RatedInstallers
For installers

Your protection, explained

When you install solar, a battery or a heat pump through a RatedInstallers installer, several layers of protection sit behind the job. Here is what each one means, in plain English.

1. MCS certification (the foundation)

MCS (the Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is the UK's quality mark for small-scale renewables like solar panels, batteries and heat pumps. It was set up with government backing and certifies both the equipment and the installer.

What this means for you: your installer has been assessed against national standards, has to use certified products, and has to follow consumer-protection rules from your first enquiry through to final sign-off. MCS registration is also what lets you access grants like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and get paid for the energy you export (the Smart Export Guarantee). More than 2.5 million UK installations have been certified under MCS.

Learn more at mcscertified.com

2. Your consumer code (RECC or HIES)

Every MCS-certified installer must also belong to a government-approved consumer code, either the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) or HIES. This is the layer that protects your money and your workmanship.

  • Your deposit is protected. Any deposit or stage payment you make is insured, so if your installer stops trading before the job is finished, you can claim your money back or have the work completed. Protection windows vary by insurer, so keep your paperwork.
  • Your workmanship is warrantied. The workmanship on your installation is covered by an insurance-backed warranty, commonly for a number of years. If a covered defect appears and your installer is no longer around, the insurance stands behind it. Report any defect promptly (often within 30 days of noticing it).
  • Independent dispute resolution. If something goes wrong and you cannot sort it out with the installer directly, you get free access to independent dispute resolution, a neutral third party who reviews it fairly.

Learn more at recc.org.uk and hies.org.uk

3. Your legal rights (these always apply)

On top of the schemes above, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you rights that cannot be signed away. Work must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, in a reasonable time, for a fair price. Your installer is legally responsible for putting right sub-standard work.

Learn more at Citizens Advice

In short

You are protected in three ways:

  • Certified installer and equipment (MCS)
  • Your money and workmanship insured (RECC or HIES)
  • Your legal rights (Consumer Rights Act 2015)

Trustworthy references