Short answer: A CF1R is the Certificate of Compliance for residential buildings under California's Title 24 energy code. It is prepared from your plans before the permit, shows that the design meets the energy standards, and lists the features the building must be built with. The building department reviews it at plan check, and HERS raters and inspectors use it in the field.
A CF1R — Certificate of Compliance for Residential buildings — is the primary output document of a residential Title 24 energy compliance report. It is generated using CEC-approved compliance software and, where the project requires it, registered with an approved California data registry such as CHEERS before it is submitted to the building department.
The CF1R outlines all the energy efficiency measures your project is designed to meet — including insulation R-values, window U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), HVAC equipment efficiency ratings, duct performance, water heater type, and lighting. Building departments use it to verify compliance during plan check. HERS raters use it during field verification and testing.
The Title 24 Certificate of Compliance
The CF1R is what most people mean by "Title 24 certification" on a residential project. There is no personal certification to obtain — the certificate is the document that proves the design complies. It is signed by the documentation author who prepared it and by the responsible designer.
CF1R reports are typically required for:
- New single-family homes
- Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), including detached, attached, and garage conversions
- Many room additions and conditioned-space alterations, depending on project scope and local jurisdiction requirements
- Any project where the building envelope, HVAC, or water heating is significantly altered
Low-rise multifamily buildings use the LMCC instead; see CF1R vs LMCC for which one applies. To check whether your project needs one at all, see when Title 24 is required.
Title 24 Documents: CF1R, CF2R and CF3R
Residential Title 24 forms come in three stages. The CF1R starts the chain; the later forms confirm the building matches it.
| Form | Name | Who completes it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| CF1R | Certificate of Compliance | Energy consultant (documentation author), signed by the responsible designer | Design stage, before the permit |
| CF2R | Certificate of Installation | Installing contractor | During construction |
| CF3R | Certificate of Verification | HERS rater | After installation, during field verification |
The inspector checks that the CF2R and, where required, CF3R forms are complete before final. Field verification is called ECC verification under the 2025 code cycle, though many people still say HERS. See HERS rater vs Title 24 report.
How to Read a CF1R
Layouts vary by software and code cycle, but most CF1Rs contain the same sections.
Project information
Address, climate zone, building type, conditioned floor area, number of stories and bedrooms, and the scope (new construction, addition or alteration). Check these first — a wrong climate zone or floor area affects everything else.
Compliance results
For performance reports, a summary compares the proposed design's energy use with the standard design. The project passes when the proposed design meets or beats the budget. The Title 24 calculations page explains this comparison.
Building envelope
Wall, roof, ceiling and floor assemblies with their insulation, plus each window and glazed door with its area, orientation, U-factor and SHGC. These values become the minimum that must be installed.
HVAC section
Heating and cooling equipment type and efficiency, duct location and insulation, and ventilation (indoor air quality) fans. This section also shows which HVAC items need field verification — such as duct leakage testing, refrigerant charge, airflow and fan efficacy. If you swap equipment during construction, it must still meet what is listed here.
Water heating
Water heater type (heat pump, gas, tankless), efficiency and distribution details.
HERS / ECC verification summary
A list of every measure that a rater must verify in the field. Share this with your HVAC contractor and insulation installer early, because it drives testing on site.
Signatures and registration
The documentation author's and responsible designer's declarations, plus the registration number and watermark when the form is registered.
Getting a CF1R From Title24Comply
Our CF1R report process is fully online. Upload your plans, complete checkout, and receive your permit-ready CF1R report — registered where the project requires it — within 2–3 business days. ADU reports start at $199 and single-family residential at $245, with two revisions included. See pricing or order now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CF1R-ADD-01 form?
It is the prescriptive CF1R used for some additions, where each component meets the listed requirements instead of being modeled. Many additions use the performance form (CF1R-PRF-01) instead. Form names can change between code cycles.
What is a CF1R-ALT-02 form?
It is the prescriptive CF1R for HVAC alterations, such as a furnace, air conditioner or heat pump changeout, and it lists any required HERS verification. Form names can change between code cycles, so your building department may reference a different number. See HVAC replacement Title 24.
Who can prepare a CF1R?
An energy consultant or documentation author prepares it in CEC-approved software, and the responsible designer signs it. For typical residential work a licensed engineer is not required.
Do I need a new CF1R if my plans change?
Often yes, if the change affects energy features such as windows, HVAC or floor area. See if my plans change.