Quick answer: New HVAC equipment installed in Los Angeles must meet both a federal minimum efficiency standard (14.3 SEER2 for split-system air conditioners, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration) and California’s Title 24 energy code, which is stricter and increasingly favors heat pump equipment. All HVAC installations and replacements require a mechanical permit from LADBS. APLA Construction (CA Lic #1136359) designs every HVAC installation to meet current code, not just the federal minimum.
Homeowners planning HVAC replacement in Los Angeles are subject to two separate sets of requirements that stack on top of each other: a federal minimum efficiency standard set by the U.S. Department of Energy, and California’s own Title 24 energy code, which is generally stricter and updated on its own schedule. Understanding both prevents a common and expensive mistake — installing equipment that meets the national minimum but fails a California plan check.
Effective January 1, 2023, the Department of Energy updated how central air conditioners and heat pumps are tested and rated, replacing the old SEER metric with SEER2 to reflect real-world duct static pressure more accurately. Per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the current federal minimum for split-system air conditioners is 14.3 SEER2 in the southern region, which includes all of California. Equipment sold or installed below this minimum is not legally allowed — this is a floor, not a target.
Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations (the state’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards) is administered by the California Energy Commission and updated on a roughly three-year cycle. The current 2025 update took effect January 1, 2026, and continues California’s push toward electrification — for many building types and alteration scenarios, it now favors or requires heat pump equipment over gas furnaces and standard AC-only systems, particularly for end-of-life equipment replacement.
In practice, this means a system that technically meets the 14.3 SEER2 federal minimum can still fail a California plan check if it doesn’t meet Title 24’s additional requirements for the specific building type and scope of work. We design every installation against current Title 24 requirements, not just the federal SEER2 floor, to avoid a failed inspection mid-project.
Any new HVAC installation, replacement, or ductwork modification within the City of Los Angeles requires a mechanical permit from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), separate from any building, electrical, or plumbing permit the same project might need. The permit confirms the installation meets the California Mechanical Code, local LAMC amendments, and Title 24 energy standards together. Smaller, simpler HVAC projects may qualify for an express permit without a full plan check; larger or more complex systems require plan review before work begins.
| Scenario | What Applies |
| Like-for-like AC replacement, same capacity | Must meet 14.3 SEER2 minimum; Title 24 compliance form still required |
| New construction or ADU | Full Title 24 compliance, often favoring heat pump equipment |
| End-of-life commercial rooftop unit (certain building types) | 2025 code may require heat pump replacement, not just AC-only |
| Major remodel triggering mechanical scope | Full Title 24 review for the mechanical system as part of the remodel |
SEER2 is the current federal testing standard, effective since January 1, 2023, replacing the older SEER metric with a method that better reflects real-world ductwork resistance. The efficiency numbers aren’t directly interchangeable — a unit’s SEER2 rating is typically slightly lower than its equivalent SEER rating would have been under the old test.
No. This is the current federal minimum for split-system air conditioners in the southern region (which includes all of California), and equipment below it isn’t legally sold or installed as new.
It depends on the specific project type and scope. The 2025 Energy Code increasingly favors heat pump equipment, particularly for end-of-life replacements on certain commercial building types and for new construction, but requirements vary by scenario — we evaluate your specific project against current code.
Yes. LADBS requires a mechanical permit for HVAC replacement even when it’s the same type and capacity as the existing system, to confirm current code compliance.
The California Energy Commission updates Title 24’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards on a roughly three-year cycle. The most recent update took effect January 1, 2026. We stay current on each cycle so projects are designed to the code in effect at time of permit.
APLA Construction (CA Lic #1136359) designs every HVAC installation across Greater Los Angeles to meet current SEER2 and Title 24 requirements, and handles all required LADBS permitting.
Call: (818) 818-4419
Email: info@aplaconstruction.com
CA General Contractor License #1136359
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration · California Energy Commission, Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards · Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.