California law requires a permit and Title 24 energy inspection every time an HVAC system is replaced or altered. Here's what that means for you — and how to make sure your contractor does it right.
In California, a permit and Title 24 energy compliance inspection are required any time your HVAC system is replaced or altered — regardless of the age of your home or the size of the system.
Replacing your outdoor air conditioner or condenser unit requires a permit and Title 24 inspection in all California climate zones.
Replacing your furnace or forced air unit requires a permit to be pulled before work begins and a Title 24 inspection before the job is signed off.
Any replacement or alteration of your home's ductwork requires a permit and duct leakage testing to verify the system is properly sealed.
Installing or replacing a heat pump requires a permit and Title 24 verification. Under California's 2025 energy code, some AC replacements now require upgrading to a heat pump.
Even if your contractor does not mention a permit, California law requires one. If unpermitted work is discovered later — during a home sale, insurance claim, or city inspection — the consequences fall on you as the homeowner, not just the contractor.
Most homeowners assume their contractor handles everything correctly. But many HVAC installations in California are completed without the required permit and Title 24 inspection — leaving homeowners exposed to serious risk.
Unpermitted HVAC work is flagged during escrow. Buyers walk away or demand price reductions — costing you thousands at closing and potentially derailing the sale entirely.
If a fire or damage occurs and the HVAC work was unpermitted, your insurance company can deny the entire claim — leaving you with nothing.
Getting a permit after the fact costs 2–3x more than doing it right the first time. Walls may need to be opened for inspection access. You pay for all of it.
A Title 24 inspection verifies the system was installed correctly and safely. Without it, faulty installations go undetected and can create hazards in your home.
A contractor completed an HVAC install without a permit. When the homeowner went to sell, the unpermitted work was flagged during escrow. The contractor paid a $2,800 fine, retroactive permit fees, and wall repair costs for inspection access. Total cost exceeded $7,000 on a job originally priced at $4,500 — and the home sale was delayed three weeks.
Before signing anything or allowing work to start, ask your HVAC contractor these questions. A legitimate, licensed contractor will have no problem answering all of them.
The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) advises homeowners to beware of any contractor that offers a lower price to install a unit without a permit — having a permit ensures work will be inspected. A properly permitted and inspected HVAC system can yield up to a 300% return on your investment through lower energy bills over the life of the equipment.
Whether you're a homeowner trying to understand your rights or need help verifying that your HVAC work was done correctly — give us a call or send us an email. We're happy to point you in the right direction.