CA

Manual J Requirements in California

Is Manual J required in California?

YESCalifornia has adopted Title 24-2022 which requires HVAC loads be calculated per ACCA Manual J for new construction and major renovations.

Energy Code
Title 24-2022
Climate Zones
2B, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4C, 5B, 6B
Major Cities
Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco
Get Your Free California Manual J

California Energy Code & Manual J

Current Adopted Code

California has adopted Title 24-2022 as the statewide energy code for residential construction.California uses Title 24 which is stricter than IECC

HVAC sizing per ACCA Manual J
Duct design per ACCA Manual D
Equipment selection per ACCA Manual S

What California Building Departments Require

  • Manual J load calculation report
  • Equipment sizing documentation
  • Professional-quality PDF format
  • Climate zone and design temp data

California Climate Zones & Design Temperatures

IECC Climate Zone
2B

Primary zone covering Los Angeles and surrounding areas

IECC Climate Zone
3B

Additional zone in California

IECC Climate Zone
3C

Additional zone in California

IECC Climate Zone
4B

Additional zone in California

IECC Climate Zone
4C

Additional zone in California

IECC Climate Zone
5B

Additional zone in California

IECC Climate Zone
6B

Additional zone in California

Manual J Requirements by California City

Los Angeles
Zone 2B
San Diego
Zone 2B
San Francisco
Zone 2B
San Jose
Zone 2B
Sacramento
Zone 2B

How to Get a Manual J Calculation in California

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AutoHVAC (FREE First Report)

  • Upload your California blueprint
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Local California Contractors

  • Turnaround: 3-7 days
  • $Typical cost: $150-400
  • On-site visit possible
  • Local expertise

DIY Software

  • Time: 30+ minutes per calc
  • $Cost: $5-200+/month
  • CoolCalc, Wrightsoft, etc.
  • Requires manual data entry

California Manual J FAQ

How much does a Manual J calculation cost in California?

Local California contractors typically charge $150-400 for Manual J calculations. AutoHVAC offers your first Manual J calculation completely FREE with permit-ready results in 60 seconds — no credit card required.

Is a Manual J calculation required in California?

Yes. California follows Title 24-2022 which requires heating and cooling loads be calculated per ACCA Manual J for permits on new construction and major HVAC work.

Where can I get a Manual J calculation in California?

You can get a free Manual J calculation for California instantly at AutoHVAC — upload your blueprint and receive a permit-ready report in 60 seconds. Alternatively, local California HVAC contractors charge $150-400 with 3-7 day turnaround, or you can use DIY software like Wrightsoft or CoolCalc ($5-200+/month).

What climate zone is California in for Manual J?

California includes IECC climate zones 2B, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4C, 5B, 6B. Zone 2B is most common, covering cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco. Climate zone data determines design temperatures and insulation requirements used in Manual J calculations.

Get Your Free California Manual J Calculation

Join thousands of California contractors who use AutoHVAC for instant, permit-ready load calculations.

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