Lower bills. Higher performance.
California pays homeowners to upgrade their homes — through Title 24 code, utility rebates, and state electrification programs. ADU PALS designs energy retrofits that satisfy the code, capture the rebates, and actually work over the life of the home.
What's included
Retrofits are engineering-forward. Get the calculations right and the rest follows.
- 01 Existing envelope + system audit
- 02 Title 24 compliance modeling
- 03 Insulation, window, HVAC, and DHW recommendations
- 04 Electrification pathway (panel, wiring, appliances)
- 05 Rebate + incentive stacking (SDG&E, TECH, HEEHRA, IRA)
- 06 Permit drawings + city submission
How retrofits work
Audit
On-site energy audit + Title 24 baseline modeling.
Design
Retrofit package with cost, rebate, and payback for each measure.
Permit
Permit drawings + city submission (typically over-the-counter for straightforward retrofits).
Install + verify
Construction, inspection, and rebate paperwork.
Common questions
01 What triggers Title 24 upgrades?
Any addition, alteration, or HVAC replacement can trigger prescriptive Title 24 requirements. Full remodels always trigger performance-path modeling.
02 What rebates are available in San Diego?
SDG&E rebates for heat pumps, insulation, and windows. TECH and HEEHRA rebates for electrification. IRA federal tax credits (25C for envelope, 25D for solar and storage). Combined rebates on a full retrofit routinely exceed $10K.
03 Should I go all-electric?
For most SD homes, yes — SDG&E's gas prices are high enough that heat pump economics beat gas over the equipment lifetime, and code is heading electric-only anyway.
04 What does an energy retrofit cost?
Design + permits: $2,500–$8,000. Construction varies widely — from $10K for envelope-only to $100K+ for full electrification with panel upgrade and solar. Net-of-rebates is often 40–60% lower.
05 How much can I save on utilities?
Well-executed retrofits cut energy bills 30–60% and often eliminate the gas bill entirely. Payback averages 5–9 years unfinanced, faster with rebates.
Often paired with this.
Whole Home Remodel Design in San Diego
Whole home remodels are the most cost-effective way to modernize a home without moving. ADU PALS designs and permits gut-level renovations across San …
Learn more →Permit Plans in San Diego
Bad permit drawings are the #1 reason projects get stuck in plan check. ADU PALS delivers complete, coordinated, code-compliant permit sets ready to s…
Learn more →Construction Consulting in San Diego
Construction is complicated and expensive, and most homeowners are figuring it out for the first time on their biggest financial commitment. ADU PALS …
Learn more →Ready to retrofit?
Free energy audit call. Real payback math on every measure.