Choosing the right installer

Energy efficiency improvements

Make sure any installer is registered with TrustMark, a government-backed quality scheme for work such as insulation, electricals and plumbing. You can find trusted installers in your area on the TrustMark website.

If you’re installing a gas boiler or carrying out any gas work (including boilers, warm air units and heating controls), installers must be Gas Safe registered by law. The Gas Safe Register has more information on the work this covers, and also tells you if an installer is registered.

If installing an oil boiler, the installer must be OFTEC registered.

For all other energy efficiency improvements there is no requirement to use a specific installer, but we strongly recommend you do the following

• Shop around for at least three quotes to give you choice and to ensure good value for money.
• Make sure your chosen installer is fully qualified and, if possible, accredited with a relevant industry body and / or trade federation.
• Ask installers what guarantees they provide for the quality of their work and what warranties they supply with the products.

Renewables systems

If you’re using a Home Energy Scotland Grant and/or Loan to install a renewables system, including zero and low emission heating and electricity generation, your installer and the product must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) for the system they’re installing (except for micro-hydro systems).

You can find accredited installers in your area (as well as customer reviews) on our Renewables Installer Finder. For a full list of MCS-certified installers, visit the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website.

Energy storage systems

If you’re installing an energy storage system, the installer must:

• Be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) for the renewables system that will be working alongside the battery.
• Be a member of the Trading Standards Institute accredited consumer code, which covers energy storage.
• Meet all manufacturers’ guidelines for the system being installed, and have undertaken all relevant manufacturer training available in the UK.
• Meet the Institute for Engineering and Technology’s code of practice (for electric batteries only).

District heating scheme connections

• The installer of the connection must be approved by the scheme owner / operator.

​Loans are administered by Energy Saving Trust. Successful loans are subject to an administrative fee of 1.5%, up to a maximum of £150. Work must not commence before a loan offer has been made. For certain improvements, you will need to use a certified installer.