Heat Pump Replacement Title 24 Checklist
Replacing a heat pump's outdoor unit or coil brings a setback thermostat, a duct test, 300 cfm per ton of airflow and a verified refrigerant charge in all 16 climate zones. The new unit also needs a defrost setting, a backup-heat lockout above 35 degrees F, and a thermostat that shows outdoor temperature.
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Why zone does not matter here
Section 150.2(b)1Fii covers air-source heat pumps in all climate zones, mini-splits included. A coastal owner whose air conditioner would have escaped the charge test therefore meets it on a heat pump. A heat pump's charge is verified in cooling mode.
Controls the new equipment must carry
- Defrost. An installer-adjustable defrost delay timer is set to 90 minutes or more, except in zones 6 and 7, or in homes of 500 square feet or less in zones 3, 5 to 10 and 15 (Section 150.0(h)6).
- Backup heat lockout. Supplementary heat is locked out above 35 degrees F, apart from defrost or a user-selected emergency mode (Section 150.0(h)7). Homes under 500 square feet, and homes of any size in zones 7 and 15, may use the alternate controls in Exception 1. The thermostat takes outdoor temperature from a sensor or weather service, displays it, and signals when backup or emergency heat runs (Section 150.0(i)2).
- Backup size. Electric resistance backup is capped at 2.7 kW per nominal cooling ton at 95 degrees F, rounded up to a whole kW. A 3-ton unit allows 9 kW (8.1 rounded up), a 2.5-ton unit 7 kW.
The installer certifies on the CF2R that these controls were tested. Section 150.0(h) applies to the new equipment where it fits; the manual lists these items for a complete replacement system.
Efficiency and optional credit
The appliance floors are 14.3 SEER2 with 7.5 HSPF2 for a split heat pump and 13.4 with 6.7 for a single-package unit (manual Tables 4-6 and 4-3). A performance-compliance credit for rated heating capacity or a variable capacity heat pump option adds a rater verification, so settle that with the report preparer before buying.
Where to read next
The duct test and the 300 cfm per ton airflow check work as they do for an air conditioner, and ductless units have their own mini-split checklist. The general rules are on heat pump requirements, the test on charge verification, and orders start at 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
No. Section 150.2(b)1Fii applies to air-source heat pumps in every climate zone, unlike air conditioners, which are limited to zones 2 and 8 to 15.
If the heat pump has backup heat, the thermostat must receive outdoor temperature from a sensor or an internet weather service, and display it. The exception is a separate control device that already locks backup heat out above 35 degrees F.
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View all Heat Pumps guides → · HVAC and Water Heating · Title 24 guide