Do new homes need to have energy efficient lighting?
Under Part L of the Building Regulations in England, all new build homes must have energy efficient fixed lighting installed as a mandatory requirement. This regulation aims to reduce carbon emissions and lower household energy costs for residents. Energy efficient lighting systems, typically LED-based, consume significantly less electricity than traditional alternatives, contributing to both environmental sustainability goals and long term savings on utility bills.
What are the lighting regulations in new build homes?
Current standards require a high proportion of fixed lighting in new homes to meet high energy efficiency levels, typically around 75 light source lumens per circuit watt. While the regulations don’t specify technologies, this effectively means most new homes use LED lighting.
What are examples of energy efficient lighting?
- LEDs: The industry standard and typically the most efficient choice.
- CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps): Still technically compliant, though rarely used in new builds now.
What lighting is not considered energy efficient?
Traditional filament bulbs and high-energy halogens are now largely a thing of the past in new builds.
You are unlikely to see:
- Standard incandescent bulbs
- Halogen downlights
- Tungsten filaments
Why have the regulations changed for lighting in new homes?
Lighting can make up a significant proportion of a household's electricity bill. By effectively driving the adoption of LEDs through efficiency requirements, the government aims to slash carbon emissions while saving homeowners money. The updated Approved Document L, which kicked in on 15 June 2022, solidified these targets.
For the person living there, the perks are financial. Switching to LEDs can help households save on energy bills, depending on usage. Plus, an LED bulb can use significantly less energy than traditional bulbs and can last up to 25 times longer.
Downlights
If the house features recessed downlights, there are extra hoops to jump through. To pass inspection, these usually need to be energy efficient and may also need to meet fire safety and airtightness requirements depending on the build design.
What are the regulations regarding controls and sensors on lights in new homes?
Building regulations require local controls, meaning you need to be able to turn lights off in specific zones or rooms. For outside lights, sensors or timers are often used to improve energy efficiency so they aren't burning energy during daylight hours.
Disclaimer
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Publish date 20th April, 2026
Reading time: 3 minutes
Written by Vicki England
