How Do You Get Started With a Title 24 Report?

Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems

Beginning the energy-compliance process at the right stage can help prevent missing specifications and conflicting plan information from becoming last-minute permit problems. The question how do you get started with a Title 24 report has a straightforward answer: define the proposed work, contact an experienced energy consultant, submit the current plans, and provide the available building-system information.

Alternative Energy Systems reviews residential, multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial projects throughout California. AES can examine the available drawings, identify which energy details are missing, prepare the applicable calculations, and produce compliance forms that can be coordinated with the permit set.

You do not need to know every technical requirement before making the first call. You should, however, be prepared to explain the project clearly and provide the most current version of the plans.

Call (626) 365-1518 to describe the work, ask which documents are needed, request a project-specific quote, and discuss the anticipated schedule.

How Do You Get Started With a Title 24 Report Through AES?

The first step is to contact Alternative Energy Systems before the planned permit-submittal date. Explain what is being built, added, converted, remodeled, replaced, or altered.

AES will need to understand whether the project involves:

New residential construction
New commercial construction
An attached or detached ADU
A garage conversion
A room or second-story addition
A residential remodel
A multifamily improvement
A commercial tenant improvement
An HVAC replacement
A lighting or lighting-control project
A response to plan-check corrections
A revision to an existing Title 24 report

After the scope is introduced, AES can explain which plans, schedules, specifications, and supporting documents should be submitted.

The report is based on the actual project design. A property address, building type, and estimated square footage may help introduce the project, but those details alone are not enough to complete the energy analysis.

Step 1: Describe the Proposed Project

A clear project description gives AES the context needed to review the plans correctly.

Provide the following basic information:

Project address
Permit jurisdiction
Residential or commercial property type
New construction, addition, conversion, or alteration
Approximate project size
Current design stage
Requested completion schedule
Primary project contact
Whether a previous energy report exists
Whether the building department has issued corrections

Avoid relying on a broad description such as “remodel” when the plans include significant energy-related changes.

A more useful description would explain that the project includes a 500-square-foot addition, new windows, altered exterior walls, a replacement HVAC system, and a new water heater.

For commercial work, explain whether the project changes the tenant layout, building envelope, mechanical system, ventilation, lighting fixtures, controls, or service water heating.

Identify the Current Project Stage

Tell AES whether the plans are:

Conceptual
Under design
Nearly permit-ready
Already submitted to the building department
Being revised after plan check
Under construction with design changes

This information helps AES understand whether the project needs preliminary guidance, a new report, an updated report, or assistance with corrections.

Step 2: Contact Alternative Energy Systems

Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518 to introduce the project and discuss the next step.

You may also begin through the contact page or send an introductory message to info@title24energy.com.

The initial communication should include:

Your name and contact information
The project address
A brief description of the work
The current design stage
The permit jurisdiction
Your requested schedule
A list of the documents currently available

Contact AES before sending unusually large files so the preferred transfer method can be confirmed.

Do not assume that an in-person visit is required. Project documents can generally be reviewed electronically after the submission process has been arranged.

Step 3: Submit the Current Architectural Plans

The current architectural plan set is usually the foundation of the report.

Submit one clearly identified PDF plan set whenever possible. A complete file is generally easier to review than numerous individual plan-sheet attachments.

The plan set may include:

Cover sheet and project data
Site plan
Existing floor plans
Proposed floor plans
Exterior elevations
Building sections
Roof plan
Wall, roof, ceiling, and floor details
Window and exterior-door schedules
Mechanical plans
Electrical and lighting plans
Relevant construction notes

Make sure the file is readable and represents the current design. Low-resolution photographs of printed plans may not provide enough detail for an accurate review.

Before submitting documents, review what AES will need from you.

Clearly Identify the Latest Plan Version

Include the plan date or revision date in the filename or submission message.

A useful filename could be:

123-Main-Street-Current-Plans-2026-08-04.pdf

Avoid filenames such as:

Final-Plans.pdf
Final-Plans-2.pdf
New-Plans.pdf
Attachment.pdf

If more than one version is submitted, state which file AES should use.

Explain Existing and Proposed Construction

Additions, remodels, ADUs, and conversions should clearly distinguish:

Existing conditioned space
Existing unconditioned space
New conditioned space
Altered walls and openings
New windows and doors
Existing systems that will remain
New or replaced equipment

The consultant should not have to guess which portions of the drawings represent the current building and which portions represent the proposed work.

Step 4: Provide Window and Door Information

Windows and glazed doors can have a significant effect on the energy analysis.

Provide a schedule or specifications showing the available information for:

Window identification numbers
Width and height
Quantity
Operation type
Plan location or orientation
U-factor
Solar heat gain coefficient
Frame type when relevant
Glazing information
Glazed exterior doors

The window schedule should agree with the floor plans and exterior elevations.

If the exact products have not been selected, tell AES that the specifications remain preliminary. The consultant can identify which performance values must be established before the report is finalized.

Review the Window Schedule Before Submission

Check for common inconsistencies, including:

Different window sizes on separate sheets
Windows shown on elevations but missing from the schedule
Different window identification numbers
Missing performance values
Windows changed after the schedule was prepared

Correcting these issues before the analysis begins can reduce the need for revisions later.

Step 5: Provide Insulation and Envelope Details

The plans should identify how the proposed building envelope will be constructed.

Provide applicable information for:

Exterior walls
Roofs
Ceilings
Attics
Vaulted or cathedral ceilings
Floors over unconditioned space
Raised floors
Walls between conditioned and unconditioned areas
Other special envelope conditions

The documents should identify the proposed insulation value and where it will be installed.

A general note stating “insulate per code” may not provide enough project-specific information to complete the analysis.

Clarify the Wall Assemblies

Helpful wall information may include:

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

Clarify the Roof and Ceiling Assemblies

The plans should show whether insulation is installed:

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

Roofing characteristics and cool-roof information may also be needed when applicable.

Step 6: Provide HVAC, Duct, and Ventilation Information

Heating, cooling, air distribution, and ventilation details may affect the calculations and compliance forms.

Provide the available HVAC information, including:

Heating-system type
Cooling-system type
Manufacturer and model when selected
Heating efficiency
Cooling efficiency
Heat-pump information
Equipment capacity when available
Equipment location
Ducted or ductless configuration
New, existing, or replacement system

If the equipment has not been selected, state that clearly. AES can explain which performance details are needed before completion.

Provide Duct Information

For a ducted system, identify:

Duct location
Whether ducts are inside conditioned space
Duct insulation
New or existing ductwork
Whether existing ducts will be extended
Which portions of the building each system serves

Duct location can influence the analysis and potential field-verification requirements.

Provide Ventilation Information

Ventilation details may include:

Whole-building ventilation
Local exhaust
Outdoor-air systems
Ventilation-equipment specifications
Proposed airflow
Controls or operating schedules

The information required will depend on the residential or commercial project scope.

Step 7: Provide Water-Heating Information

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

Provide:

Water-heater type
Fuel or energy source
Manufacturer and model when selected
Efficiency information
Storage, tankless, or heat-pump configuration
Equipment location
New, existing, or replacement status
Distribution information when relevant

For multifamily and commercial work, explain whether the system serves an individual unit, a tenant space, several units, or the entire building.

Step 8: Provide Commercial Lighting Information When Applicable

Commercial projects may require lighting-power and lighting-control information.

Provide applicable documents for:

Lighting floor plans
Fixture schedules
Fixture identification numbers
Fixture wattage
Fixture quantity
Room or space use
Occupancy sensors
Automatic shutoff controls
Daylighting controls
Exterior lighting
Control notes and diagrams

A reflected ceiling plan without fixture wattage or control information may not contain everything needed to complete the applicable analysis.

The lighting plans, fixture schedule, and control notes should describe the same design.

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

Step 9: Submit Previous Reports and Correction Notices

If a Title 24 report was previously prepared, submit it with the current plans.

Also provide:

The plan set used for the previous report
The current revised plans
A written summary of design changes
Updated window and insulation information
Current HVAC specifications
Updated water-heating information
Revised commercial lighting documents when applicable

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

Changes to conditioned floor area, windows, insulation, roofing, HVAC equipment, ducts, ventilation, water heating, lighting, or project scope may require updated calculations or forms.

Submit the Complete Plan-Check Notice

When the building department has issued corrections, send the complete notice rather than copying only one comment into an email.

The correction package should include:

The complete building-department correction notice
The latest architectural plan set
Current mechanical and electrical plans
The previously submitted Title 24 report
Updated product and equipment specifications
A written summary of revisions already made

TheUpdated product and equipment specifications

Step 10: Allow AES to Review the Submission

After receiving the project information, AES reviews the documents to determine whether enough detail is available to begin or complete the energy analysis.

The review may identify:

Missing plan sheets
Conflicting floor areas
Incomplete window specifications
Unclear insulation assemblies
Undecided HVAC equipment
Missing duct-location information
Incomplete ventilation details
Missing water-heating specifications
Incomplete commercial lighting information
Differences between revised plans and a previous report

Not every missing item prevents the review from starting. However, certain information may need to be resolved before the final calculations and forms can be completed.

Respond to document requests with updated plans or specifications rather than informal estimates whenever possible.

Receive the Project Quote

The project scope, building type, size, complexity, plan quality, requested schedule, and revision needs can affect pricing.

A meaningful quote generally requires more information than a short verbal description.

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

Confirm the Schedule

Turnaround depends on the project and the completeness of the submitted information.

Factors that can affect timing include:

Project size and complexity
Incomplete plans
Missing product data
Conflicting plan information
Design changes made during the analysis
Commercial lighting revisions
Existing correction comments
How quickly requested information is supplied

Do not assume a completion date until AES has reviewed the project and confirmed the schedule.

Step 11: Complete the Energy Analysis

Once the necessary project information is available, AES can complete the applicable energy analysis.

The review may address:

Conditioned floor area
Building orientation
Wall, roof, ceiling, and floor assemblies
Window area and performance
Exterior-door characteristics
Heating and cooling equipment
Duct location
Ventilation
Water heating
Residential lighting measures
Commercial lighting power and controls
Other applicable compliance measures

The completed analysis is used to prepare project-specific compliance forms.

A Title 24 report should reflect the current project rather than a generic building description or an outdated plan set.

Step 12: Coordinate the Report With the Plans

The energy report and construction drawings must describe the same project.

After the report is prepared, the project team should confirm that the plans reflect the energy measures used in the analysis.

Review the documents for consistency involving:

Conditioned floor area
Window sizes and performance values
Insulation levels
Roof characteristics
HVAC equipment
Duct location
Ventilation systems
Water-heating equipment
Commercial lighting fixtures
Lighting controls

A correct calculation based on an outdated design can still create a permitting problem when the forms do not match the current plans.

The architect, designer, contractor, or responsible project professional should incorporate the applicable energy measures into the permit set.

How Do You Get Started With a Title 24 Report for Residential Projects?

For a residential project, begin by sending AES the current architectural plans and available specifications for the building envelope, windows, HVAC system, ventilation, and water heating.

Residential projects may include:

New single-family homes
New multifamily buildings
Detached ADUs
Attached ADUs
Garage conversions
Room additions
Second-story additions
Major residential remodels
Window or envelope alterations
HVAC replacements

A useful residential starting package includes:

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

Getting Started With an ADU Report

For an ADU, submit:

ADU floor plan
Exterior elevations
Building sections
Roof plan
Window and door schedule
Insulation details
HVAC information
Ventilation specifications
Water-heating information

For an attached ADU or garage conversion, the plans should clearly distinguish existing construction from the new conditioned living area.

Visit the ADU Title 24 page for related information.

Getting Started With an Addition Report

Addition plans should show:

The existing residence
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

Explain whether the existing HVAC system will serve the addition or whether new equipment is proposed.

Getting Started With a Remodel Report

Identify the energy-related portions of the remodel, including:

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

How Do You Get Started With a Title 24 Report for Commercial Projects?

Commercial projects may require coordinated architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, lighting, and control documents.

Begin by providing:

Architectural plan set
Tenant-improvement scope
Building-envelope details
Mechanical plans
HVAC equipment schedules
Ventilation information
Service water-heating details
Electrical plans
Lighting fixture schedules
Lighting-control plans
Existing correction comments

Commercial projects may include:

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

Identify the design professional responsible for each discipline so questions can be directed to the correct person.

Can You Start Before the Plans Are Complete?

You can contact AES while the project is still under design.

Preliminary review may identify missing decisions before the plans are finalized. This can be useful when the project team is still evaluating:

Window products
Insulation assemblies
Roofing characteristics
HVAC equipment
Duct locations
Ventilation systems
Water-heating equipment
Commercial lighting fixtures
Lighting controls

The final report still requires enough information to represent the proposed design accurately.

Starting early does not mean unsupported assumptions should be used. It gives the project team time to identify and resolve the information needed for completion.

Common Problems That Can Delay the Start

The process may be delayed when AES cannot determine which plans or specifications represent the current project.

Common problems include:

No clear project description
Missing floor plans
Several unlabeled plan versions
Conflicting conditioned floor areas
Window schedules that do not match the elevations
Missing window performance values
No defined insulation assemblies
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
Correction comments without the current plans
Revised plans without a change summary

A clean and clearly labeled submission can reduce unnecessary back-and-forth before the analysis begins.

Why Choose Alternative Energy Systems?

Alternative Energy Systems provides experienced 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 forms with the current permit plans.

Learn more about the company on the About Us page or review its professional background on the clients page.

Start Your Title 24 Report With AES

Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems

Understanding how do you get started with a Title 24 report gives you a clear path forward. Begin by defining the project, contacting AES, and submitting one clearly identified current plan set with the available specifications.

Alternative Energy Systems can review the documents, identify missing information, provide a project-specific quote, prepare the applicable energy analysis, and assist when the plans require revision or the building department issues corrections.

Call (626) 365-1518 to:

Describe your residential or commercial project
Ask which documents should be submitted
Confirm the preferred document-transfer method
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 begin through the contact page.

Do not wait until the planned permit-submittal date to begin organizing the energy documentation. Instead of wondering How Do You Get Started With a Title 24 Report, simply call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518 and start the Title 24 report process with a professional review of your project.

Frequently Asked Questions: How Do You Get Started With a Title 24 Report?

How Do You Get Started With a Title 24 Report?

Start by contacting Alternative Energy Systems, describing the proposed work, and submitting the current plans with the available window, insulation, HVAC, ventilation, water-heating, and lighting information.

Who can request a Title 24 report?

A homeowner, contractor, architect, designer, developer, property manager, business owner, or authorized project representative can request a report.

What should I send first?

Send a project summary and the current architectural plans. Include supporting specifications and correction documents when available.

Do the plans need to be finished?

No. AES can review preliminary plans and identify missing information. Enough detail must be available before the final calculations and forms can be completed.

Can I submit the plans electronically?

Project documents can generally be reviewed electronically after the transfer method has been arranged with AES.

What should the project summary include?

Include the project address, jurisdiction, property type, proposed scope, design stage, requested schedule, primary contact, and whether a previous report or correction notice exists.

What window information is needed?

Provide window sizes, quantities, locations, U-factors, solar heat gain coefficients, and other available performance information.

What HVAC information should I provide?

Provide the system type, efficiency, equipment specifications, location, duct information, and ventilation details when available.

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.

What is needed for a commercial project?

Commercial projects may require architectural, mechanical, electrical, lighting, control, ventilation, and service water-heating documents.

Should I submit an old Title 24 report?

Yes. Also submit the plans used for the old report, the current plans, and a written summary of all design changes.

What should I send after receiving plan-check corrections?

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

How much does it cost to get started?

Pricing depends on the building type, project size, complexity, plan completeness, requested turnaround, and whether corrections or revisions are involved.

How long will the report take?

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

Does a Title 24 report guarantee permit approval?

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

How do I contact AES?

Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518, email info@title24energy.com, or use the contact page.