Last verified: October 9, 2026
If you file a permit application on or after January 1, 2026, California’s 2025 Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) will apply. In most Los Angeles homes, you still need a permit to replace a furnace, AC, or heat pump. Some projects require independent testing. You are not required to switch from gas to a heat pump when replacing equipment in an existing home.
Several different rules can affect your project, and confusing them can lead to wrong expectations. This guide explains each one and refers you to our California HVAC rebates guide for the latest incentive information, since those details change often. Code requirements can also change, so always check with your contractor or local building department before purchasing.
Key Takeaways:
Permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026, will be subject to the 2025 California Building Standards Code, including the 2025 Energy Code. The Energy Commission describes the update as expanding the use of heat pumps in newly constructed residential buildings, strengthening ventilation standards, and encouraging electric-ready construction.
Its provisions for replacing end-of-life HVAC systems with heat pumps are intended for commercial rooftop units, not single-family furnaces.
As a homeowner, you will need to pay close attention to permits, testing, and documentation. If a contractor suggests skipping these steps, you could face problems with unpermitted work, insurance issues, and trouble selling your home.
Is a gas furnace banned? Not in Los Angeles County. As of our last update, there is no California or South Coast AQMD rule that requires you to replace a gas furnace with a heat pump.
In June 2025, the South Coast AQMD board voted 7-5 against zero-emission furnace rules, so the current low-NOx requirement in Rule 1111 remains in effect. Regulators may review this again, so always check the latest status before making decisions.
| Layer | What it covers | Who enforces it |
|---|---|---|
| Building and energy code (Title 24) | Permits, duct leakage, refrigerant charge verification, controls, documentation | Your city's building department (LADBS inside the City of LA) |
| Mechanical and safety code | Venting, gas and electrical connections, clearances, condensate | Local building inspector |
| Refrigerant rules | A2L handling, R-454B and R-32, EPA 608 certification | EPA and CARB, through licensed technicians |
| Air district rules | NOx limits for gas furnaces sold and installed in the district | South Coast AQMD |
| Federal efficiency standards | Minimum SEER2 and HSPF2 for equipment sold | U.S. Department of Energy |
| Utility rebate rules | Efficiency tiers, AHRI matching, permit closure, deadlines | LADWP, SCE, SoCalGas, and others |
You need a permit to replace a furnace, central AC, or heat pump in Los Angeles. This is even if it is a like-for-like replacement. Most same-size, same-location residential replacements qualify for an Express permit through LADBS.
Other cities, such as Glendale, Burbank, and Santa Monica, have their own departments, and Ventura County properties use their city or county building department. If your property tax and water bills list the City of Los Angeles, LADBS is the right department.
Every permitted installation requires documentation, field verification, and inspection sign-off before the permit is closed. For replacements, see AC installation and heating installation.
Most small repairs, such as replacing a capacitor, contactor, or fan motor, do not need a permit. Permits are separate from rebate paperwork, but LADWP requires a final approved permit for HVAC rebates.
Independent field verification, often called HERS testing and labeled ECC (Energy Code Compliance) on 2025 paperwork, checks that the equipment was installed as specified.
This is required for certain projects, depending on the work, equipment, and climate zone. It isn’t required for every replacement.
A new or fully replaced duct system must have 5% leakage or less. If you alter or extend a system, it must have 10% total leakage or less, or 7% leakage to the outside. If you can’t meet these levels, the alternative is to seal every accessible leak and pass a visual and smoke test.
Older ducts in the Valley often fail the first test and need sealing and a retest. Ask your contractor how they will handle your ductwork before you agree to the project.
Heat pumps require charge verification in every California climate zone. Standard air conditioners are only needed in certain zones, which do not include coastal areas like Santa Monica.
These are two separate things, and mixing them up is a common source of confusion.
These set the minimum requirements for equipment. For many residential split systems, the minimum SEER2 rating is about 14.3. Check the exact minimum for your system’s size and type.
These are voluntary standards set by your utility. For example, LADWP’s heat pump rebates start at 15.2 SEER2 and 7.7 HSPF2 for central systems. The highest rebate, $2,500 per ton for ductless systems, requires 20.5 SEER2 and 9.1 HSPF2.
These are not statewide requirements. Check the LADWP rebate guide for more details.
Systems with higher efficiency ratings cost more upfront but use less electricity to deliver the same amount of cooling. Whether the extra cost is worth it depends on how often you use the system, your utility rate plan, the condition of your ducts, and proper sizing.
Ask your contractor to compare options using your actual utility rates, not just a general estimate.
The AIM Act and California’s climate rules led to the phase-out of R-410A, and all R-410A equipment stopped being made on January 1, 2025. New systems now use A2L refrigerants: R-454B in most ducted systems and R-32 in many ductless systems.
Both have a lower global warming potential than R-410A and are mildly flammable, so they must be handled, stored, and installed in accordance with updated safety rules. Neither can directly replace R-410A, and only EPA 608-certified technicians can handle these refrigerants.
You can still legally operate and service existing R-410A systems. The EPA’s 2026 update removed the January 1, 2026, installation deadline for equipment made before 2025.
As R-410A becomes less available, the cost of recharging older systems may increase, which can affect your decision to repair or replace. See R-454B vs. R-410A for a full comparison.
In California, you need a CSLB license for construction work that costs $1,000 or more in labor and materials. This limit was raised from $500 on January 1, 2025.
The minor-work exemption does not apply to jobs that need a building permit, so you must use a licensed contractor for any HVAC replacement, no matter the price. HVAC work is classified as C-20.
Check any contractor’s license using the CSLB license lookup (our number is #1081403). If a contractor suggests skipping the permit, they put the risk on you. Learn how to choose a trustworthy HVAC contractor.
Rebate programs change throughout the year, so this information is just a snapshot. Check the California HVAC rebates guide for current amounts and requirements before purchasing.
Programs vary by customer type and funding, so an experienced contractor will check the latest status before including any incentive in your proposal.
The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit is not available for properties placed in service after December 31, 2025.
If qualifying equipment was placed in service during 2025, you may still claim the applicable credit on your 2025 return, subject to IRS rules. Consult a qualified tax professional. Affordable Heating and Air does not provide tax advice.
Ventura County projects follow the same state codes, but you must apply through your city or county building department.
Incentives are different: 3C-REN serves the tri-county region through enrolled contractors, and LADWP rebates do not apply.
Inland areas like Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Moorpark experience heat similar to that of the San Fernando Valley, which affects system sizing.
In coastal areas like Oxnard, Ventura, and Port Hueneme, salt air can impact outdoor equipment.
Our Simi Valley branch can explain current requirements at (805) 755-4074. See Ventura County HVAC services for more information.
If you are rebuilding a home that was substantially damaged in the January 2025 Palisades or Eaton fires, Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-29-25 lets you use the 2022 California Building Standards Code instead of the 2025 code, except for fire and life-safety rules.
LA County’s recovery site explains how this works locally. This can affect your equipment choices, ventilation, and documentation. Whether another fire or a Ventura County project qualifies depends on the scope of the order and your building department’s interpretation.
Check your eligibility before applying for permits.
New construction must meet the heat pump requirements mentioned earlier. LADWP does not offer heat pump HVAC rebates for ADUs or new construction, so check rebate rules separately from code requirements.
The 2025 Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) applies to permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2026. It expands heat pump baselines mainly for new construction and updates ventilation and control requirements.
Replacements still require permits, may require independent testing, and new equipment uses A2L refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32. These requirements can add paperwork and testing to a project, depending on its scope.
No, not when replacing equipment in an existing home. A heat pump may still be an appropriate fit, but it is a choice, not a mandate.
Yes, in the city of Los Angeles, including a like-for-like swap. Typical component repairs don’t need one. Other cities have their own building departments.
No. Independent verification applies to certain measures, such as duct leakage and refrigerant charge, depending on the scope, equipment, and climate zones. Confirm the requirements with your contractor and building department.
Minimums depend on system type and size, and the federal and code baselines for many residential split systems are 14.3 SEER2. LADWP’s rebate tiers start higher, at 15.2 SEER2 for heat pumps, but those are rebate targets, not code requirements.
Our C-20-licensed team (CSLB #1081403) handles permitting, Title 24 paperwork, field verification, rebate documentation, and installation throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
We will review the requirements for your specific project with you before you make any decisions.
Los Angeles County (Chatsworth headquarters): (818) 722-1332; Ventura County (Simi Valley branch): (805) 755-4074. Book an appointment