Approved Document L: Conservation of fuel and power
Energy and greenhouse gas emissions — Future Homes Standard
The 2026 edition implements the Future Homes and Buildings Standards for new dwellings and non-domestic buildings, targeting around 75% lower carbon emissions than 2013 and adding a renewable electricity requirement for new homes.
Also known as: AD L, Approved Document L, ADL, Part L 2026, Future Homes Standard
Key requirements
- Applies to new non-higher-risk building work from 24 March 2027; higher-risk building work follows on 24 September 2027.
- Retains Target Emissions Rate, Target Primary Energy Rate and Fabric Energy Efficiency as compliance metrics for dwellings.
- Introduces a functional requirement (L3) for renewable electricity generation in new homes and buildings containing dwellings.
- The dwelling PV benchmark is based on an array over an area equivalent to 40% of ground-floor area.
- The non-domestic notional building includes PV equivalent to 40% of the building's footprint.
- A 12-month transition applies to non-HRB work that is already in the building control system.
Performance at a glance
- Carbon target
- ~75% lower than 2013 (new homes)
- Dwelling metrics
- TER · TPER · FEE
- Renewables
- New L3 requirement
- In force
- 24 Mar 2027
Applies to
New dwellings and buildings other than dwellings in England.
Earlier editions continue to apply to buildings subject to previous standards. Check the transition rules for your project before specifying to the 2026 edition.
Related records
Reviewed 25 October 2026. This summary is an editorial reference, not legal advice. Check the current official text and confirm the approach with building control before relying on it. Browse all 35 records.