What Information Is Needed to Start a Title 24 Report?

Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems

Starting a California energy-compliance report is easier when the project team provides clear plans, a defined scope of work, and the available building-system specifications. What Information Is Needed to Start a Title 24 Report is an important question for homeowners, contractors, architects, designers, developers, property managers, and business owners preparing residential or commercial permit documents.

The starting information typically includes the current floor plans, exterior elevations, building sections, roof details, window and door schedules, insulation notes, HVAC specifications, ventilation information, water-heating details, and commercial lighting documents when applicable. If the project has already been reviewed by a building department, the complete correction notice should also be submitted.

Not every detail must be finalized before Alternative Energy Systems is contacted. AES can review the documents already available, identify what is missing, and explain which items must be resolved before the calculations and compliance forms can be completed.

Alternative Energy Systems has more than 30 years of California energy-compliance experience with residential, multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial permit projects. Call (626) 365-1518 to describe your project, request a quote, or ask which files should be submitted first.

What Information Is Needed to Start a Title 24 Report With AES?

The report process begins with enough information to understand the building, the proposed work, and the energy-related systems affected by the project.

AES generally needs information in four main categories:

A clear description of the project scope
The latest architectural plans
Available product and equipment specifications
Any existing permit-review or correction documents

The exact requirements depend on whether the project involves a new home, ADU, garage conversion, room addition, residential remodel, multifamily improvement, commercial tenant improvement, mechanical alteration, lighting project, or new nonresidential building.

A small alteration will not require the same documentation as a custom home or commercial build-out. The first review helps determine which information is relevant to the actual scope.

Start With a Clear Project Description

Before reviewing technical details, AES needs a concise explanation of what the project involves.

The description should identify whether the work includes:

New residential construction
New commercial construction
An attached or detached ADU
A garage conversion
A room addition
A second-story addition
A residential remodel
A multifamily improvement
A commercial tenant improvement
An HVAC replacement
A lighting alteration
A window, roofing, or insulation project
A response to plan-check corrections
A revision to an existing report

The description should also explain whether the plans are preliminary, permit-ready, already submitted, or currently being revised.

This context allows AES to understand what stage the project has reached and what type of review may be required.

Basic Project Details to Provide

Helpful introductory information includes:

Project address
Permit jurisdiction
Property type
Residential or commercial use
New construction, addition, or alteration
Approximate project size
Current design stage
Requested completion schedule
Primary project contact
Whether a previous Title 24 report exists

The address and jurisdiction help identify the project, but they are not enough by themselves to prepare the report. The analysis must be based on the proposed construction documents and applicable energy features.

Which Architectural Plans Are Needed?

Architectural plans provide the foundation for the energy-compliance review. They show the building layout, size, orientation, envelope, windows, doors, roof, and relationship between existing and proposed construction.

The initial plan set may include:

Cover sheet
Site plan
Existing floor plans
Proposed floor plans
Exterior elevations
Building sections
Roof plan
Wall and roof details
Door and window schedules
General construction notes

The consultant may not need every sheet for every project, but submitting the complete current plan set helps prevent relevant information from being overlooked.

Floor Plans

Floor plans should clearly show:

Room layouts
Building dimensions
Conditioned and unconditioned areas
Existing and proposed construction
Doors and windows
Ceiling conditions when relevant
Mechanical-equipment locations when shown

For an addition, remodel, or conversion, the plans should distinguish what currently exists from what will be built or altered.

Unclear scope boundaries can make it difficult to determine which portions of the building belong in the analysis.

Exterior Elevations

Exterior elevations help confirm:

Window and door locations
Building height
Wall configuration
Roof shape
Exterior construction conditions

Window locations shown on the elevations should agree with the floor plans and window schedule.

Building Sections

Sections can show how walls, roofs, ceilings, floors, attics, crawlspaces, and conditioned areas are assembled.

They are particularly helpful when the project includes:

Vaulted ceilings
Attic spaces
Raised floors
Flat roofs
Multiple ceiling heights
Mixed existing and new construction

Roof Plans and Details

Roof information may be needed to identify:

Roof configuration
Attic or non-attic construction
Roofing material
Roof insulation location
Cool-roof characteristics when applicable
Solar-related plan information when applicable

What Window and Door Information Is Needed?

Windows and glazed doors can significantly affect residential and commercial energy analysis. The report should be based on clear sizes, locations, quantities, and performance information.

Helpful window and door information includes:

Window identification numbers
Width and height
Quantity
Operation type
Orientation or plan location
U-factor
Solar heat gain coefficient
Frame type when relevant
Glazing information
Exterior-door type and glazing

A complete window schedule is usually more reliable than scattered notes on several plan sheets.

If the exact manufacturer has not been selected, provide the proposed performance values or explain that the windows remain undecided. AES can identify which values will be needed before the report is finalized.

Why Window Schedules Must Match the Plans

The window schedule, elevations, and floor plans should describe the same openings.

Common inconsistencies include:

Different window sizes on separate sheets
Windows shown on elevations but missing from the schedule
Different identification numbers
Missing performance ratings
Changed windows not reflected in the latest report

Resolving these differences before the analysis is completed helps reduce later revisions.

What Insulation Information Is Needed?

The plans should identify the proposed thermal characteristics of the building envelope.

Insulation information may be needed for:

Exterior walls
Roofs
Ceilings
Attic assemblies
Floors over unconditioned spaces
Raised floors
Slab-edge conditions when applicable
Walls separating conditioned and unconditioned areas

The documentation should identify the proposed insulation value and where the material will be installed.

A general statement such as “insulate per code” may not provide enough information for a project-specific analysis. The consultant may need the actual assembly and proposed performance.

Wall-Assembly Information

Wall details may include:

Stud size
Stud spacing
Cavity insulation
Continuous insulation
Existing or proposed construction
Special wall conditions

Roof and Ceiling Information

The plans should clarify whether insulation is installed:

At the ceiling plane
Along the roof deck
Within a cathedral ceiling
Within another roof assembly

The insulation location can affect how the roof or attic is represented in the analysis.

What HVAC Information Is Needed to Start a Title 24 Report?

Heating and cooling information is an important part of many residential and commercial reports.

Provide the available details for:

Heating-system type
Cooling-system type
Equipment manufacturer and model when selected
Heating efficiency
Cooling efficiency
Heat-pump information
System capacity when available
Equipment location
Ducted or ductless design
Thermostat or control information when relevant

If the equipment has not been selected, state that clearly. AES can explain which minimum performance information must be established before the report is completed.

Duct Information

For ducted systems, helpful information includes:

Duct location
Whether ducts are inside or outside conditioned space
Duct insulation
New or existing ductwork
Whether the system is being replaced or extended

Duct location can influence the analysis and potential verification measures, so it should not be left unclear.

Ventilation Information

Residential and commercial projects may require information about mechanical ventilation.

Submit available details regarding:

Whole-building ventilation
Local exhaust
Outdoor-air systems
Ventilation equipment
Proposed airflow when available
Controls or operating strategy

The exact ventilation information depends on the project type and scope.

What Water-Heating Information Is Needed?

The energy report may need information about the proposed domestic or service water-heating system.

Helpful details include:

Water-heater type
Fuel or energy source
Manufacturer and model when selected
Efficiency rating
Storage or tankless configuration
Heat-pump water-heater information
Equipment location
Distribution details when relevant
Whether the system is new, existing, or replaced

For multifamily and commercial projects, the consultant may also need to understand whether the system is central, individual, or connected to a larger building design.

What Information Is Needed for a Residential Title 24 Report?

A residential report may require information about the building envelope, windows, HVAC system, ventilation, water heating, and applicable lighting measures.

A useful residential starting package may include:

Complete architectural plan set
Existing and proposed floor plans
Exterior elevations
Building sections
Roof plan
Window and door schedule
Insulation notes
HVAC specifications
Duct-location information
Ventilation details
Water-heating information
Project address and jurisdiction
Requested schedule

Residential features interact within the energy analysis. Window area, insulation, roof characteristics, equipment efficiency, duct location, and water heating should therefore be reviewed as parts of one coordinated design.

What Information Is Needed for an ADU?

For an attached or detached ADU, submit:

ADU floor plan
Exterior elevations
Building sections
Roof plan and roof details
Window and exterior-door schedule
Insulation information
Heating and cooling specifications
Ventilation information
Water-heating specifications
Existing-building plans when the ADU is attached

A garage conversion should clearly identify the existing garage conditions and the proposed work required to create conditioned living space.

Visit the ADU Title 24 page for additional project information.

What Information Is Needed for an Addition?

Addition plans should identify:

The existing house
The new conditioned floor area
Removed or altered walls
New exterior walls
New windows and doors
Roof and ceiling assemblies
HVAC extensions or new equipment
Water-heating changes when applicable

The boundary between existing and proposed work must be clear so the report evaluates the correct scope.

What Information Is Needed for a Remodel?

For a remodel, explain which energy-related features are changing.

That may include:

Replacement windows
Altered exterior walls
New insulation
Roofing work
HVAC replacement
Ventilation changes
Water-heating replacement
Expanded conditioned space

A remodel description that lists only interior cosmetic work may not reveal energy-related alterations shown elsewhere in the plans. Submit the complete scope rather than a shortened summary.

What Information Is Needed for a Commercial Title 24 Report?

Commercial and nonresidential projects may require architectural, mechanical, electrical, lighting, and control information.

A commercial starting package may include:

Architectural plan set
Existing and proposed floor plans
Exterior elevations and sections when applicable
Building-envelope details
Mechanical plans
HVAC equipment schedules
Ventilation information
Plumbing or service water-heating information
Electrical plans
Lighting fixture schedules
Lighting-control plans
Tenant-improvement scope
Existing plan-check comments

Commercial documentation often requires coordination among several design professionals. The architectural, mechanical, and electrical plans should describe the same proposed scope.

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

Commercial Lighting Information

When the scope includes commercial lighting, provide:

Lighting floor plans
Fixture schedule
Fixture wattage
Fixture quantity
Space use or room type
Lighting-control notes
Occupancy-sensor information
Daylighting controls when applicable
Exterior lighting information when included

A fixture layout without a schedule or control information may not be enough to complete the applicable analysis.

Commercial Mechanical Information

Commercial HVAC documentation may include:

Mechanical floor plans
Equipment schedules
Heating and cooling efficiencies
Ventilation rates
Outdoor-air information
System controls
Service water-heating details

What If the Plans Are Not Finished?

You can contact AES before every project detail is finalized. Preliminary review may help identify missing information before the permit set is completed.

However, the final report requires enough detail to represent the proposed design accurately.

Items that commonly remain unresolved include:

Final window specifications
Wall and roof insulation
HVAC equipment
Duct location
Ventilation systems
Water-heating equipment
Commercial lighting fixtures
Lighting controls

AES can review the current documents and provide a focused request for the remaining information.

Starting early can be beneficial because it gives the architect, designer, contractor, and owner time to coordinate energy-related decisions before the plans are treated as final.

What If Product Selections Have Not Been Made?

Product selections do not always need to be finalized before the initial review. However, the report must ultimately use defined performance information.

When a product has not been selected, provide:

The proposed product type
Any expected performance level
Whether the selection is still under review
Who will provide the final specification
When the information is expected

AES can identify which performance values are needed before completion.

Do not assume that any code-compliant product can be substituted later without review. Changes to windows, insulation, roofing, equipment, water heating, or lighting may affect the calculations.

What Information Is Needed When a Previous Report Exists?

If another report has already been prepared, submit it with the current plans.

AES may need:

The previous report
The plans used for the previous analysis
The latest revised plans
A written summary of design changes
Updated product specifications
Existing correction comments

The old report should not automatically be assumed valid for a revised project.

Changes to floor area, windows, insulation, roofing, HVAC equipment, ventilation, water heating, commercial lighting, or the overall scope may require an updated analysis.

What Information Is Needed for Plan-Check Corrections?

When a building department has issued correction comments, send the complete notice rather than only the energy-related sentence.

The correction package should include:

The complete building-department correction notice
The latest architectural plan set
Current mechanical and electrical plans
The report previously submitted
Updated product and equipment specifications
A summary of revisions made after the previous submittal

The complete notice provides context and helps AES determine whether the issue affects only the report or also requires changes to the plans.

Call (626) 365-1518 if your project has already received energy-related correction comments.

How Should the Information Be Submitted?

Project documents can generally be submitted electronically.

A clear submission may include:

One current PDF plan set
Separate product specification sheets when needed
A written project summary
A list of unresolved selections
The requested turnaround date
The complete correction notice when applicable

Use clear filenames so the consultant can identify each document.

Avoid submitting several plan sets without explaining which version is current. If revisions are included, identify the latest file and summarize what changed.

Recommended File Organization

A practical submission can be organized as follows:

Current Plans
Window and Door Specifications
HVAC Specifications
Water-Heating Information
Commercial Lighting Documents
Correction Comments
Previous Report
Project Summary

Clear organization can reduce time spent determining which documents belong to the current project.

Common Information That Delays a Title 24 Report

The report may be delayed when essential project details are missing or inconsistent.

Common issues include:

No clear description of the proposed work
Missing floor plans
Conflicting square footage
Window schedules that do not match the elevations
No window performance information
Missing insulation values
Unclear roof construction
Undecided HVAC equipment
No duct-location information
Missing ventilation details
No water-heating specifications
Incomplete commercial lighting schedules
Missing lighting-control information
Outdated plans
Correction comments submitted without the complete notice

Providing these items early can help the project move more efficiently.

Can AES Start With Partial Information?

AES can review partial project information and identify what is still needed. This can be useful during design when the architect, contractor, or owner has not finalized every selection.

The initial review may help determine:

Whether the project information is sufficient to begin
Which specifications remain missing
Which plan sheets need clarification
Whether the scope has been defined clearly
Which decisions may affect the analysis

Partial information may allow the review to start, but it may not allow the final report to be completed.

For a more detailed preparation guide, visit what AES will need from you.

How Long Does the Report Take After the Information Is Submitted?

Turnaround depends on the project type, size, complexity, quality of the plans, and completeness of the submitted information.

A coordinated project can generally move more efficiently than one requiring repeated clarification.

Timing may be affected by:

Missing window data
Incomplete insulation notes
Undecided equipment
Conflicting plan information
Commercial lighting revisions
Changes made during the analysis
Existing correction comments
How quickly requested details are provided

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

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

Pricing depends on the project scope and the amount of analysis and coordination required.

Cost may be influenced by:

Residential or commercial use
New construction, addition, or alteration
Building size
Design complexity
Plan completeness
Number of systems involved
Requested turnaround
Existing correction comments
Whether a previous report must be revised

Submit the current plans and project description to receive a meaningful quote.

Review Title 24 report pricing in California or call (626) 365-1518.

Why Choose Alternative Energy Systems?

Alternative Energy Systems provides professional energy-compliance support for homeowners, contractors, architects, designers, developers, property managers, and commercial clients throughout California.

AES brings more than 30 years of experience to:

New residential construction
New commercial construction
ADUs and garage conversions
Additions and remodels
Multifamily improvements
Commercial tenant improvements
HVAC and lighting projects
Plan-check corrections
Revisions to existing reports

AES reviews the actual project information, identifies missing details, prepares the applicable analysis, and helps coordinate the resulting compliance forms with the current plans.

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

Submit Your Project Information to AES

Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems

Understanding What Information Is Needed to Start a Title 24 Report can help you organize the project before energy documentation becomes a last-minute permit issue.

Alternative Energy Systems can review the available plans, identify missing specifications, explain which documents are required, prepare the applicable calculations, and assist when the project needs revisions or correction responses.

Call (626) 365-1518 to:

Describe your residential or commercial project
Ask which plan sheets should be submitted
Find out which specifications are still needed
Request a project-specific quote
Discuss the anticipated turnaround
Request help with plan-check corrections
Update an existing report after design changes

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

Do not wait until the permit-submittal date to organize essential energy information. Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518 and submit your project for professional review.

Frequently Asked Questions: What Information Is Needed to Start a Title 24 Report?

What Information Is Needed to Start a Title 24 Report?

Start with a description of the proposed work, the current architectural plans, window and insulation information, HVAC specifications, ventilation details, water-heating information, and commercial lighting documents when applicable.

Do the plans need to be complete?

No. AES can review preliminary plans and identify missing information. The final report, however, requires enough detail to represent the proposed design accurately.

What architectural sheets should I submit?

Helpful sheets include floor plans, exterior elevations, building sections, roof plans, wall details, window schedules, and construction notes.

Do I need window specifications?

The report may require window sizes, quantities, locations, U-factors, solar heat gain coefficients, and other applicable performance details.

What insulation information is needed?

Provide proposed insulation values and assembly details for applicable walls, roofs, ceilings, floors, attics, and other boundaries between conditioned and unconditioned space.

What HVAC information should I provide?

Submit the proposed system type, efficiency, manufacturer and model when selected, duct information, equipment location, and ventilation details.

Is water-heating information required?

Many reports require the water-heater type, energy source, efficiency, configuration, and model information when selected.

What is needed for a commercial project?

Commercial projects may require architectural plans, mechanical plans, equipment schedules, ventilation information, electrical plans, lighting schedules, lighting-control details, and service water-heating information.

What should I submit for an ADU?

Submit the ADU plans, elevations, sections, roof details, window schedule, insulation notes, HVAC information, ventilation details, and water-heating specifications.

Can AES start if products have not been selected?

AES can review the project and identify which performance information will be needed, but the final analysis may require defined product or equipment specifications.

Should I send a previous Title 24 report?

Yes. Submit the previous report, the plans used to prepare it, the current plans, and a summary of everything that changed.

What is needed for plan-check corrections?

Send the complete correction notice, latest plans, previous report, updated specifications, and a summary of revisions made after the last submittal.

How should the documents be sent?

Submit a clearly labeled current PDF plan set with separate specification sheets and correction documents when applicable. Identify which files are current.

How long will the report take?

Timing depends on project complexity and the completeness of the submitted information. Call (626) 365-1518 to discuss your schedule.

How do I get started?

Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518, describe the project, and submit the available plans. AES can review the information and explain what is still needed.