Heat pump permits in California

Heat pumps are not the hard part

Heat pumps are becoming a baseline expectation in new residential, and the Energy Code is clear about the direction of travel.

The part that slows projects down is not the equipment. It’s the coordination and documentation that makes the mechanical story verifiable.

Reviewers are not trying to be difficult. They are trying to reduce risk. If the set requires interpretation, you get comments.

The 2026 change to keep in mind

For projects with permit applications on or after January 1, 2026, teams must comply with the 2025 Energy Code.

This matters because the review conversation becomes more explicit around:

• Heat pump baselines and electrification direction.

• Ventilation expectations.

• Electric-ready requirements.

• Documentation that proves compliance.

If you want the most practical summary for single-family, Energy Code Ace’s “What’s new” fact sheet is a strong starting point.

Where heat pump projects actually get stuck

We see three repeat failure modes that cause avoidable plan check cycles.

1. Load calculations are implied, not documented

If the load calculation is missing or hand-waved, the reviewer has to question equipment sizing and performance assumptions.

A common best practice for residential sizing is Manual J, which is the ANSI-recognized standard for residential load calculations.

What helps:

• Include the load calculation summary and assumptions.

• Keep the assumptions consistent with the envelope and ventilation narrative.

• Make it easy to trace how the selection was made.

2. Mechanical scope is unclear

Heat pump projects often fail in the handoff between “design intent” and “who is responsible for what.”

When scope is vague, teams coordinate late. Then the reviewer coordinates for everyone through comments.

What helps:

• State the mechanical scope clearly in the set.

• Name ownership for key decisions.

• Keep the story consistent across notes, schedules, and compliance paperwork.

3. Install verification and testing are treated as “later”

Energy compliance is not just design. It is proof.

California is actively shifting how field verification and diagnostic testing are handled under the Energy Code, including changes effective January 1, 2026.

What helps:

• Plan verification requirements early, not after plan check.

• Keep documentation organized so it is easy to verify.

• Avoid last-minute changes that force new checks.

A simple coordination checklist that prevents repeat comments

Before you submit, ask these questions:

• Is the load calculation documented, with assumptions that match the set?

• Is mechanical scope explicit, including responsibilities and system intent?

• Do the drawings and compliance documents tell the same story?

• Are ventilation requirements documented in a way a reviewer can verify quickly?

• Is install verification planned as part of the workflow, not a surprise?

If any answer is “not really,” you are likely buying another round.

Where Spacial fits

Spacial supports licensed engineering review with Orbit, our AI intelligence layer, to help catch missing context and coordination gaps early. AI supports the workflow. Licensed engineers own the decisions and the deliverable.

If you want, we can walk your team through the checklist we use internally and how we run pre-submit review so “please clarify” stops being the default outcome.