Heat Pump Water Heaters and Title 24 Compliance

The 2022 Energy Code made the heat pump water heater (HPWH) the baseline for single-family new construction. Baseline means the energy budget your design is scored against already assumes one, so specifying a gas or electric-resistance tank is not prohibited outright — it just puts you in a hole you have to dig out of with efficiency elsewhere in the building. In practice that made HPWHs the default on most new homes.

The 2025 Energy Code extends the same framing rather than replacing it, carrying heat pump water heating into multifamily construction. If you built to the 2022 code on the single-family side, the 2025 cycle is a widening of ground you already know.

Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from the surrounding air into the water tank, making them two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric resistance or gas water heaters. This efficiency gain is critical for meeting California's aggressive energy and carbon reduction goals.

When a heat pump water heater is installed, the HERS or ECC rater may need to verify proper installation including correct placement for adequate airflow, proper condensate drainage, appropriate electrical connections, and that the unit matches the specifications listed on the CF1R compliance report. Some installations also require verification of the dedicated 240-volt circuit and proper clearances.

Heat pump water heaters need adequate airspace around them to operate efficiently. California's building code requires a minimum room volume or louvered door for enclosed installations. They also produce cool, dehumidified air as a byproduct, which can be beneficial in warm climates but should be considered in cooler regions.