2025 Title 24 Code Changes: What You Need to Know for Solar Water and Pool Heating
2025 Title 24 Code Changes: What You Need to Know for Solar Water and Pool Heating
Effective January 1, 2026, California’s new Title 24 (2025 edition) takes effect, with major updates impacting solar water heating and pool/spa heating systems in both residential and commercial construction.
Pool and Spa Heating
Gas-only heaters are no longer code-compliant.
New or newly heated pools and spas must use low-emission or renewable systems such as:
Solar thermal collectors sized to at least 65 percent of pool surface area
Code-compliant heat pump pool heaters
Hybrid systems delivering at least 60 percent of annual heating from renewables
Solar and heat pump combinations without gas backup
Residential Water Heating
The code favors all-electric systems, especially heat pump water heaters (HPWHs).
New single-family homes must be electric ready
Gas tankless heaters are being phased out in many cases
Solar thermal remains important, especially in multifamily buildings using backup
Electric and Solar Readiness
New homes and buildings must now include:
Dedicated 240V circuits for heat pump water heaters
Space for future solar and battery storage
Reserved roof area for solar thermal collectors where applicable
What This Means for You
Gas-only designs will no longer meet code starting January 1, 2026
Permitting will require clear compliance paths, such as solar, heat pump, or hybrid systems
Inspectors will verify that installed systems match the approved energy documentation
Early coordination with design and mechanical teams is critical to avoid delays or costly revisions
Retrofit vs. New Construction
New pools and spas must meet the 2025 requirements.
Existing gas heaters can still be replaced like-for-like.
Adding heat to previously unheated pools or spas will trigger renewable requirements.
Most changes apply to new construction and additions, though some local jurisdictions may enforce stricter reach codes.
Incentives and Rebates
Federal Tax Credit: 30 percent solar thermal credit available through 2032
Utility Rebates: SoCalGas currently offers $2,500 to $5,000 for qualifying residential solar water heating systems (installations must be completed by the end of 2025)
Incentives may change or phase out in 2026, so early action is advised.
Why Work with SunEarth
For nearly five decades, SunEarth has helped contractors, developers, and engineers meet evolving code requirements with high-performance, ICC-SRCC certified solar thermal systems.
Our team supports:
Title 24 compliant system design
Equipment selection
Permit preparation and documentation
Energy modeling support
Incentive and rebate alignment
Let’s Build What’s Next – Together
If you are planning 2026 projects that involve domestic hot water, pool heating, or renewable integration, now is the time to align with the new standard. SunEarth is here to help you stay ahead of the code while delivering efficient, reliable, and future-ready systems.
Contact SunEarth to get started.