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Connaught achieves eco-installation certification
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Connaught achieves eco-installation certification
October 27th 2009
Connaught is the first national support services company within the social housing sector to achieve Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation in two carbon reducing technologies - Solar Thermal Installations and Heat Pump Installations.
The MCS is an independent scheme supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and designed to certify businesses who undertake the installation of environmental technologies in homes throughout the United Kingdom. MCS is the only certification scheme to cover all microgeneration products and services, evaluating installers and products against robust criteria to provide greater protection for consumers and help make a substantial contribution to cutting the UK's dependency on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions.
Connaught is now best placed to help its clients take advantage of the growing opportunities presented by low carbon technologies, as MCS accreditation is the only route to directly access government funding for CERT, CESP, Low Carbon Building Programme grants, Feed In Tariffs (FIT) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
Connaught’s accreditation will become increasingly key in supporting their clients to find innovative energy efficiency solutions for their stock, and ensure that the investments made offer the maximum benefit for them and their residents, whilst simultaneously supporting the government’s ambitious carbon reduction targets for existing UK housing stock.
Connaught achieved accreditation with leading third party certification provider NICEIC Group. Accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), NICEIC Group provide an ongoing, independent, third party assessment of installers of microgeneration systems and technologies to ensure that the requirements of the appropriate standards are met and maintained.
Connaught engineers and managers are now fully trained in the two technologies, a key step forward for Connaught in achieving its aim to create cleaner, greener, sustainable communities. The training and accreditation will enable Connaught to better serve its customers and provide a holistic service for low carbon technology from survey and design, assistance with funding sourcing, through to installation and maintenance.
Steve Sheldon, Connaught’s Head of Low Carbon Technologies, said: “We’re delighted to have been recommended for Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation for 2 technologies. The significance of this award means that Connaught will be highly regarded and recognised within our sector, for the training investment made in staff, and for the quality that our clients can expect when we install Renewable and Low Zero Carbon (LZC) energy solutions.
He continued: “This makes us the first major support services provider within the UK to have been recognised for outstanding commitment and quality, for both design and installation of renewable energy and LZC systems, and gives us a solid platform to build upon, given the emergence of the Governments green housing agenda, and the increasing awareness surrounding climate change impact.”
Emma McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer for NICEIC Group said: “Connaught displayed an exemplary quality of work to a very high level and are to be commended, particularly on their Quality Management System. Our assessor was very impressed that no corrective action was needed; a big congratulations to the Connaught team.”
Renewable and Low Zero Carbon (LZC) installations are intended to help ease the fuel crisis burden on traditional fossil fuel sources, making us less reliant on gas, electricity, oil, LPG and solid fuel. These natural resources are becoming scarcer, more expensive and require significant multi billion pound investments in the existing network infrastructures. Solar thermal installations and heat pumps harness energy from the environment, giving substantial through-life cost benefits for social housing landlords and saving money for homeowners and tenants.