when required. Ensure that you take the process seriously and plan each point as it progresses.”
“That’s why at Surge Renewables, we have dedicated design, sales, and installation teams working together to ensure every installation meets high-quality certification standards.”
Consumers come first
When a customer comes to Surge Renewables looking to install renewable energy in their home, the first step is getting to know their lifestyle and specific needs. Surge takes the time to understand what’s driving their decision to switch to clean energy and what they hope to achieve. This way, they can offer tailored renewable recommendations that fit the customer’s goals.
Northern Ireland
While Northern Ireland has seen slower uptake of renewables compared to the rest of the UK, Andrew believes this is largely due to the lack of grants for domestic solar and heat pump installations. However, with over 34,000 MCS certified installations across the nation and 1,600 registered so far in 2024, this puts them on track to surpass their 2023 total for installations.
Looking ahead
Surge Renewables is confident that the renewable energy sector will continue to grow rapidly, driven by word of mouth from satisfied customers and the positive impact of technologies like solar PV and heat pumps on homes and businesses. With the low-carbon industry booming, Andrew believes apprenticeships are the key to the industry’s future.
“I wanted to be part of an industry that would make a positive impact on future generations,” Andrew shared.
“The younger generation is really enthusiastic about new technologies, and we’re eager to harness that energy. We find when we take the time to invest in people, they show commitment and loyalty back, helping Surge Renewables to achieve our vision of helping consumers transition away from fossil fuels.”
As for the future of Surge Renewables, Andrew said “We’ll continue to upskill our team and make sure we’re well-informed to guide our customers toward the most efficient and suitable renewable energy solutions.”
If you’re thinking about gaining MCS certification for your business, you can find out more here