HVAC and Water Heating

Replacing or adding equipment is the most common way a homeowner meets the Energy Code. These pages take one system at a time: what triggers the rules, what a compliant installation looks like and which tests an ECC-Rater runs.

Heat Pumps

When a heat pump is the baseline system, what a replacement must meet and how backup heat is limited.

• What SEER2 Does California Require for a Home AC or Heat Pump?
• Title 24 Heat Pump Requirements for Homes
• Does California Require a Heat Pump When You Replace an AC?
• Heat Pump Replacement Title 24 Checklist
• Can I Swap My Central AC for a Heat Pump? What Title 24 Adds
• Variable-Speed Heat Pump and a Smart Thermostat: Title 24 Rules

View all Heat Pumps answers (8) →

Air Conditioners

Replacing or adding air conditioning: efficiency, coils, refrigerant charge verification and what triggers a permit.

• Does Adding Central Air Need Title 24?
• Does Replacing an AC Coil or Compressor Trigger Title 24?
• What Is Refrigerant Charge Verification?
• Can You Install Electric Baseboard or Wall Heaters Under Title 24?
• Air Conditioner Replacement Title 24 Checklist
• Replacing a Packaged AC or Heat Pump Unit: What Title 24 Requires

View all Air Conditioners answers (10) →

Furnaces

Furnace and wall furnace replacement and what it triggers.

• Furnace Replacement Title 24 Checklist
• Can I Replace a Gas Furnace With a Gas Furnace in California?
• Wall Furnace or Floor Furnace Replacement: What Title 24 Says
• Furnace or Air Handler in the Garage: Title 24 Rules for a Swap
• What Furnace Efficiency (AFUE) Does California Require?

View all Furnaces answers (5) →

Mini-Splits

Ductless systems: what is tested, what drops out and how they fit additions and ADUs.

• Mini-Split Installation Title 24 Checklist
• Mini-Split in a Garage, Shed or Workshop: Does It Trigger Title 24?
• Home Addition With a Mini-Split: Title 24 Design Guide
• Replacing Ducted Central Air With Mini-Splits: What Title 24 Asks
• Cooling-Only Mini-Split or Heat Pump Mini-Split: What Triggers More?
• Refrigerant Line Set Insulation on an AC or Mini-Split: What the Code Requires

View all Mini-Splits answers (8) →

Ducts

Duct replacement, extension, insulation and the leakage and airflow tests.

• When Is Duct Leakage Testing Required?
• Title 24 Duct Insulation Requirements
• Flexible Duct Installation Rules Under Title 24
• Second-Story Addition: Ducts, Stairwell and Solar Under Title 24
• Can You Use Duct Tape on HVAC Ducts? What Title 24 Allows
• Duct Replacement 25-Foot Rule Under Title 24

View all Ducts answers (13) →

Ventilation

Whole-dwelling ventilation, bathroom and kitchen exhaust, filters, HRV and ERV and whole-house fans.

• How Many CFM Does the Ventilation Fan Need?
• Is Your Range Hood Title 24 Compliant?
• Whole-House Ventilation Requirements
• Does Title 24 Require a Whole House Fan?
• Title 24 Bathroom Exhaust Fan Requirements
• MERV 13 Filter Sizing for Title 24

View all Ventilation answers (13) →

Water Heaters

Replacing a water heater, heat pump water heaters, recirculation and what each choice triggers.

• Do I Need Title 24 for a Water Heater Permit?
• Can You Add a Hot Water Recirculation Pump Under Title 24?
• Title 24 Water Heater Requirements
• Do You Need a Permit to Replace an HVAC System or Water Heater in California?
• Where Can You Install a Heat Pump Water Heater Under Title 24?
• Can an Existing Water Heater Serve a New Addition?

View all Water Heaters answers (12) →

Back to the Title 24 guide or all Title 24 questions.