If you're an HVAC contractor, builder, or homeowner in California, you may have recently heard that "HERS ratings" are now called "ECC." You might be wondering: did anything actually change? Do I need to do something different? Should I be worried?
The short answer: the inspections and requirements are essentially unchanged. California rebranded the program, but the work you know — Title 24 field verification, certificate filing, duct testing, refrigerant charge verification — is all the same.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is HERS, and What Is ECC?
HERS stands for Home Energy Rating System. It was the name used for California's residential energy compliance verification program for decades. When a new home was built, or when an HVAC system was replaced, a licensed HERS rater would inspect the work, verify it met California's Title 24 energy code requirements, and file a certificate with the state's HERS registry.
In 2026, California officially renamed this program to ECC — Energy Code Compliance. The California Energy Commission (CEC) made the change to better reflect what the program actually does: it verifies that homes and HVAC systems comply with the state's energy code. The new name is simply more descriptive.
Key point: ECC and HERS are the same program. The name changed. The inspections, the requirements, the registry, the certificate forms — all remain functionally the same.
What Actually Changed
The practical changes are primarily administrative:
- The program is now referred to as "ECC" in official California Energy Commission documentation and building department communications
- New certificates and forms use the ECC terminology
- The California HERS registry updated its interface to reflect the new name
- New Title 24 permit documentation references ECC rather than HERS
That's essentially it. The inspection checklists, the measures that require verification (refrigerant charge, fan efficacy, duct leakage, QII insulation, etc.), the timeline for filing, and the qualifications for raters are all unchanged.
What Did NOT Change
This is the more important list for most contractors and homeowners:
- Which projects require ECC/HERS: The triggers are the same. HVAC replacements with new ductwork or in climate zones where it's required, new construction, additions — all the same rules apply
- The inspection process: A licensed ECC rater (formerly called a HERS rater) visits the job site, performs the required tests, and verifies the work meets Title 24 requirements
- The measures verified: Refrigerant charge, fan efficacy, duct leakage, blower door, QII insulation, kitchen hood, and all other verification measures are unchanged
- Certificate filing: Certificates are still filed with the state registry. They're now called ECC certificates rather than HERS certificates, but the process is the same
- Permit requirements: Building departments throughout Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, and San Joaquin counties still require the same documentation for permit closeout
For HVAC contractors: You don't need to change anything about how you work with your ECC rater (formerly HERS rater). Call us when you need an inspection, we come out, we file the certificate. Business as usual — just new letterhead.
Why Did California Make the Change?
The California Energy Commission has been refining its energy code compliance programs for years, and the 2026 rename was part of a broader effort to align the residential program's branding with the nonresidential program and to make the purpose clearer to the public.
The old HERS acronym originated from a national rating system that California eventually adapted and significantly expanded for its own Title 24 program. As California's version diverged from the national HERS system over the years, keeping the HERS name became increasingly confusing for consumers and building professionals.
The new ECC name — Energy Code Compliance — makes it immediately clear that this is a compliance verification program tied to California's energy code, not a rating or scoring system.
What Does This Mean for Homeowners in Sacramento?
If you're having your HVAC system replaced or building a new home, the process looks exactly the same as before. Your HVAC contractor or builder will coordinate with a licensed ECC rater (that's us) to schedule an inspection. We come out to the job site, verify the installation meets Title 24 requirements, and file the certificate with the state registry the same day.
The certificate you receive at the end of the project will say "ECC" rather than "HERS," but it serves the same function and satisfies the same permit requirements.
A Note on Terminology During the Transition
It will take time for everyone to fully transition to the new terminology. Don't be surprised if:
- Your HVAC contractor still says "HERS inspection" out of habit
- Some permit offices still reference HERS in their forms and instructions
- Online searches for "HERS rater Sacramento" still return accurate results for ECC raters like Roo's Ratings
This is all normal. During any regulatory name change, both old and new terminology coexist for a while. The key is that the underlying requirement is the same — you need a licensed ECC/HERS rater to inspect and certify the work.
Questions About ECC or HERS for Your Project?
Roo's Ratings is a licensed ECC rater serving the Sacramento region. We're up to date on all 2026 requirements and file certificates the same day as inspection.
Summary: HERS vs. ECC at a Glance
| Topic | Old (HERS) | New (ECC) |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Home Energy Rating System | Energy Code Compliance |
| Which projects require it | Same | Same |
| Inspection process | Same | Same |
| Measures verified | Same | Same |
| Certificate filing | California HERS Registry | Same registry, new name |
| Rater qualifications | Same | Same |
| Cost impact | — | None |
Bottom line: if you needed a HERS rater before 2026, you need an ECC rater now. Same service, same requirements, same day-of-inspection certificate filing. The name is the only thing that changed.
Roo's Ratings serves the entire Sacramento region as a licensed ECC rater. Call (530) 300-4472 to schedule an inspection or ask any questions about 2026 ECC requirements for your project.
