California Energy Code: Sacramento Homeowners
Title 24 took effect January 1, 2026. Heat pumps are now the code baseline for new homes in Climate Zone 12. Fresh Air pulls all permits and handles code work on every install.
Title 24 is California's energy code. It was updated in 2024 and took effect in 2026. For homes in Climate Zone 12, code now favors heat pumps over gas furnaces in new builds. Fresh Air has done 900-plus installs since 2009. We know the local rules. We pull all permits. We set up every check. You do not need to track code changes yourself.
State energy code set heat pumps as the baseline for new homes in Climate Zone 12. New homes built under a permit after January 2026 must meet this code. Fresh Air installs code-compliant heat pump units on both new builds and swaps.
Title 24 rules are stricter for new builds than for swaps. A like-for-like swap in an old home often has more room. Fresh Air checks which rules apply to your project at the free quote, before any work starts.
Fresh Air handles all permit filings, plan submittals, and checks for Sacramento-area installs. Skipping permits can void your unit warranty and create resale problems. We never skip this step.
If you swap a failed AC or furnace in an old home, code often gives more room. You may swap with a like-for-like unit in many cases. But if your project triggers a full HVAC swap or a remodel permit, code may require heat pump units or other upgrades. Fresh Air reviews your case at the free quote and tells you what code requires.
For new builds in the area, state energy code favors heat pumps more and more. Builders and homeowners adding new HVAC units under a new-build permit face stricter rules than those doing swaps. Fresh Air works with both groups. We have served the area since 2009 and know the local permit office rules for plan submittals and checks.
Not always. A like-for-like swap in an old home often lets you swap with the same unit type. If your project adds a new duct run or hits a remodel trigger, code may require upgrades. Fresh Air identifies your code path at the free quote.
California splits the state into climate zones for energy code. Sacramento Valley falls in Climate Zone 12. Each zone has its own rules for duct wrap, unit efficiency, and air sealing. Zone 12 hot summers and mild winters make heat pumps a strong fit.
Yes. Fresh Air files permits, submits plans, and sets up all checks on every install. This is part of our standard process, not an add-on. Permit work protects your unit warranty and your home resale value.
Call (916) 416-8181 or visit /contact/ to book your free quote. Fresh Air, licensed CSLB #945361, insured, family-run since 2009. We serve Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Elk Grove, and nearby areas.