New Construction Title 24 Energy Reports

Who Needs a New Construction Title 24 Report

Homeowners, contractors, architects, and developers undertaking new construction projects in California typically need a Title 24 report as part of the permit process. Title 24 is a statewide California energy code. New construction projects follow the same statewide standards; the exact requirements depend on your project's scope and address, which we model in CEC-approved compliance software.

This page covers new single-family homes. New duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes are covered on our multifamily Title 24 report page, new ADUs on the ADU Title 24 report page, and new commercial buildings can be quoted through our commercial quote request.

What Triggers Title 24 on New Construction

Every newly constructed conditioned building in California falls under the Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6). For a new home, that includes a ground-up house on a vacant lot, a tear-down and rebuild, and a replacement home after a fire. The 2025 Standards apply to permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026; projects submitted earlier generally follow the 2022 Standards. More background is in do new construction projects need Title 24?

What the Energy Model Looks At

Almost all new homes use the performance method. The whole house is modeled in CEC-approved compliance software and compared with a code-defined standard design of the same size, shape and climate zone. If the proposed home uses no more energy than the standard design, it complies. The model covers:

• Building envelope — wall, roof and floor assemblies, insulation, and attic design
• Windows — glazing area, orientation and performance ratings. See new construction window requirements.
• Heating and cooling — equipment type and efficiency, duct location and sealing. See new construction HVAC requirements.
• Water heating — heat pump, gas or tankless, and its efficiency
• Ventilation and lighting — mandatory indoor air quality ventilation and lighting measures
• Solar PV and battery — system size and, where it applies, battery storage

The complete checklist is on new construction Title 24 requirements, and the modeling step is explained in Title 24 calculations.

Solar PV requirement for new homes

Solar PV has been required for most newly constructed single-family homes since the 2019 Standards took effect in 2020. The report calculates the required system size for your home and climate zone and notes any exceptions, such as limited solar access. See new construction solar requirements.

Heat pumps and electric-ready homes

The 2022 and 2025 code cycles put strong emphasis on heat pumps for space heating and water heating, along with electric-ready measures. A gas-fueled design is not automatically ruled out, but it usually needs other efficiency measures to comply, while a heat pump design often complies more easily. See new construction heat pump requirements and, for your zone, pages such as Climate Zone 9 new home requirements.

What We Need

• Architectural plans (PDF) — floor plans, elevations, sections, a window schedule and a site plan showing orientation
• Project address (this sets the climate zone)
• Scope of work, including planned HVAC, water heating and solar
• Contact information
• Any plan-check comments (if available)

See documents needed for new construction.

Pricing

• ADU — from $199
• Residential — from $245 (projects under 3,500 sq ft included, +$49 per 500 sq ft after)
• Multifamily — from $345 per building

New single-family homes are ordered as a Residential report. The final price follows the square footage on the plans; if an adjustment is needed, we contact you before proceeding. See new construction Title 24 cost or the pricing page.

Turnaround

Standard turnaround: 2–3 business days. Rush (next business day): +$49 ADU / +$99 Residential / +$149 Multifamily. Super Rush (same day — typically within a few hours): +$150. Every report includes two revisions.

What You'll Receive

• Permit-ready Title 24 energy report
• CF1R documentation (LMCC when applicable)
• CHEERS registration (when applicable)
• Professionally signed report
• PDF delivery, formatted for city submission
• Two revisions included

Common Plan-Check Issues

• Solar PV size on the plans not matching the size in the report
• Window schedule or orientation on the site plan differing from the model
• HVAC or water heater type changed during design but not updated in the report
• HERS verification items flagged in the report not noted on the plans

See new construction plan-check corrections and what to do if plans change after you order.

Sample Report

Your delivered package is a professionally signed, registry-registered PDF containing your CF1R (and LMCC where applicable) and all required compliance forms — formatted and ready to submit with your permit application. See what a CF1R is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every new home in California need solar?

Most newly constructed single-family homes do. Exceptions exist, for example where the roof has limited solar access. The report determines the required size and any exception.

Do I have to use a heat pump in a new home?

The current code cycles strongly favor heat pumps, and the standard design the model compares against reflects that. Other systems can comply, but usually need additional efficiency measures elsewhere in the home.

Will my new home need HERS verification?

Yes, new homes typically have several HERS field verification items, such as duct leakage, refrigerant charge, airflow and quality insulation installation. The rater tests them after installation. See HERS rater vs Title 24 report.

Which code cycle applies to my project?

It depends on when the permit application is submitted. Applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026 follow the 2025 Standards. See the Title 24 code guide.