How Our Partnership with McDonald Water Storage Supports Scotland’s Heat Pump Growth
Scotland has set ambitious targets for heat pump adoption, aiming to phase out gas boilers and accelerate the transition to low-carbon heating. However, recent figures indicate that installations are not keeping pace with expectations. A key challenge in meeting these targets is a shortage of MCS-accredited installers, creating a bottleneck in the supply chain.
To try and help address this, McDonald Water Storage is launching free plumber training courses, alongside access to Alto Energy’s MCS umbrella scheme, providing installers with the support to meet growing demand.
Heat Pump Rollout Falling Behind
According to a report in The Herald Scotland, the Scottish Government’s heat pump deployment strategy is lagging. The article highlights concerns that despite policy support and funding initiatives, uptake is slower than required to meet Scotland’s net zero goals.
A major contributing factor is the shortage of qualified installers. Many heating engineers and plumbers have yet to transition from fossil fuel systems to heat pumps, partly due to the costs and complexity of MCS accreditation. Without MCS certification, installers cannot access key funding schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and Home Energy Scotland grants, making it harder for homeowners to afford heat pump installations.
Our MCS Umbrella Scheme – A Practical Solution
To help Scottish installers overcome these barriers, McDonald Water Storage is offering free plumber training courses, alongside access to Alto Energy’s existing MCS umbrella scheme. By joining the scheme, installers can benefit from:
Access Government Grants – Homeowners can still benefit from financial incentives, ensuring heat pumps remain an attractive option.
Reduce Accreditation Costs – Installers avoid the high costs associated with becoming MCS-certified on their own.
Receive Technical and Compliance Support – Training, design assistance, and ongoing guidance help installers confidently take on heat pump projects.
Free heat pump Training and Support
Recognising the need for more accredited installers, SNIPEF (the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation) is promoting free heat pump training courses now being offered by McDonald Water Storage from their offices in Scotland. SNIPEF is a leading trade association for plumbing and heating businesses, providing training, technical support, and industry advocacy.
This initiative gives installers the opportunity to gain the skills needed to transition into the heat pump sector, while also accessing Alto Energy’s MCS umbrella scheme to start working on installations immediately.
Mitsubishi air source heat pump installation
Mitsubishi air source heat pump with McDonald Water Storage Steel Flow cylinder
A Message from Alto Energy
Matt Townsend, Sales Director at Alto Energy, highlighted the importance of this initiative, saying:
"We are really excited to be launching this joint venture with McDonald Water Storage, whose top-quality cylinder products we have recommended and supplied along with our various heat pump brands for many years. We are equally pleased to see the support and exposure that is also being provided by SNIPEF. As SNIPEF have identified, if we are really going to accelerate heat pump uptake in Scotland, then bridging that skills gap and providing existing heating engineers with the skills and information they need to make the transition is crucial.
With McDonald Water Storage now offering free training courses from their headquarters in Scotland (just like ones we at Alto Energy regularly offer at our own training centre in the South of England), heating engineers there can now receive the introduction they need. By accessing our Alto Assured MCS umbrella services, they will be able to offer fully accredited, grant-eligible heat pump installations designed, commissioned, and certified by the UK’s preeminent heat pump supplier and MCS umbrella provider. We urge all heating engineers in Scotland to get in touch with McDonald Water Storage as soon as possible and reserve their place on one of their free training courses."
Bridging the Skills Gap in Scotland
Our MCS umbrella scheme provides a fast-track route for plumbers and heating engineers to transition into the heat pump sector without the delays of full MCS accreditation. Given the urgent need to scale up installations, this collaborative approach ensures that Scotland can increase deployment rates and keep pace with net zero targets.
For installers looking to expand their services and homeowners seeking a low-carbon heating solution, our MCS umbrella scheme offers a win-win solution. By reducing the barriers to entry for new installers, Alto Energy and McDonald Water Storage are playing a crucial role in accelerating Scotland’s heat pump revolution.
For more information on how to join our MCS umbrella scheme, get in touch with Alto Energy today.