Berkeley Energy Office

What is RECO?

The Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance was adopted to improve the energy and water efficiency of existing housing in the City of Berkeley. It is meant to help insulate residents from energy price increases by reducing the amount of energy used for heat, hot water, and lighting.

The ordinance states that every home or apartment building sold or transferred in Berkeley or undergoing renovations with a total value of $50,000 or more must meet energy and water efficiency requirements for the following items:

SAFETY NOTE: "Knob and Tube" wiring in older homes: if your home has "knob and tube" wiring in the attic, you must have a certified, licensed electrician inspect the wiring prior to installing any attic insulation, and certify that the wiring is safe to insulate around. This certification must be submitted with your RECO Form A and $15 payment to the City Building and Safety Division. Existing insulation that meets the current RECO code is exempt. If additional insulation is needed to bring the current level of insulation into compliance, an inspection and certification is required.

Wiring that fails a safety inspection should never be insulated. Doing so could cause a catastrophic fire, threatening the lives of those in the home. Upgrade poor wiring, including junction boxes and splices that may overheat if surrounded with insulation.

Item

Requirement

1. Toilets

1.6 gal./flush toilet, or flow reduction devices

2. Showerheads

3.0 gal./min. flow rate

3. Faucets

2.75 gal./min. flow rate for kitchen and bathrooms

4. Water Heaters

Insulation wrap of R-12 value

5. Hot & Cold Water Piping

Insulate first two feet from water heater to R-3 value

6. Hot Water Piping in Pumped, Recirculating Heating Systems

Insulate all piping to R-3 value

7. Exterior Door Weather-Stripping

Permanently affixed weather-stripping, and door sweeps or door shoes

8. Furnace Duct Work

Seal duct joints, add insulation wrap to R-3 value

9. Fireplace Chimneys

Dampers, doors, or closures

10. Attic Insulation

Insulate to a minimum of R-30 value

11. Common Area Lighting (multi-unit buildings only)

Replace incandescent with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) of at least 25 lumens per watt

All homes sold or substantially renovated must demonstrate compliance with these requirements by being inspected and filing "Form A - Certificate of RECO Compliance" with the City of Berkeley.

Live/Work v.s. Work/Live Determinations: Studios, lofts and live-in spaces that are 1,500 square feet or less are considered residential housing, and must also comply with RECO. Spaces larger than 1,500 square feet are exempt from RECO, but must comply with the Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance (CECO). Call 510-981-7500 for information, or visit the CECO page for compliance information.

Back to RECO Guide main page.

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Housing/Energy and Sustainable Development
2120 Milvia Street, 2nd Floor Berkeley, CA 94704
Telephone: (510) 981-7439
TDD: (510) 981-7474
Email: Energy@ci.berkeley.ca.us