Air Conditioner Replacement Title 24 Checklist
Replacing an air conditioner's outdoor unit or coil brings a duct test, and any refrigerant-containing part brings a setback thermostat. In climate zones 2 and 8 to 15 those parts also bring airflow of at least 300 cfm per ton and a verified charge. Zones 1, 3 to 7 and 16 skip the charge and airflow checks.
- Choose your report
- Upload your plans
- Pay securely
- Permit-ready report by email
Step one is the climate zone
Section 150.2(b)1Fii names air-cooled air conditioners in zones 2 and 8 through 15, nine zones in all. A house in zone 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 16 still gets the setback thermostat, and the duct test when the outdoor unit or a coil is replaced, but no charge or airflow verification for an air conditioner. A heat pump is different, and the heat pump checklist shows why.
Step two is which part comes out
- Outdoor unit alone. The duct test is triggered even if the indoor unit stays (Example 9-35): 10 percent total leakage or 7 percent to outside.
- Compressor, either coil, metering device or refrigerant piping. Section 150.2(b)1F applies. These are the parts it names.
- Complete packaged unit. Treated as a replaced system; a factory-charged package skips the field charge test if the installer certifies it was not altered, but a ducted one still gets the airflow check.
Numbers to carry to the site
A split system under 45,000 Btu/h must be certified at 14.3 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 or better, a single-package unit at 13.4 and 10.6 (manual Table 4-6, from the appliance rules in force at permit application). On airflow, an altered 3-ton unit (036 on the nameplate) needs 900 cfm, and a small-duct high-velocity system 250 cfm per ton. The standard charge test runs only at 55 degrees F outdoors or warmer. Below that the installer weighs in the charge, the rater observes, and the thermostat must meet Section 110.12.
When the airflow comes up short
Appendix RA3.3.3.1.5 lets the installer try, and certify, a fixed list: a clean filter, open registers and dampers, no crushed duct, a clean coil, the fan on high, and a larger return where possible. If the number still misses, charge is verified at the highest airflow reached.
Documents
The changeout is CF1R-ALT-02-E, charge is CF2R-MCH-25-H and airflow CF2R-MCH-23-H. Part-by-part detail is on coil replacement, efficiency on SEER2, and the test itself on charge verification. Start an alteration report from residential.
Common Title 24 Questions
- When is Title 24 required for a home?
- Does a remodel need Title 24?
- Does a room addition need Title 24?
- What plans are needed for a residential Title 24 report?
- How much does a residential Title 24 report cost?
- How long does a residential Title 24 report take?
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The compliance manual says replacing the outdoor unit or the indoor unit by itself triggers duct sealing and verification, unless an exception such as under 40 linear feet of duct applies.
For an air conditioner, yes: the charge and airflow checks cover zones 2 and 8 to 15 only. The setback thermostat still applies, and so does the duct test if the outdoor unit or a coil was replaced.
Explore Air Conditioners
- Can You Install Electric Baseboard or Wall Heaters Under Title 24?
- Evaporative (Swamp) Cooler Under Title 24: Credit and Requirements
- Refrigerant Charge Verification: When Is It Required?
- What Is Refrigerant Charge Verification?
- Replacing a Packaged AC or Heat Pump Unit: What Title 24 Requires
View all Air Conditioners guides → · HVAC and Water Heating · Title 24 guide