What Is a Title 24 Report and How Can You Get One?

Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems

A California permit project can lose valuable time when the energy documentation is requested after the plans are already complete. What Is a Title 24 Report and How Can You Get One is therefore an important question for homeowners, contractors, architects, designers, developers, property managers, and business owners planning permitted construction.

A Title 24 report is a project-specific energy-compliance analysis prepared to show how a proposed building design addresses California’s applicable energy-efficiency requirements. The report evaluates the energy-related features shown in the plans and produces compliance forms that support the permit application.

Getting one generally begins by contacting an experienced energy consultant and submitting the available construction documents. The consultant reviews the project scope, identifies missing specifications, completes the applicable calculations, and prepares forms that must remain coordinated with the plans.

Alternative Energy Systems has more than 30 years of experience preparing California energy-compliance documentation for residential, multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial projects. AES helps clients understand what information is needed, how the process works, and what must happen before the report is ready for permit submittal.

Call (626) 365-1518 to discuss your project, request a quote, or find out which plans and specifications should be submitted first.

What Is a Title 24 Report and How Can You Get One for a Permit?

A Title 24 report is a collection of energy calculations, proposed compliance measures, and project-specific forms prepared for a building permit application. It shows how the design addresses the applicable requirements of the California Energy Code.

The report does not replace the architectural, structural, mechanical, or electrical plans. It works alongside them. Information shown in the energy documentation must agree with the building components and systems identified throughout the permit set.

Depending on the project, the report may evaluate:

Wall, ceiling, floor, and roof insulation
Window and glazed-door performance
Window area and orientation
Roofing and cool-roof characteristics
Heating and cooling equipment efficiency
Duct location and related mechanical details
Mechanical ventilation
Domestic water-heating equipment
Residential lighting requirements
Commercial lighting power and controls
Solar-related features when applicable
Measures that may require field verification

To get a report, the project owner or design professional submits the available plans and specifications to a Title 24 consultant. The consultant reviews the documents, asks for missing information, completes the analysis, and generates the applicable compliance forms.

For background on the governing standards, review what Title 24 is and the Title 24 energy code overview.

Why Would You Need a Title 24 Report?

A Title 24 report may be needed when a permit project creates or modifies conditioned space, changes energy-related building components, or affects mechanical, lighting, or water-heating systems.

Projects that commonly require energy documentation include:

New single-family homes
New multifamily buildings
Accessory dwelling units
Garage conversions
Room additions
Major residential remodels
Window and exterior-door alterations
Roofing or insulation projects
HVAC replacements and mechanical alterations
Commercial tenant improvements
Office, retail, and restaurant build-outs
Commercial lighting upgrades
New nonresidential buildings

The exact requirements depend on the scope rather than the general name of the project. Two remodels may require different documentation when one changes only interior finishes and the other changes windows, exterior walls, roofing, HVAC equipment, lighting, or conditioned floor area.

An early project review can help determine whether a report is likely to be needed and which portions of the plans must be developed before the calculations can be completed.

How Can You Get a Title 24 Report?

The process begins by contacting a qualified energy-compliance consultant and providing enough information to define the proposed work. You do not necessarily need every product selection finalized before asking for assistance, but the final report must be based on clear and current project details.

The following process explains how to get a Title 24 report from Alternative Energy Systems.

1. Describe the Project

Tell AES whether the project involves new construction, an ADU, an addition, a garage conversion, a remodel, a multifamily improvement, a commercial tenant improvement, an HVAC replacement, a lighting project, or another permit-related scope.

A clear description helps determine which plans, specifications, and energy systems may need to be evaluated.

2. Submit the Available Plans

Send the current architectural plans and any mechanical, electrical, or supporting documents available for the project. Preliminary plans may be reviewed, but the report cannot be finalized until the essential building information has been established.

3. Provide Product and Equipment Information

Window specifications, insulation values, HVAC equipment, water-heating systems, roof assemblies, lighting information, and other energy-related selections may be necessary to complete the analysis.

When a product has not yet been selected, AES can identify which performance information must eventually be provided.

4. Receive a Project Review and Quote

AES reviews the submitted information to understand the scope, identify missing items, and determine the work involved in preparing the report.

Pricing can vary based on building type, project size, complexity, available documentation, requested turnaround, and whether previous calculations or correction comments must be reviewed.

5. Complete the Energy Analysis

The project is evaluated using the applicable compliance method. The consultant enters the relevant building and system details, reviews the results, and identifies whether the proposed design satisfies the required performance or prescriptive conditions.

6. Resolve Missing or Conflicting Details

The plans may need clarification when window schedules, insulation notes, equipment specifications, floor areas, roof information, or mechanical details are incomplete or inconsistent.

Resolving these questions before the report is finalized can reduce discrepancies during plan review.

7. Receive the Compliance Forms

Once the analysis is complete, the applicable forms are prepared for coordination with the permit drawings. The project team should review the documented measures and make sure they are represented accurately throughout the plan set.

8. Submit the Coordinated Permit Package

The energy forms are submitted with the other required construction documents. The building department then reviews the complete permit package according to its procedures.

Before sending your project files, review what AES will need from you.

What Documents Do You Need to Get a Title 24 Report?

The documents needed will depend on the project type and stage of design. A complete and coordinated plan set generally allows the analysis to move more efficiently, but AES can begin by reviewing the materials already available.

Helpful project documents may include:

Floor plans
Exterior elevations
Building sections
Site plans when relevant to the scope
Roof plans and roof-assembly details
Window and exterior-door schedules
Window manufacturer specifications
Wall, floor, ceiling, and roof insulation notes
HVAC equipment specifications
Duct-location information
Ventilation-system information
Domestic water-heating specifications
Commercial lighting fixture schedules
Commercial lighting-control plans
Mechanical and electrical plans
Building-department correction comments

The report must reflect the actual design. Submitting outdated plans or preliminary specifications without identifying later changes may lead to calculations that no longer match the permit set.

AES can review the available documents and provide a focused request for the remaining information rather than leaving the client to guess what is needed.

What Information Does a Title 24 Consultant Review?

A Title 24 consultant reviews the features that influence the energy performance of the proposed project. The exact review depends on whether the work is residential or nonresidential and whether it involves new construction, an addition, or an alteration.

The consultant may examine:

The proposed conditioned floor area
The orientation and geometry of the building
The thermal characteristics of exterior walls
Roof and ceiling assemblies
Floor assemblies over unconditioned areas
Window area, orientation, and performance ratings
Exterior-door specifications
Heating and cooling equipment
Duct location and insulation
Mechanical ventilation
Water-heating systems
Residential or commercial lighting
Lighting-control strategies
Other code measures connected to the selected compliance path

These components are not always evaluated independently. A design choice in one area can affect what is required elsewhere. For example, glazing performance, insulation, roof characteristics, and mechanical efficiency can interact within the overall energy analysis.

For a closer look at the technical process, visit the Title 24 energy calculations page.

What Forms Are Included in a Title 24 Report?

The specific forms depend on the project type, occupancy, scope, and compliance method. A residential project will not necessarily use the same documentation as a commercial tenant improvement or new nonresidential building.

The compliance package may document:

Project identification and scope
Building-envelope measures
Window and door performance
Mechanical-system efficiency
Ventilation requirements
Water-heating measures
Lighting and lighting-control requirements
Installation responsibilities
Potential field-verification measures

The forms should be treated as part of the construction documentation rather than a separate administrative attachment. Contractors and installers may need to understand the measures listed in the report because those requirements can affect product selection, installation, inspection, and project closeout.

Residential: What Is a Title 24 Report and How Can You Get One?

A residential Title 24 report evaluates the energy-related features of a home, ADU, garage conversion, addition, remodel, or multifamily improvement. It documents how the proposed residential design addresses the applicable energy standards.

Residential analysis may include:

Conditioned floor area
Building orientation
Wall and ceiling insulation
Roof characteristics
Window size and performance
Heating and cooling equipment
Duct location
Ventilation
Domestic water heating
Applicable residential lighting measures

To obtain the report, submit the current residential plans along with the available window, insulation, roofing, HVAC, ventilation, and water-heating information.

The earlier these items are reviewed, the easier it may be to resolve design conflicts before the drawings are submitted for plan check.

How to Get a Title 24 Report for an ADU

Begin by submitting the ADU floor plan, elevations, sections, roof details, window schedule, insulation notes, mechanical information, and water-heating specifications.

A detached ADU may be evaluated as a separate residential structure. An attached ADU or garage conversion may require additional coordination with existing construction.

AES reviews the proposed design, identifies any missing specifications, completes the applicable analysis, and prepares the compliance forms for coordination with the permit plans.

For more project-specific information, visit the ADU Title 24 page.

How to Get a Report for an Addition or Remodel

Submit plans that clearly distinguish the existing building from the proposed work. The documents should identify new conditioned space, altered walls, windows, roofing, insulation, mechanical equipment, water heating, and any other energy-related changes.

Additions and remodels can be more complex than their size suggests because the new work must be evaluated within the context of the existing building. Clear plans help AES understand which components are new, existing, replaced, or unchanged.

Commercial: What Is a Title 24 Report and How Can You Get One?

A commercial Title 24 report documents the applicable energy requirements for a nonresidential project. The report may address the building envelope, mechanical systems, ventilation, service water heating, lighting power, and lighting controls.

Commercial projects that may need energy documentation include:

Office tenant improvements
Retail build-outs
Restaurant improvements
Warehouse alterations
Mixed-use buildings
Commercial HVAC replacements
Interior lighting upgrades
Exterior lighting work
Multifamily common-area improvements
New nonresidential construction

To get a commercial report, provide the architectural plans and the available mechanical, electrical, lighting, control, and equipment information.

Commercial projects often require coordination among several design disciplines. Lighting fixture schedules, electrical plans, mechanical equipment specifications, ventilation calculations, and envelope details should describe the same scope of work.

AES can review the documentation, identify missing information, prepare the applicable analysis, and provide forms for coordination with the permit set.

For related services, review Title 24 compliance services and Title 24 energy analysis.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Title 24 Report?

Turnaround time depends on the building type, project size, design complexity, quality of the submitted plans, and whether important specifications are still undecided.

A coordinated project can generally move more efficiently than one with missing window information, incomplete insulation notes, conflicting floor areas, undecided equipment, or unclear construction details.

Common factors affecting the schedule include:

Whether the plans are preliminary or permit-ready
The size and complexity of the building
The number of conditioned spaces or systems
Whether product specifications are available
Whether design revisions are required
Whether correction comments must be addressed
How quickly requested information is provided

Avoid waiting until the day of permit submission to request the report. Early coordination gives the project team time to answer questions and update the plans before the final package is assembled.

Call (626) 365-1518 to discuss the anticipated schedule for your project.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Title 24 Report?

The cost of a Title 24 report depends on the project type, square footage, design complexity, available documentation, requested turnaround, and whether additional revisions are expected.

A new commercial building generally requires a different level of analysis than a small residential alteration. An ADU with complete plans may also require less coordination than a remodel with unclear existing conditions and several plan-check corrections.

To receive an accurate quote, provide:

A brief description of the proposed work
The current plan set
The project address or jurisdiction
The desired completion schedule
Any existing building-department comments
Information about major design changes

Review Title 24 report pricing in California or call (626) 365-1518 for a project-specific quote.

Can You Get a Title 24 Report Before the Plans Are Finished?

AES can review preliminary documents and identify the information that will be needed, but a final report requires enough detail to complete the analysis accurately.

Starting early can still be beneficial. Preliminary coordination may identify issues involving:

Large window areas
Incomplete insulation assemblies
Undecided roofing characteristics
Proposed HVAC efficiency
Duct locations
Water-heating selections
Commercial lighting power
Lighting-control design

Resolving those issues during design is generally more efficient than discovering them after the plan set has already been completed.

The final calculations should be based on the current design rather than assumptions that may change before submittal.

What Happens After You Get the Title 24 Report?

After the report is completed, the energy measures and forms should be coordinated with the construction drawings. The architect, designer, contractor, or other responsible project professional should verify that the permit plans reflect the values and systems used in the analysis.

The coordinated package is then submitted to the applicable building department. During plan review, the jurisdiction may approve the documentation or issue correction comments requesting clarification or revisions.

The report should also remain available during construction because contractors and inspectors may need to confirm that the required measures have been installed or documented.

Obtaining the report is therefore not the end of the process. The energy requirements must remain consistent from design and permit review through installation and inspection.

What If the Plans Change After You Get the Report?

The report may need to be revised when a design change affects an item included in the original calculations.

Changes that may require review include:

Increasing or reducing conditioned floor area
Changing window sizes or performance ratings
Revising wall, roof, ceiling, or floor insulation
Changing the roofing material or roof characteristics
Selecting different HVAC equipment
Relocating ductwork
Changing ventilation systems
Changing water-heating equipment
Revising commercial lighting fixtures or controls
Changing the overall project scope

Submitting revised plans with outdated energy forms can create inconsistencies during plan review. Send AES the latest plans and a clear description of the changes so the report can be evaluated.

Can You Get a Revised Report for Plan-Check Corrections?

Yes. When the building department identifies an issue involving the energy documentation, AES can review the correction comments and determine whether the calculations, forms, specifications, or plan notes need to be revised.

Submit:

The complete correction notice
The latest architectural plans
Updated mechanical and electrical documents
Revised window, insulation, equipment, or lighting information
A summary of changes made after the original report

The complete correction notice provides important context. An isolated comment may not show how the energy issue relates to the rest of the permit review.

A Title 24 report should remain consistent with the current project documents throughout plan review.

Call (626) 365-1518 if your project has already received corrections.

Does Getting a Title 24 Report Include HERS Testing?

The energy report and HERS field verification are related but separate parts of the compliance process.

The report may identify measures that require field testing or verification, depending on the residential project, mechanical design, duct conditions, equipment, and selected compliance path.

The energy consultant prepares the analysis and compliance forms. Required field tests or verifications are completed separately by the appropriate professional during the applicable stage of construction.

Not every project has the same verification requirements. Reviewing the report early helps the contractor and property owner understand whether additional steps may be necessary later.

For more context about overlapping building requirements, review Title 24 vs. CALGreen.

How Can You Avoid Delays When Getting a Title 24 Report?

The most effective way to reduce delays is to provide clear, current, and coordinated project information.

Before requesting the report:

Confirm that the plan set reflects the current design
Identify existing and proposed construction clearly
Provide a complete window and exterior-door schedule
Show the proposed insulation assemblies
Include HVAC and water-heating specifications
Provide commercial lighting information when applicable
Send all existing plan-check comments
Explain recent design changes
Respond promptly when additional information is requested

Incomplete documentation does not always prevent the process from starting, but it can prevent the report from being finalized.

Early communication also helps the project team understand which design decisions may influence compliance before products are ordered or plans are submitted.

Why Choose Alternative Energy Systems?

Alternative Energy Systems provides professional support for clients who need to understand what a Title 24 report is, determine whether one is required, and obtain the correct documentation for a California permit project.

AES has more than 30 years of experience with residential, multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial energy compliance. The company works with homeowners, contractors, architects, designers, developers, property managers, and business owners.

Services include assistance with:

New residential construction
New commercial construction
ADUs and garage conversions
Room additions
Residential remodels
Multifamily improvements
Commercial tenant improvements
HVAC and lighting projects
Plan-check corrections
Report revisions

AES reviews the actual project documents rather than relying on a generic building description. This helps ensure the analysis reflects the proposed construction and can be coordinated meaningfully with the permit set.

Learn more on the About Us page or review the company’s professional background on the clients page.

Get a Title 24 Report for Your Project

Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems

Knowing What Is a Title 24 Report and How Can You Get One gives you a better starting point, but the next step is submitting the actual project information for review.

Alternative Energy Systems can examine your plans, identify missing energy details, explain the required process, prepare the applicable analysis, and provide compliance forms for coordination with your permit documents.

Call (626) 365-1518 to:

Ask whether your project may require a report
Find out which documents should be submitted
Request a project-specific quote
Discuss turnaround requirements
Get help with plan-check corrections
Request a revision to an existing report

You can also submit project information through the contact page. If service has already been arranged, use the AES payment page.

Do not allow missing energy documentation to become a last-minute permit problem. Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518 and request professional assistance with your Title 24 report.

Frequently Asked Questions: What Is a Title 24 Report and How Can You Get One?

What Is a Title 24 Report and How Can You Get One?

A Title 24 report is a project-specific energy analysis and compliance package prepared for a California permit project. You can get one by submitting the current plans and energy-related specifications to Alternative Energy Systems for review and calculation.

Who can request a Title 24 report?

Homeowners, contractors, architects, designers, developers, property managers, and business owners can request a report for a qualifying residential or commercial project.

Do I need completed plans before contacting AES?

No. AES can review preliminary documents and identify missing information. However, enough project detail must be available before the final calculations and forms can be completed accurately.

What should I send first?

Start with the current floor plans, elevations, sections, roof plans, window schedule, insulation information, HVAC specifications, water-heating details, and commercial lighting plans when applicable.

Can AES tell me whether my project needs a report?

AES can review the proposed scope and explain whether energy-compliance documentation is commonly associated with that type of work. The applicable building department makes final permit and submittal determinations.

How long does it take to get a Title 24 report?

Timing depends on the project type, complexity, plan quality, available specifications, and how quickly missing information is provided. Call (626) 365-1518 to discuss your schedule.

How much does a report cost?

Pricing depends on the size and complexity of the project, the available documents, the requested turnaround, and whether revisions or correction responses are needed. Call (626) 365-1518 for a project-specific quote.

Can a report be prepared for an ADU?

Yes. Detached ADUs, attached ADUs, and garage conversions commonly require energy documentation as part of the permit process.

Can AES prepare commercial Title 24 documentation?

Yes. AES assists with commercial tenant improvements, offices, retail spaces, restaurants, mixed-use buildings, lighting projects, mechanical alterations, and other nonresidential work.

Can the report be changed after it is completed?

Yes. The report may need to be revised when the plans, windows, insulation, roofing, HVAC systems, water heating, lighting, floor area, or other energy-related features change.

What happens if the building department issues corrections?

Send AES the complete correction notice and the latest plans. The documentation can then be reviewed to determine whether the report, calculations, or plan notes require revision.

Does the report guarantee permit approval?

No. The report supports the energy-compliance portion of the permit application, but the complete project remains subject to review by the applicable building department.

How do I order a Title 24 report?

Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518, describe the project, and submit the available plans. AES can review the scope, identify the required documents, and provide the next steps.