A commercial tenant improvement (TI) adapts existing nonresidential space for a new tenant or use. Under California’s Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6), the compliance scope is driven entirely by what you alter — lighting, HVAC, envelope, or added conditioned area — so two TIs of the same size can need very different documentation.
How TI scope is determined
The Energy Code treats alterations by system. Reworking the indoor lighting pulls in the indoor lighting certificate (NRCC-LTI); changing HVAC equipment or distribution pulls in the mechanical certificate (NRCC-MCH); altering walls, roof, or glazing pulls in the envelope certificate (NRCC-ENV); and changing exterior fixtures pulls in outdoor lighting (NRCC-LTO). A TI that only refinishes surfaces with no regulated systems may fall outside the energy scope — but that should be documented rather than assumed.
Prescriptive vs performance, and field steps
Most TIs comply prescriptively, meeting each altered component’s requirement, but the performance path (whole-building modeling) can help when a design does not meet a prescriptive item. Our report is the design-stage NRCC package for permit. During construction, installation certificates (NRCI) and acceptance testing (NRCA) by a certified technician verify that controls and equipment perform as documented.
Documents and timeline
The fastest commercial TI reviews start with a complete, coordinated plan set, because the energy scope is read directly from the drawings. Architectural plans, a lighting plan with a controls narrative, and mechanical schedules for any HVAC changes are usually enough to identify the required certificates and produce them. Missing or inconsistent sheets are the most common cause of delay in commercial energy review. Once we can see the full scope, standard, rush, and same-day options are available, and we confirm a firm timeline with your quote.
What we need to quote and prepare your report
Send the plan set so we can scope only the systems your TI actually alters:
- Architectural plans and reflected ceiling plans
- Lighting plan, fixture schedule, and controls narrative (if lighting changes)
- Mechanical plans and equipment schedules (if HVAC changes)
- Envelope details (if walls, roof, or glazing change)
- Project address, tenant/use, and scope narrative
- Whether conditioned area is being added
Example project
Illustrative example — not a specific customer: A 2,800-square-foot suite is re-tenanted with new LED lighting and controls but keeps the existing HVAC and envelope. Because only lighting is altered, the project needs NRCC-LTI plus acceptance testing of the installed lighting controls — no mechanical or envelope certificates are required.
Commercial Title 24 pricing
Commercial projects are quoted individually — priced by building type, conditioned floor area, compliance path, and the systems in scope, not a flat rate. Upload your plans for a firm quote, with standard, rush, and same-day options.
← Back to Commercial Title 24 · All services · Request a quote