Approved Document L

This Approved Document provides guidance on how to comply with Part L to Schedule 1 of the Building Regulations covering the conservation of fuel and power and the associated energy efficiency requirements for dwellings, and takes effect on 15 June 2022. It does not apply to work subject to a building notice, full plans application or initial notice submitted before that date, provided the work is started on site before 15 June 2023.

ADL1: Conservation of fuel and power - Dwellings (2021 edition) contains the following sections:

• 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
• Consideration of high efficiency alternative systems
• Limiting heat gains and losses
• Minimum building services efficiencies and controls - general guidance
• System specific guidance
• Air permeability and pressure testing
• Commissioning
• Providing information
• New elements in existing dwellings, including extensions
• Work to elements in existing dwellings
• Consequential improvements
• Key terms
• Reporting evidence of compliance
• Work to thermal elements

The guidance in this Approved Document only relates to England and applies to dwellings only. In a mixed-use building, Approved Document L, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings should be consulted for building work in parts of the building that are not dwellings.