New buildings in California must comply with the full Energy Code in effect on their permit application date. For applications on or after January 1, 2026, that is the 2025 Energy Code, which uses heat-pump space and water heating as the residential baseline and includes solar PV requirements.
Projects we cover
What’s included
- Full compliance model
- Heat-pump vs gas trade-off analysis
- PV and battery sizing check
- Ventilation (indoor air quality) review
- Field verification list
Is energy compliance required for all new buildings?
Yes, conditioned new buildings require energy compliance documentation at permit application.
Which compliance forms are used?
CF1R for single-family, LMCC for low-rise multifamily, NRCC for nonresidential.
What documents do I need?
- Complete architectural set
- Window schedule
- Mechanical/plumbing design intent
- Site plan with orientation
Missing something? Order anyway — we’ll flag gaps and, where appropriate, use code-minimum assumptions with your approval.
How we prepare your report
- 01Plan & data intake
We review your plans for completeness — floor plans, elevations, sections, window schedule and mechanical notes — and flag anything missing before modeling starts.
- 02Climate zone & scope confirmation
We confirm the project’s climate zone from the site address using the CEC lookup, and the compliance scope (new construction, addition, alteration).
- 03Energy modeling
The building is modeled in CEC-approved compliance software, choosing the performance or prescriptive path that best fits your design.
- 04Technical review
Inputs are checked against the plans: areas, orientations, assemblies, fenestration, HVAC and water heating, PV and battery requirements.
- 05Delivery & revisions
You receive the signed compliance documents as PDF, ready to print onto the plan set, with included revisions for plan-check comments.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still use a gas furnace or water heater?
The 2025 code doesn’t ban gas outright, but heat pumps are the baseline, so gas designs must make up the difference elsewhere. The model shows whether that is practical for your design.