Permits and Title 24 (2026 standards)
Replacing a system in the City of San Diego takes a mechanical permit from the Development Services Department - standard residential changeouts process online through Accela as a Simple No-Plan Mechanical Permit. County areas go through Planning & Development Services.
| Requirement | Details (effective Jan 1, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Energy code | 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 6) |
| Duct leakage verification | Independent HERS/ECC rater verification required. Total leakage 10% or less - 5% if ducts are completely replaced. |
| Registry | CHEERS registration is mandatory. CalCERTS ceased operations in August 2024. |
| Refrigerant charge | Refrigerant Charge Verification is mandatory in Climate Zones 10 and 14. FID is not accepted. |
Historic properties do not qualify for simple no-plan permits - they need full architectural review under Information Bulletin 581.
SDG&E rates
SDG&E is among the most expensive utilities in the country: bundled residential rates run roughly 42-52 cents per kWh depending on plan, with time-of-use peaks higher. Efficiency upgrades and pre-cooling pay back faster here than almost anywhere else - every kWh you do not buy at 5 PM is the most expensive kWh in the West.
Current schedules at sdge.com.
What systems cost here
| Job | San Diego-area range (installed) |
|---|---|
| 3-5 ton package unit | $11,500 - $23,000+ |
| 3-5 ton split system | $12,500 - $25,000+ |
| Permits, Title 24, HERS testing | $500 - $1,500 |
| Diagnostic visit | $79 - $129 |
| Minor electrical repair | $150 - $350 |
| Component repair | $450 - $950 |
Coastal and inland care
Coastal units fight salt: E-coated coils on new installs, quarterly fresh-water coil rinses on existing ones. Inland (El Cajon, Santee) it is the desert playbook - hard start kits, capacitor checks, sealed ducts. Both routines start in the maintenance guide.