What Does a Title 24 Report Look Like?

Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems

If you have never seen California energy-compliance documentation before, you may be wondering What Does a Title 24 Report Look Like and what you should expect when one is prepared for your project.

A Title 24 report generally looks like a technical compliance package rather than an architectural drawing set. It may contain several pages of project information, calculations, building characteristics, equipment information, compliance measures, and forms that correspond to the construction plans.

Depending on the project, you may see information covering:

Project address and identification
Project type and scope
Conditioned floor area
Wall, ceiling, roof, and floor insulation
Windows and glazed exterior doors
Roof characteristics
Heating and cooling systems
Duct locations
Ventilation
Water-heating equipment
Residential lighting measures
Commercial lighting power and controls
Energy calculations
Compliance forms
Applicable verification measures

The exact number of pages and sections varies.

A new home, detached ADU, residential addition, garage conversion, office tenant improvement, restaurant build-out, HVAC project, and commercial lighting alteration should not be expected to produce identical reports.

Alternative Energy Systems prepares project-specific energy documentation based on the actual plans and proposed building systems. AES brings more than 30 years of California energy-compliance experience to residential, multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial permit projects.

Call (626) 365-1518 if you need a Title 24 report prepared for your project or have an existing report you need help understanding.

What Does a Title 24 Report Look Like at First Glance?

At first glance, a Title 24 report usually resembles a technical packet of forms and calculations.

It is not typically a glossy inspection report or a set of architectural drawings.

Instead, expect pages containing combinations of:

Project-identification fields
Tables
Energy values
Building-component descriptions
Equipment information
Compliance measures
Technical notes
Form fields related to the applicable project

Some portions may be easy for a homeowner to understand immediately.

Other portions may contain technical abbreviations, equipment data, efficiency values, window-performance information, or calculation results intended primarily for the consultant, designer, contractor, or building department.

The most important point is that the report should represent the actual project shown in the permit drawings.

A Title 24 Report Is Usually More Than One Page

A Title 24 report should not necessarily be expected to look like one simple certificate.

Depending on the project, the compliance package may contain several forms or pages addressing different energy-related systems.

The package can include information about:

The building itself
The building envelope
Mechanical equipment
Water heating
Lighting
Controls
Other applicable compliance features

A relatively limited alteration may require fewer documents than a complete new building.

A complex project may contain considerably more technical information.

What Will the First Pages Usually Tell You?

One of the first things to look for is the basic project information.

Depending on the report and forms involved, you may see information identifying:

The project address
The building or project type
The proposed construction scope
Whether the project is residential or nonresidential
Conditioned floor area when applicable
Other project-specific characteristics used in the analysis

Before reading the technical details, make sure this basic information corresponds to the project.

A complete-looking report prepared for the wrong address or an outdated floor plan can create problems during permit review.

What Do the Compliance Forms Look Like?

Compliance forms are one of the most recognizable parts of a Title 24 report.

Rather than reading like a traditional written report, these pages can contain structured information organized into:

Fields
Tables
Building-component categories
Performance values
Equipment descriptions
Compliance measures
Project-specific requirements

The forms are generated according to the project design and applicable compliance approach.

They are intended to work with the permit drawings.

The forms should therefore not be treated as separate paperwork that can contradict the plans.

What Does the Building-Envelope Section Look Like?

A Title 24 report may contain technical information describing the portions of the building separating conditioned space from exterior or unconditioned areas.

This may include:

Exterior walls
Roofs
Ceilings
Floors
Attic assemblies
Floors above garages or unconditioned areas
Other thermal-envelope components

The report may identify insulation values or characteristics associated with those assemblies.

The numbers should correspond to the construction represented in the architectural plans.

For example, a roof assembly shown in the energy documentation should not describe a substantially different insulation configuration from the roof details in the construction drawings.

What Does Insulation Information Look Like?

Insulation information may appear as values associated with different building assemblies.

You may see separate requirements for:

Exterior walls
Ceilings
Roofs
Attics
Floors
Other surfaces surrounding conditioned space

Do not assume one insulation value applies everywhere.

The report should be interpreted according to the particular assembly identified.

Contractors and designers should compare these requirements with the plan sections and construction details.

What Does Window Information Look Like?

Window information is often one of the easiest portions of a Title 24 report to compare with the project plans.

Depending on the analysis, the report may identify characteristics involving:

Window area
Window orientation
Window performance
U-factor
Solar heat gain coefficient
Glazed exterior doors

The exact presentation may vary.

The important step is to compare the report with:

Floor plans
Exterior elevations
Window schedules
Manufacturer information when available

If the plans show one window configuration and the report represents another, the project may need to be reviewed before permit submission.

What Does the HVAC Information Look Like?

Mechanical information can appear as system descriptions, equipment characteristics, efficiency information, or other project-specific mechanical data.

A report may identify:

Heating-system type
Cooling-system type
Equipment efficiency
Heat-pump information
Number of systems
System configuration
Other applicable mechanical characteristics

Compare this section with:

The mechanical plans
Equipment schedules
Manufacturer specifications
Other project notes

If the HVAC system changes after the energy report is prepared, the calculations or forms may require revision.

What Does Duct Information Look Like?

When the project uses ducted mechanical systems, the report may describe duct-related conditions.

Information may involve:

Whether the system is ducted
Where ducts are located
Applicable duct characteristics
Measures related to mechanical performance

Duct location can matter because ducts located in conditioned space may be represented differently from ducts running through an attic, crawlspace, garage, or another unconditioned area.

The report should remain consistent with the mechanical design.

What Does Ventilation Information Look Like?

Ventilation may appear as a separate requirement or as part of the mechanical information.

Depending on the project, the report may address:

Whole-building ventilation
Local exhaust
Outdoor-air requirements
Related mechanical information

The exact documentation depends on the building and project scope.

Ventilation information should correspond to the mechanical plans and equipment ultimately proposed for the project.

What Does Water-Heating Information Look Like?

Water heating can appear as another project system within the compliance documentation.

The report may identify:

Water-heating type
Energy source
Equipment efficiency
Storage or other configuration
Heat-pump water heating when applicable
Other project-specific characteristics

The energy documentation should match the system represented by the project plans and specifications.

What Do the Energy Calculations Look Like?

The calculation portion can be one of the more technical parts of the report.

Rather than simply stating that a project passes or fails, the calculations evaluate the energy-related characteristics represented by the design.

Depending on the selected compliance method, the analysis can consider relationships among features such as:

Building size
Orientation
Building envelope
Insulation
Window area
Window performance
Roof characteristics
HVAC efficiency
Duct conditions
Ventilation
Water heating
Other applicable energy systems

The calculation pages may be more useful to the energy consultant than to the homeowner.

For many owners and contractors, the more practical question is:

What building features and equipment does the calculation require the project to use?

For additional background, review Title 24 energy calculations.

Does Every Report Have a Simple Pass-or-Fail Page?

Do not assume every Title 24 report will have one identical page containing a large “PASS” or “FAIL” statement.

The appearance depends on:

The project type
The forms being used
The compliance approach
The systems included in the analysis

The important issue is whether the proposed design has been evaluated under the applicable compliance method and whether the resulting measures are correctly documented.

A consultant can explain the results if the technical calculation pages are difficult to interpret.

What Does a Performance-Based Report Look Like?

When a performance approach is used, the documentation may contain more detailed modeling information because multiple building characteristics work together in the analysis.

A project may rely on a combination of:

Envelope performance
Window characteristics
Mechanical efficiency
Roof characteristics
Water heating
Other modeled measures

One component can influence the requirements placed on another.

For example, a design with extensive glazing may require stronger performance elsewhere.

The appearance and level of detail can therefore differ from a more limited prescriptive project.

What Does a Prescriptive Compliance Package Look Like?

A prescriptive compliance package focuses on the applicable required characteristics of the regulated components rather than relying on broader building-performance tradeoffs.

Depending on the project, it may present requirements for specific components or systems.

A prescriptive project can still involve multiple forms.

Therefore, the absence of a long performance-modeling printout does not necessarily mean the project lacks Title 24 documentation.

What Does a Residential Title 24 Report Look Like?

A residential report may address a home, addition, ADU, garage conversion, remodel, or other residential permit scope.

Typical subject areas can include:

Conditioned floor area
Building orientation
Walls
Roof and ceiling assemblies
Floor assemblies
Windows
Exterior glazed doors
Heating and cooling systems
Ducts
Ventilation
Domestic water heating
Applicable lighting measures
Verification measures when applicable

The report may look technical, but every major value should ultimately relate back to something being proposed in the building.

What Does an ADU Title 24 Report Look Like?

An ADU report may look similar to other residential energy documentation but should be specific to the accessory dwelling unit being analyzed.

The report should correspond to whether the project is:

A new detached ADU
An attached ADU
A garage conversion
A conversion of another space

Information may include:

ADU floor area
Wall and roof assemblies
Windows
Insulation
HVAC equipment
Ventilation
Water heating

For conversions, it is particularly important that the energy documentation corresponds to the distinction between existing construction and newly conditioned space.

Review the ADU Title 24 page for more information.

What Does an Addition or Remodel Report Look Like?

Reports for additions and remodels may need to distinguish existing conditions from proposed work.

You may see information relating specifically to:

New conditioned floor area
New exterior walls
New or replacement windows
New insulation
Roof and ceiling changes
HVAC changes
Duct changes
Ventilation
Water-heating changes

One of the most important things to verify is that the report analyzes the same scope shown in the construction drawings.

What Does a Commercial Title 24 Report Look Like?

Commercial and nonresidential documentation can differ substantially from a residential report because additional systems may be involved.

Commercial documentation may address:

Building-envelope performance
Mechanical systems
Ventilation
Service water heating
Interior lighting power
Exterior lighting
Lighting controls

Commercial projects may include:

New buildings
Office tenant improvements
Retail build-outs
Restaurant improvements
Warehouse alterations
Mixed-use projects
Commercial HVAC changes
Lighting alterations

The report may therefore include information from architectural, mechanical, and electrical design documents.

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

What Does Commercial Lighting Information Look Like?

Commercial energy documentation may contain detailed lighting information.

Depending on the project, this can include:

Fixture information
Fixture wattage
Fixture quantities
Space classifications
Lighting power
Occupancy controls
Automatic shutoff controls
Daylighting controls
Exterior lighting

These details should coordinate with the electrical and lighting plans.

A fixture schedule that changes after the report is completed may require additional review.

What Do Verification Requirements Look Like in a Title 24 Report?

Some residential projects may include measures requiring separate field verification.

The report may identify requirements related to:

Duct systems
Airflow
Mechanical equipment
Other performance-sensitive features

A verification requirement appearing in the report does not mean the verification has already occurred.

The energy report identifies the requirement.

Applicable field testing or verification is completed separately by the appropriate professional.

The project team should determine:

What must be verified
When verification must occur
Who is responsible for arranging it
What documentation must eventually be completed

For related information, review Title 24 vs. CALGreen.

What Does a Title 24 Report Not Look Like?

Understanding what the document is not can make it easier to recognize its role.

A Title 24 report is not automatically:

A complete architectural plan set
A structural engineering package
A complete mechanical design
A building permit
A building-department approval letter
A field inspection report
Proof that required field verification has already occurred
A guarantee of permit approval

The report documents the energy-related characteristics of a proposed design.

It works alongside the construction drawings.

What Is the Difference Between a Title 24 Report and the Building Plans?

The construction plans communicate what will be built.

The Title 24 report evaluates energy-related features of that design.

The plans may show:

Walls
Roof assemblies
Windows
Doors
Mechanical equipment
Ductwork
Lighting
Controls

The energy report uses relevant information from those documents to complete the analysis and prepare the applicable compliance forms.

The two documents serve different purposes.

They must still remain coordinated.

How Can You Tell Whether the Report Matches the Plans?

You do not need to understand every technical calculation to perform a useful coordination check.

Compare:

Project address
Project scope
Conditioned floor area
Window quantity and size
Window performance
Wall insulation
Roof and ceiling insulation
HVAC equipment
Duct location
Ventilation
Water heating
Commercial lighting when applicable
Lighting controls when applicable

When the report describes one project and the drawings describe another, one or both documents may require revision.

What Does an Outdated Title 24 Report Look Like?

An outdated report may look completely professional.

The problem is not necessarily its appearance.

The problem is that it represents an older project design.

Warning signs can include:

Old conditioned floor area
Windows that no longer appear on the plans
Different window sizes
Old insulation assemblies
HVAC equipment that has been replaced in the design
A previous water-heating system
Old commercial lighting information

Always compare the report against the current plan set rather than relying solely on the report date or appearance.

What if the Report Looks Different From Another Title 24 Report?

That is not automatically a problem.

Different projects can use different forms and calculations.

Differences may result from:

Residential versus commercial construction
New construction versus alteration
ADU versus addition
Performance versus prescriptive compliance
Mechanical-only work
Lighting-only work
Different building systems
Different project complexity

Do not determine whether a report is complete simply by comparing its page count with another project.

The correct question is whether it contains the applicable documentation for the actual scope.

How Can You Tell if a Title 24 Report Is Complete?

Completeness depends on the project.

A useful review includes asking whether the report:

Identifies the correct project
Represents the current plans
Contains the applicable energy calculations
Contains the applicable compliance forms
Identifies the relevant energy measures
Reflects the proposed envelope
Reflects the proposed windows
Reflects the proposed mechanical systems
Reflects water heating
Addresses commercial lighting when applicable
Identifies applicable verification measures

A report should be evaluated according to the actual project rather than a generic checklist alone.

Can You See What Products Must Be Installed From the Report?

The report can identify performance characteristics and compliance measures associated with products and systems.

This can help the project team understand requirements related to:

Windows
Insulation
Roofing
HVAC equipment
Water heating
Lighting
Controls

However, the report should be read together with the construction plans and project specifications.

Do not order a substitute product simply because it appears similar.

If a major energy-related product changes, send the proposed specification to AES for review.

What Should a Homeowner Look for in the Report?

A homeowner does not need to understand every technical calculation.

Focus on:

Correct project address
Correct project scope
Windows represented in the analysis
Insulation requirements
HVAC equipment represented
Water-heating system represented
Potential verification requirements
Whether the report appears to match the current plans

If you are about to purchase windows, HVAC equipment, or water-heating equipment, confirm that the selected products are consistent with the energy documentation.

What Should a Contractor Look for?

Contractors should focus on measures affecting construction and installation.

That may include:

Insulation
Windows
Roof requirements
HVAC equipment
Duct conditions
Ventilation
Water heating
Lighting
Controls
Verification measures

The report should be considered together with the approved plans.

What Should an Architect or Designer Look for?

Architects and designers should focus on coordination.

Compare the report with:

Floor plans
Elevations
Building sections
Window schedules
Envelope details
Mechanical schedules
Lighting information

If the energy report requires a feature that is absent from or contradicted by the drawings, the documents should be coordinated before submission.

What Should You Do if Your Report Does Not Match Your Project?

Do not alter technical values manually and assume the report remains valid.

Send AES:

The existing Title 24 report
The current construction plans
Updated product specifications
A description of what changed

The report may need revision when the project changes:

Floor area
Windows
Insulation
Roofing
HVAC equipment
Ventilation
Water heating
Commercial lighting
Other analyzed features

AES can review whether the existing documentation remains applicable.

What if the Building Department Has Questions About the Report?

Send the complete correction notice along with the current project documents.

Helpful items include:

Complete building-department comments
Latest architectural plans
Previously submitted Title 24 report
Current mechanical plans
Current electrical or lighting plans
Updated product specifications
A written summary of design changes

AES can determine whether calculations, forms, specifications, or plan notes need to be updated.

Why Choose Alternative Energy Systems?

Alternative Energy Systems provides professional Title 24 energy calculations, report preparation, revision, and plan-check support throughout California.

AES brings more than 30 years of California energy-compliance experience to:

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

AES prepares reports around the actual project plans instead of relying on a generic building description.

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

Need a Title 24 Report Prepared or Reviewed?

Call (626) 365-1518 | Alternative Energy Systems

If you are asking What Does a Title 24 Report Look Like, expect project-specific technical documentation containing energy calculations, compliance measures, and applicable forms rather than a simple one-page certificate.

The exact appearance depends on the building and project scope.

Alternative Energy Systems can help if:

You need a new report prepared
You want an existing report explained
You need to compare a report with the plans
The design changed after the report was completed
You need revised calculations
The building department issued corrections

Call (626) 365-1518 or begin through the contact page.

When service and payment have already been arranged, payment can be completed through the AES payment page.

Frequently Asked Questions: What Does a Title 24 Report Look Like?

What Does a Title 24 Report Look Like?

A Title 24 report generally looks like a technical compliance package containing project information, calculations, compliance measures, and applicable forms. The exact format and number of pages depend on the project.

Is a Title 24 report one page?

Not necessarily. A project may involve several pages or forms addressing different energy-related building features and systems.

Does every Title 24 report look the same?

No. The documentation depends on whether the project is residential or nonresidential, the construction scope, building systems, and compliance method.

Does a Title 24 report include the project address?

Project-identification information should correspond to the project for which the documentation was prepared.

Does the report show insulation?

The report may identify insulation or thermal characteristics associated with applicable walls, roofs, ceilings, floors, or other envelope assemblies.

Does the report show window requirements?

It may include window area, orientation, U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient, glazed-door information, or other applicable glazing characteristics.

Does the report show HVAC equipment?

The documentation may identify mechanical-system type, efficiency, and other characteristics represented in the energy analysis.

Does the report show duct requirements?

When applicable, the report can include duct-related information and may identify measures associated with field verification.

Does the report show ventilation?

Ventilation requirements may be represented depending on the project and mechanical design.

Does the report show the water heater?

Water-heating information can be included as part of the energy documentation.

Does a commercial report show lighting?

Commercial documentation may include lighting power, fixture information, exterior lighting, and lighting-control requirements.

Does the report contain energy calculations?

Yes, the compliance package can include energy calculations supporting the selected compliance approach.

Does it have a pass-or-fail page?

The exact presentation varies. Do not assume every report uses one identical page or format to communicate compliance.

Does a Title 24 report include architectural plans?

No. The construction plans are separate documents, although the report must remain coordinated with them.

Does a Title 24 report look different for an ADU?

It can. The documentation should reflect the actual ADU configuration, project scope, and systems being analyzed.

Does a commercial report look different from a residential report?

Yes. Commercial projects may include additional information about mechanical systems, ventilation, service water heating, lighting power, and lighting controls.

What do verification requirements look like?

The report may identify specific measures requiring separate field verification or testing. The report itself does not mean that testing has already been completed.

How do I know whether the report is for my current plans?

Compare the address, scope, floor area, windows, insulation, HVAC, water heating, lighting, and other major features with the latest construction drawings.

What if my report looks different from someone else’s?

That can be normal. Different project types and compliance paths can produce different forms and calculation packages.

What if the report does not match the plans?

The documentation should be reviewed before permit submission or construction continues. AES can determine whether the report, plans, or both require updating.

Can AES explain an existing Title 24 report?

AES can review the available report and current project documents and determine what assistance is needed.

How do I request a new Title 24 report?

Call Alternative Energy Systems at (626) 365-1518 and provide the current plans and project information for review.