Title 24 Compliance Guide

A comprehensive step-by-step guide to achieving California Title 24 energy compliance for your building projects.

Step 1: Determine Your Project Type

First, identify whether your project is residential or nonresidential:

• Residential (CBECC-Res): Single-family homes, multifamily buildings up to 3 stories, townhouses
• Nonresidential (CBECC-Com): Commercial buildings, high-rise residential (4+ stories), offices, retail, schools

Step 2: Identify Your Climate Zone

California has 16 climate zones. Your climate zone determines specific energy requirements:

1. Visit the CEC Climate Zone Tool at energy.ca.gov
2. Enter your project address or parcel number
3. Document the climate zone number (1-16) for your reports

Step 3: Choose Your Compliance Path

There are two main compliance approaches:

Prescriptive Compliance

Follow specific requirements for each building component:

• Use prescriptive tables for envelope, HVAC, lighting
• Meet minimum efficiency ratings
• Simpler but less flexible
• Best for straightforward projects

Performance Compliance

Compare your design to a standard reference building:

• Allows trade-offs between components
• More flexibility in design
• Requires energy modeling software
• Must meet or exceed standard design performance

Step 4: Gather Building Information

Collect detailed specifications for all energy-related components:

Step 5: Verify Mandatory Measures

All projects must comply with mandatory requirements regardless of compliance path:

• Minimum equipment efficiency standards
• Insulation requirements for climate zone
• Air sealing and duct testing requirements
• Lighting controls and occupancy sensors
• Water heating efficiency minimums
• Ventilation and indoor air quality standards

Step 6: Generate Compliance Reports

Use CEC-approved software to generate required documentation:

Required Forms:

• CF-1R (Residential): Certificate of Compliance showing energy budget compliance
• CF-2R: Certificate of Installation documenting field installations
• CF-3R: Certificate of Verification for HERS verification
• Energy Analysis: Detailed calculations and modeling results

Step 7: HERS Verification (If Required)

Certain measures require verification by a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Rater:

• Duct leakage testing
• Refrigerant charge verification
• Airflow measurements
• Quality Insulation Installation (QII)

Step 8: Submit to Building Department

Submit your compliance package with building permit application:

1. Print signed copies of CF-1R and supporting forms
2. Include energy analysis reports
3. Submit with architectural plans during plan check
4. Register compliance forms with CEC Data Registry
5. Respond to any plan check corrections

Step 9: Field Verification During Construction

Ensure installations match approved plans:

• Schedule HERS inspections at appropriate stages
• Document actual installations on CF-2R forms
• Perform required testing (duct leakage, airflow)
• Make corrections if installations deviate from plans

Step 10: Final Compliance and Certificate of Occupancy

Complete the compliance process:

1. Submit final CF-2R and CF-3R forms to building department
2. Register all final documents with CEC Data Registry
3. Pass final building inspection
4. Receive Certificate of Occupancy

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Wrong climate zone selection
• Missing mandatory measures
• Incomplete equipment specifications
• Failure to register forms with CEC
• Not scheduling HERS verifications early enough
• Installing equipment that doesn't match approved plans

Additional Resources

• CEC Building Energy Efficiency Standards
• What is Title 24?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• CertifiedT24 Blog