A California AC quote looks different from an Arizona AC quote for a reason. Title 24 Part 6 is California’s building energy code, and it governs what equipment can be installed, how it is sized, and what documentation has to follow the install. This page explains what Title 24 actually requires and why it shows up on the line items of a CA quote.
What Title 24 Part 6 Actually Is
Title 24 Part 6 is the California Building Standards Code section that governs energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. It is administered by the California Energy Commission and updated on a three-year cycle (the 2022 code is the active version, the 2025 code becomes effective in 2026).
For residential HVAC, Title 24 Part 6 governs:
- The minimum efficiency of the equipment that can be installed (SEER2, EER2, HSPF2)
- The sizing methodology - California adopted the federal rule that requires ACCA Manual J (or an equivalent) load calculation for new installs and replacements that change the equipment
- The refrigerant type - new equipment manufactured after January 1, 2025 must use a lower-GWP refrigerant (R-454B for most residential applications)
- The duct system performance - ducts in unconditioned space must meet specific leakage and insulation targets
- The whole-system performance, not just the equipment rating - a high-SEER2 unit installed with leaky ducts can fail Title 24 verification
Title 24 does not apply to every AC job. It applies to “regulated equipment changes” - new installations, equipment replacements that change efficiency or fuel type, and system modifications that change the conditioned space.
A like-for-like swap of a 14-SEER2 condenser for another 14-SEER2 condenser in the same location typically does not trigger Title 24 documentation. A 14-SEER2 to 17-SEER2 upgrade, a fuel type change, a ductless addition, or an ADU install does trigger it.
How Title 24 Shapes the Equipment You Can Install
The SEER2 rating on the nameplate is a federal metric. Title 24 sets a state-level floor that varies by climate zone and equipment type. California has 16 climate zones; the populated areas of Los Angeles County are mostly zones 9 and 10, with foothill and high-desert areas in zone 14 or 16.
For a split-system AC in climate zone 10 (most of LA basin):
- Title 24 minimum SEER2: 14.3 (2022 code, in effect through 2025)
- Title 24 minimum SEER2: 15.2 (2025 code, effective 2026)
For a split-system AC in climate zone 14 (foothill, high desert):
- Title 24 minimum SEER2: 14.3 (2022 code)
- Title 24 minimum SEER2: 15.2 (2025 code)
For a ductless mini-split in climate zone 10:
- Title 24 minimum SEER2: 14.3 (2022 code)
- Title 24 minimum SEER2: 15.2 (2025 code)
The 2025 code bump is real - a unit that was code-compliant in 2024 may not pass a 2026 install. Comfort Pros specifies equipment that clears the current code floor with margin, so the unit that goes in today will still pass any inspection the jurisdiction runs.
What Title 24 Requires on the Documentation Side
When Title 24 applies to a scope of work, three things have to happen:
1. A load calculation per ACCA Manual J. The Manual J (or an equivalent accepted by the jurisdiction) determines the required cooling and heating capacity of the equipment. Comfort Pros runs the Manual J as part of TrueQuote AI - it is the same calculation that generates the load-based equipment recommendation, and the same calculation that backs the Title 24 compliance documentation.
2. An equipment selection per ACCA Manual S. Manual S picks equipment from the load calculation. The selected equipment must be within 5% of the load (under-sizing or over-sizing more than 15% outside the load is a Title 24 failure on most CA installations).
3. A compliance certificate (CF-3R) filed with the permit. The CF-3R is the registered title-24 compliance document. It is signed by the installing contractor, registered with the California Energy Commission registry, and submitted with the permit application. The CF-3R documents the load calculation inputs, the equipment selection, the duct leakage target, and the refrigerant charge.
The CF-3R documentation is real work with real cost. It is not optional, and a CA quote that omits it is not a complete quote.
How Title 24 Differs From Arizona Requirements
Arizona does not have a state-level energy code as comprehensive as Title 24. The Arizona energy code is governed by the IRC (International Residential Code) with state-specific amendments, which adopt the federal SEER2 minimums and require ACCA Manual J for new installations, but does not require the CF-3R-style compliance documentation.
The practical differences:
| Arizona | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy code | IRC with AZ amendments | Title 24 Part 6 (state-specific) |
| Manual J required | For new installations | For new installations and most replacements |
| Compliance certificate | Not required | CF-3R required for regulated work |
| Equipment efficiency floor | Federal SEER2 minimum | Title 24 SEER2 floor (typically above federal minimum) |
| Refrigerant requirement | Federal phase-out (R-410A to R-454B for new equipment) | Federal phase-out, with state reporting |
| Permit required | Yes, city-by-city | Yes, city or county |
| Permit fees | $50-$150 typical | $80-$300 typical |
| Plan-check needed | Rarely | Sometimes (system conversions, ADU work) |
| Inspection required | Yes, on completion | Yes, on completion |
The result is that a CA AC install quote includes Title 24 documentation work that an AZ install quote does not, and the CA permit fees are typically higher. The equipment cost is the same; the install scope and the documentation are different.
Why Your CA AC Quote Has These Line Items
A typical CA AC installation quote will include:
| Line item | What it is |
|---|---|
| Equipment (condenser, coil, line set) | The matched system per Manual S |
| TrueQuote AI load calculation | Manual J against the address - same input the Title 24 CF-3R documents |
| Labor | Removal of old equipment, install of new, line set brazed under nitrogen, system evacuation, charge by weight |
| Title 24 CF-3R documentation | The compliance certificate filed with the CEC registry |
| Permit and inspection | City or county mechanical permit, scheduled and managed by Comfort Pros |
| Refrigerant recovery | EPA Section 608 compliant recovery of the old refrigerant before disposal |
| Electrical work | Dedicated circuit, disconnect at the outdoor unit, breaker if needed |
| Title 24 duct verification | Duct leakage test if ducts are in unconditioned space |
The CF-3R documentation is what distinguishes a CA-compliant install from an AZ install of the same equipment.
The Title 24 Inspection Itself
After the install, the work is inspected by the city or county building department. The inspector verifies:
- The equipment matches what is on the CF-3R (model number, SEER2 rating, refrigerant type)
- The equipment is installed per manufacturer instructions and code (clearances, line set routing, electrical terminations)
- The refrigerant charge is correct (verified by subcooling or superheat, depending on the system)
- The duct leakage target is met (if ducts are in unconditioned space)
- The condensate routing is correct
- The combustion air and venting are correct on gas furnace installations
- The smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home are in working order (furnace replacement triggers this)
Comfort Pros meets the inspector on site on the install day. If the inspection flags an issue, we resolve it before leaving. The install is not “done” until the inspection passes.
When Title 24 Does Not Apply
Title 24 Part 6 does not apply to every scope of work. The exclusions:
- Like-for-like equipment replacement of the same efficiency in the same location, with no ductwork changes
- Repair-only work that does not change the equipment (capacitor replacement, contactor replacement, refrigerant leak repair)
- Maintenance work that does not change equipment or ductwork
A repair does not trigger Title 24 documentation. A replacement that triggers Title 24 may also include elements that are exempt from CF-3R (the repair portions of the scope). Comfort Pros tells you on the diagnostic which elements of your scope are Title 24 regulated and which are not.
What Comfort Pros Does Differently on CA Installs
Pulls every permit. No exceptions. The permit fee is on the quote.
Files the CF-3R for every Title 24 regulated scope. The compliance certificate is registered with the CEC registry.
Meets the inspector on site. The install is not complete until the inspection passes.
Specifies equipment that clears Title 24 with margin. A unit that is exactly at the floor fails if the floor moves. Comfort Pros specifies units that are at least one tier above the floor.
Runs the Manual J against the address, not the square footage. Manual J requires climate data, orientation, window U-value, envelope insulation R-value, and internal loads. Comfort Pros TrueQuote AI does this calculation for every install - it is the same calculation that backs the Title 24 CF-3R.
Uses OEM-spec parts and accessories. Title 24 documentation requires that the equipment match the nameplate. OEM-spec parts keep the documentation valid.
If you are weighing an AC install or replacement in California and want to understand what Title 24 means for your specific scope, the right first step is a diagnostic that includes the Manual J load calculation. The output is the equipment recommendation, the Title 24 compliance path, and the install quote - all on one page.
If you are weighing an AC install or replacement in California - request a TrueQuote AI load calculation or read more about AC installation cost in AZ and CA.