Does Replacing an AC Coil or Compressor Trigger Title 24?

Yes, and the part you replace decides the test. Section 150.2(b)1E sends the ducts to a leakage test when you replace the air handler, the outdoor condensing unit of a split system, or a cooling or heating coil. Section 150.2(b)1F is a separate trigger: replacing the compressor, condensing coil, evaporator coil, refrigerant metering device or refrigerant piping brings a setback thermostat and, for most systems, a charge and airflow check.

  1. Choose your report
  2. Upload your plans
  3. Pay securely
  4. Permit-ready report by email

Part by part

  • Indoor (evaporator) coil: both triggers.
  • Outdoor unit: both. The compliance manual’s Example 9-35 says replacing the outdoor unit alone triggers the duct test.
  • Compressor, condensing coil, metering device or line set: named in 1F. Section 1E does not list them but says “including”, so ask the building department whether a compressor swap on its own also brings the duct test.
  • Furnace or air handler without cooling parts: 1E only.

What Section 1F requires

In every climate zone, each thermostat on the system is replaced with a setback type. Beyond that, the zone and the equipment decide:

  • A heat pump or mini-split in any zone, or an air conditioner in zones 2 and 8 to 15: refrigerant charge verified by an ECC-Rater, by the standard procedure or by weighing in the charge, plus airflow of at least 300 cfm per ton (250 for small-duct high-velocity systems).
  • A cooling-only air conditioner in zones 1, 3 to 7 or 16: the thermostat rule and nothing more from 1F.
  • A complete factory-charged packaged unit: the charge test is waived and the installer certifies the factory charge, though a ducted unit still has its airflow checked.

So the same compressor on a heat pump in zone 3 needs a charge test, and on an air conditioner there does not.

What Section 1E requires

Total duct leakage of 10 per cent of air handler airflow or less, or 7 per cent to outside or less, or every accessible leak sealed and confirmed by a visual inspection and smoke test. Ducts already sealed and verified, systems with under 40 linear feet of duct and asbestos ducts are excepted; a garage unit has a 6 per cent target. The thresholds are set out on HVAC replacement.

Repair or alteration

The compliance manual treats a repair, the renewal of a part for maintenance, as outside the standards, and replacing any equipment the Energy Code regulates as an alteration. Whether a given fix counts is for the building department, which also decides if a permit is needed (permits for HVAC and water heater swaps).

Who does what

The installer certifies the work and an ECC-Rater, the role called a HERS rater until 1 January 2026, tests it and registers the results. Book the rater before the system is closed up; see what an ECC-Rater does, refrigerant charge verification and adding central air.

Common Title 24 Questions

  1. When is Title 24 required for a home?
  2. Does a remodel need Title 24?
  3. Does a room addition need Title 24?
  4. What plans are needed for a residential Title 24 report?
  5. How much does a residential Title 24 report cost?
  6. How long does a residential Title 24 report take?

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore Air Conditioners

  1. Adding Air Conditioning to an Existing House: Title 24 Requirements
  2. Does Adding Central Air Need Title 24?
  3. Air Conditioner Replacement Title 24 Checklist
  4. Can You Install Electric Baseboard or Wall Heaters Under Title 24?
  5. Evaporative (Swamp) Cooler Under Title 24: Credit and Requirements

View all Air Conditioners guides → · HVAC and Water Heating · Title 24 guide

From $199 · ready in 2–3 days

Order Report