Title 24 New Construction Reports — CF1R Energy Compliance for New Homes
Title 24 Calcs prepares Title 24 CF1R energy compliance reports for new residential construction throughout California. We serve single-family homes, custom homes, and production homes across all 16 California climate zones. Most new construction reports are ready within 1 to 2 business days starting at $250. See our cities service area for your location. Read our full 2025 Title 24 code changes guide for more detail.
Specifically, California requires a Title 24 energy compliance report for every new single-family home. This applies to all permits submitted on or after January 1, 2026. The 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards represent the most significant update to the energy code since 2019. Specifically, the 2025 code introduces heat pump baselines and higher insulation minimums. It also adds mandatory solar PV for commercial buildings and expanded HERS verification. Furthermore, a new compliance metric called Long-Term System Cost now applies. Furthermore, every new home must now include battery readiness wiring as a standard requirement.
Title 24 Calcs prepares new construction reports for contractors, builders, architects, and homeowners throughout California. We use current CEC-approved software updated to the 2025 code. Additionally, we register every CF1R with an approved HERS provider before delivery. This means your report arrives ready for building department submittal.
Title 24 New Construction Report — key facts:
• Code: 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards — effective January 1, 2026
• Project types: Single-family homes, custom homes, production homes, spec homes
• Climate zones: All 16 California climate zones covered
• Starting price: $250 | Turnaround: 1 to 2 business days
• Includes: CF1R report, HERS registration, plan-sized PDFs, revision support
What the 2025 Code Requires for New Home Construction
The 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards took effect on January 1, 2026. These standards apply to every new single-family home submitted for permit from that date forward. Furthermore, the 2025 code is significantly more demanding than the 2022 code in several key areas.
| System | 2025 Code Requirement | Change from 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Space Heating | Heat pump baseline — prescriptive path | 🔴 Major change — gas no longer prescriptive baseline |
| Water Heating | Heat pump water heater baseline | 🔴 Major change — tankless gas no longer prescriptive |
| Solar PV | Mandatory — sized to climate zone formula | 🟡 Expanded — new formula applies |
| Battery Readiness | Mandatory wiring and panel capacity | 🔴 New requirement — did not exist in 2022 |
| Wall Insulation | R-15 minimum for 2×4 walls | 🟡 Increased from R-13 |
| Ceiling Insulation | R-38 minimum across all climate zones | 🟡 Increased in several zones |
| Windows | U-factor ≤ 0.30, SHGC ≤ 0.23 | 🟡 Tightened in several zones |
| Duct Leakage | Maximum 5% of system airflow | 🟡 Tightened from previous standard |
| HERS Verification | Heat pump refrigerant charge — all zones | 🔴 New measure — mandatory in all 16 zones |
| Compliance Metric | Long-Term System Cost (LSC) | 🔴 Replaces Time Dependent Valuation (TDV) |
The compliance metric change from TDV to Long-Term System Cost has significant practical implications. Under LSC, all-electric designs score much better than gas designs. Consequently, the 2025 code strongly favors all-electric new homes over mixed-fuel homes. Consequently, this is the primary reason heat pumps became the prescriptive baseline.
Prescriptive vs Performance — Choosing the Right Compliance Path
Specifically, California Title 24 offers two compliance paths for new home construction. Both paths produce a valid CF1R. However, each has different implications for your design, cost, and flexibility. Therefore, choosing the right path before starting your report saves time and avoids plan check corrections.
| Factor | Prescriptive Path | Performance Path |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Follow a fixed checklist of minimum measures | Model the building and meet an energy budget |
| Heat pump | Mandatory for most new homes | Not mandatory if energy budget met another way |
| Gas appliances | Not the baseline — performance path needed | Allowed if overall energy budget met |
| Design flexibility | Low — follow the checklist | High — trade off between systems |
| Report complexity | Lower — faster to prepare | Higher — detailed energy modeling required |
| Best for | Standard all-electric new homes | Custom designs, mixed-fuel homes, complex layouts |
The prescriptive path works well for most standard new home construction. In practice, an all-electric home with a heat pump and solar PV passes the prescriptive path easily. The performance path suits custom homes where the designer wants to trade off one system against another.
Therefore, Title 24 Calcs recommends the best compliance path for your specific project before starting any report. See our full prescriptive vs performance guide for a detailed comparison. In this way, we help you make an informed decision before construction begins.
Solar PV Requirements for New Home Construction
Notably, solar PV has been mandatory for most new single-family homes in California since 2020. Under the 2025 code, the sizing formula changed to account for the new Long-Term System Cost compliance metric. Specifically, the capacity factor for each climate zone now determines the minimum system size.
Specifically, the solar PV size for your new home depends on three factors. First, the climate zone capacity factor for your project address. Second, the conditioned floor area of the home. Third, whether the home uses the prescriptive or performance compliance path. Consequently, Title 24 Calcs calculates the exact PV system size before preparing your CF1R.
| Climate Zone | Key Cities | PV Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 6 | Coastal LA, coastal San Diego | Lowest — mild coastal climate |
| Zone 7 | Chula Vista, Carlsbad | Low — Mediterranean climate |
| Zone 8 | Irvine, Anaheim | Moderate — warmer inland OC |
| Zone 10 | Corona, Temecula, Fontana | High — hot Inland Empire |
| Zone 12 | Sacramento | High — hot summers and cold winters |
| Zone 13 | Fresno | Very high — extreme Central Valley heat |
| Zone 15 | Palm Springs, Palm Desert | Highest — extreme desert climate |
Solar PV Exception and Battery Readiness
Moreover, battery readiness wiring must accompany the solar PV system on all new homes under the 2025 code. Specifically, this requires an electrical panel with sufficient capacity and a dedicated wiring pathway for future battery storage. The CF1R documents these requirements for the electrician and building inspector.
Heat Pump Requirements for New Home Construction
Heat pumps are the prescriptive baseline for most new California homes under the 2025 code. Read our Title 24 water heater guide for more on heat pump water heater requirements. Specifically, this covers both space heating and water heating. In fact, this is the single biggest change from the 2022 code. Previously, gas furnaces and gas water heaters served as the prescriptive baseline. Under the 2025 code, the new Long-Term System Cost metric makes all-electric designs score significantly better.
Specifically, there are two types of heat pumps relevant to new home construction under the 2025 code:
- Heat pump for space heating and cooling — replaces the traditional gas furnace and air conditioner combination. A single heat pump handles both heating and cooling. It operates at higher efficiency than separate gas and electric systems.
- Heat pump water heater (HPWH) — replaces the gas tankless or tank water heater. HPWHs extract heat from the surrounding air to heat water. They use approximately 60 percent less energy than a standard electric resistance water heater.
Can I Still Use Gas in a New Home?
Gas appliances remain an option under the performance compliance path. However, a gas home must offset the energy difference through other efficiency improvements. These typically include more insulation, better windows, or a larger solar PV system. In practice, this approach often costs more than simply installing a heat pump.
Furthermore, Title 24 Calcs specifies the correct heat pump efficiency ratings for your climate zone on every CF1R. Additionally, we specify duct insulation and leakage targets to help your HVAC contractor pass HERS testing first time.
CF1R, CF2R, and CF3R for New Home Construction
Specifically, new home construction in California follows a three-certificate compliance system. Each certificate covers a different phase of construction. Furthermore, all three must register with an approved HERS provider before your building department issues a certificate of occupancy.
| CF1R Certificate of Compliance. Title 24 Calcs prepares this document. Submitted with the permit application at plan check. Shows the new home design meets all 2025 energy code requirements. | CF2R Certificate of Installation. The installing contractor signs this for each energy system. Notably, it covers insulation, HVAC, heat pump water heater, solar PV, windows, and lighting fixtures. | CF3R Certificate of Verification. A certified HERS Rater signs this after field verification. Specifically, it covers duct leakage, refrigerant charge, ventilation, and battery readiness. |
HERS Testing for New Home Construction
Moreover, HERS testing is third-party field verification of your new home’s energy systems. A certified HERS Rater visits the construction site after installation to verify that systems perform as your CF1R specifies. Moreover, your building department requires this verification before issuing a certificate of occupancy.
Under the 2025 code, these HERS measures apply to most new single-family homes:
- Duct leakage testing — the duct system must leak less than 5 percent of system airflow. In practice, getting duct sealing right before the HERS Rater visits prevents costly re-testing delays.
- Heat pump refrigerant charge verification — mandatory in all 16 California climate zones under the 2025 code. This is a new requirement that did not exist under the 2022 code.
- Whole-house ventilation flow rate — confirms the mechanical ventilation system delivers the required fresh air volume.
- Envelope leakage testing — a blower door test confirms the building envelope meets air sealing requirements. This applies in several climate zones.
- Battery readiness panel verification — confirms the electrical panel meets future battery storage requirements.
- Fault indicator display — heat pump and HVAC systems must include diagnostic displays. The HERS Rater confirms these displays are present and functional.
Additionally, your CF1R lists the specific HERS measures for your project. Title 24 Calcs identifies all applicable measures before you begin construction. Consequently, this helps your subcontractors prepare and avoid failed HERS tests. The California Energy Commission maintains the official list of approved HERS providers.
New Home Construction Requirements by Climate Zone
California’s 16 climate zones each have different insulation, window, HVAC efficiency, and solar PV requirements for new home construction. Your climate zone depends on your project address — not your city or county. Furthermore, some cities span multiple climate zones. Title 24 Calcs confirms your exact zone by parcel address before starting any report.
Using the wrong climate zone is the most common cause of new construction plan check corrections. Specifically, a Zone 9 report on a Zone 10 project shows incorrect insulation values. It also produces wrong HVAC thresholds and an undersized solar PV system. This results in a plan check correction and permit delay. Therefore, we prevent this by verifying your zone before starting every report.
We serve new home construction projects across all California climate zones. Key cities we serve include Irvine, Anaheim, Corona, and Temecula. Additionally, we cover Murrieta, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and Ontario. Additionally, we serve San Bernardino, Sacramento, Fresno, Palm Springs, and Palm Desert. See our full California climate zones guide and cities service area for all locations.
Frequently Asked Questions — Title 24 New Construction
Do I need a Title 24 report for new home construction in California?
Yes. Every new single-family home needs a Title 24 CF1R energy compliance report. This applies to all permits submitted on or after January 1, 2026. Your building department will not issue a permit without it. Moreover, a report prepared under the 2022 code will not pass plan check after January 1, 2026.
Does my new home need a heat pump under the 2025 code?
Under the prescriptive path, heat pumps are the baseline for space and water heating in most new homes. However, gas appliances remain an option under the performance path. This works when your design meets the energy budget through other means. Consequently, Title 24 Calcs identifies the best compliance path for your specific design before starting your report.
Does my new home need solar PV?
Yes. Solar PV is mandatory for most new single-family homes in California. The system size depends on your climate zone capacity factor and conditioned floor area. Therefore, Title 24 Calcs calculates the exact PV size for your project. Some homes qualify for a PV exception when roof shading or structural constraints apply.
What is battery readiness and does my new home need it?
Battery readiness is a 2025 code requirement for most new homes. Specifically, it requires an electrical panel with sufficient capacity and a dedicated wiring pathway for future battery storage. The electrician installs the wiring during construction. The HERS Rater verifies it before final inspection.
How much does a Title 24 new construction report cost?
Pricing starts at $250 for eligible residential new construction projects. This includes the CF1R Certificate of Compliance, HERS registration, plan-sized PDFs, and revision support. See our pricing page for current rates.
How long does a Title 24 new construction report take?
Most new construction reports are ready within 1 to 2 business days after we receive complete plans. Rush options are available for urgent submittals.
What plans do I need to provide?
Provide a floor plan with dimensions and north arrow, exterior elevations, window schedule, equipment types, and project address. Furthermore, providing the mechanical plan helps us specify duct layout and leakage targets accurately.