Approved Document L: Energy and greenhouse gas emissions - Volume 1: Dwellings (2026 edition)

Product Description

Energy efficient buildings and fixed building services have important roles in achieving net zero targets. The Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document L sets performance standards for buildings!!and fixed building services which aim to conserve fuel and power and minimise greenhouse gas emissions.

The Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document L Volume 1: Dwellings 2026 edition features:

• Requirement L1: Conservation of fuel and power and minimisation of greenhouse gas emissions in buildings
• Requirement L2: On-site generation of electricity
• Requirement L3: Renewable electricity generation – dwellings and buildings containing dwellings
• Regulations: 6, 11F, 22, 23(1), 23(2), 24, 25, 25A, 25B, 26, 26A, 26C, 27, 27A, 27C, 28, 40, 40A, 40C, 43, 44, 44ZA

2026 edition:

• supports Part L of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010.
• takes effect on 24 March 2027 for use in England for building work that is not in connection with higher-risk building work.
• takes effect on 24 September 2027 for use in England for building work that is in connection with higher-risk building work.

Sections included:

• Calculating the target primary energy rate, target emission rate and target fabric energy efficiency rate
• Calculating the dwelling primary energy rate, dwelling emission rate and dwelling fabric energy efficiency rate
• Limiting heat gains and losses
• Carbon and energy performance of building services – general guidance
• Carbon and energy performance of building services – system specific guidance
• Air permeability and pressure testing
• Commissioning fixed building services and on-site electricity generation systems
• Installation, certification, inspection and testing of heat pump systems
• Providing information to the owner about the building, fixed building services and maintenance requirements
• Replacing thermal elements and limiting heat gains and losses in existing dwellings, including extensions
• Work to thermal elements in existing dwellings
• Consequential improvements to energy performance
• Appendix A-E

This approved document is Approved Document L, Volume 1: Dwellings. It gives guidance on how to comply with Part L of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations and the energy efficiency requirements for dwellings. For guidance on non-domestic buildings, use Approved Document L, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings.