How to Prepare for Title 24 Compliance (2026)
California Title 24 Part 6 is the state energy code. Any remodel that adds HVAC, moves HVAC, replaces more than 75 sqft of windows, or converts gas to electric triggers compliance. Getting this right costs ~$800 in HERS fees; getting it wrong costs 4-8 weeks of failed inspections.
Step 1: Confirm whether your project triggers Title 24 at all
Triggers: any addition over 700 sqft, any HVAC addition or relocation, window replacement over 75 sqft total, lighting alteration, gas-to-electric appliance conversion, new ADU. Non-triggers: paint, flooring, in-kind fixture swaps, cosmetic work. If you're not triggered, skip the rest of this guide.
Step 2: Decide: prescriptive path (mandatory measures only) vs performance path (whole-building modeling)
Prescriptive = you meet every mandatory-measure checkbox (R-values, window U-factors, HVAC SEER, JA8 lighting). No modeling required. Performance = you model the whole building in CBECC-Res or EnergyPro and trade compliance (more insulation here, less HVAC efficiency there). Prescriptive is faster for simple projects; Performance gives flexibility for complex ones.
Step 3: Schedule a HERS rater before rough-in inspection
HVAC changes trigger HERS (Home Energy Rating System) testing: duct-leakage test, fan-watt-draw test, refrigerant-charge test. The HERS rater is an independent third party certified by CEC — directory at calcerts.com. Book them 2 weeks in advance; peak-season lead times stretch to 4 weeks.
Step 4: Generate and submit the CF1R form at permit application
CF1R = Certificate of Compliance, Residential. Generated by Title 24 software (EnergyPro, CBECC-Res) and submitted with the permit plans. Shows the project's compliance path (prescriptive or performance) and lists every mandatory measure. Without CF1R, LADBS plan-check rejects the application on day one.
Step 5: Sign the CF2R at the end of construction (installer certification)
CF2R = Certificate of Installation. The contractor signs that every mandatory measure on the CF1R was installed as designed. Submitted to the HERS rater before the HERS test. Missing CF2R = no HERS test = no final inspection.
Step 6: Receive the CF3R from the HERS rater after successful testing
CF3R = Certificate of Verification. The HERS rater generates it after duct-leakage, fan-watt, and refrigerant-charge tests pass. Submit CF3R to LADBS with the final-inspection request. CF3R must match the installed equipment exactly — any change-order equipment swap requires a re-test and re-issued CF3R.
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