Is Your Agency Ready to Inspect Heat Pumps Remotely?

California’s electrification timeline isn’t going to wait, and neither should your agency.

On September 30, 2026, the governor signed the Heat Pump Access Act (SB 222), the Remote Virtual Inspection Act (AB 1738) and the Home Energy Choice Act (AB 2313). AB 1738 requires cities and counties to offer homeowners and contractors a remote inspection option for common, straightforward residential upgrades like heat pumps and solar, while leaving inspectors free to require an in-person visit when safety demands it.

For building departments, this is no longer a pilot program. It is a capability your team needs in place.

Why the pressure is growing

The state’s goal is 6 million heat pumps installed by 2030. Permitting is where that goal gets stuck.

• California has 600 jurisdictions with authority over heat pump permitting, creating a patchwork of local requirements. 
• Long waits for inspection, multiple permit types and high fees can all delay installations.
• An estimated 75 to 90 percent of California heat pump installations happen without a permit at all, which means no safety check.

Contractors who skip permits do it because the process is slow and unpredictable. A fast, easy inspection is the best way to bring them back.

What changes with remote inspection

A typical heat pump or heat pump water heater install is a good fit for remote inspection. The inspector needs to see the equipment, the nameplate, the electrical connections, the condensate and refrigerant line details, and the clearances. A contractor with a phone can show all of this live.

With a remote inspection:

• The inspector no longer drives to every site, so more inspections fit into a day
• Contractors get an inspection slot in hours, not days
• Failed items are found and explained on the call, so the contractor can fix them before leaving the property
• Inspectors keep the discretion to escalate to an in-person visit

What agencies need from a remote inspection platform

1. No friction for the contractor or homeowner. Blitzz Inspect runs in the browser. The person on site does not need to download an app. The inspector sends a link by text or email, and the session starts. 

2. A complete record attached to the permit. Inspection records are stored in the cloud and attach automatically to the permit or inspection file in the permitting system. That gives you a timestamped, auditable result for every inspection, whether it passed or failed. 

3. Integration with the permitting system you already use. You should not have to replace your permitting software or ask your staff to work in two places. Blitzz supports integrations with systems such as Accela and Procore.

4. Evidence that supports rebates. Many incentives depend on proof that the work was done. Public incentives for heat pumps require permit verification, so a closed permit with clear photo and video evidence helps contractors get paid and homeowners receive their rebates sooner. Recorded sessions and captured images give contractors the documentation they need.

5. Proof it works for government. Blitzz has been used by government agencies including the City of Berkeley and the City of San Mateo. 

Get ready before the deadline

AB 1738 covers solar, batteries, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and new roofs on one- and two-family homes, and remote inspection is expected to be available in cities and counties by 2028. Check the final bill text for your jurisdiction’s exact date.

Agencies that start early get time to:

1. Decide which permit types to offer remotely first (heat pump water heaters and straightforward HVAC replacements are natural starting points)
2. Write simple inspection checklists and photo requirements
3. Train inspectors and publish guidance for contractors
4. Connect the platform to the permitting system and test it on live permits

See Blitzz Inspect in action

Blitzz helps your team close out heat pump permits faster, capture the evidence contractors need, and work inside the permitting system you already have.

Book a demo to see a heat pump inspection from start to finish, and ask about special government pricing.