Berkeley Real Estate | The RICO Disclosure: How Berkeley Ca Is Leading The Way In Energy Conservation Efforts

Berkeley California has been an icon for progressive change for years, and the RICO ordinance is another reflection of this. This law reinforces the city's commitment to being a model for energy conservation.

RICO stands for Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (city of Berkeley ordinance 6099), and it's meant to ensure that anyone buying real estate in Berkeley is informed of their duty to comply with the energy conservation efforts of the city.

Under the ordinance, the responsibility of the following are transferred to the buyer upon close of escrow:

1. Insulate the ceiling to an R-value of 30

2. Seal and insulate furnace ducts to R-value of 3

3. Insulate storage water heaters to an R-value of 6

4. Install low-flow shower and faucet devices or fixtures

5. Insulate hot water pipes to an R-value of 3 in pumped recirculating water heating systems

6. Insulate water heater pipes to an R-value of 3

7. Replace incandescent lights with lamps of at least 25 lumens per watt

8. Weatherstrip exterior doors

9. Block air-flow and heat loss through chimney

10. Replace or modify toilets to reduce amount of water used

Once a buyer closes on a property in Berkeley, they have one year to complete the items listed above, arrange for a RECO inspection and file a certificate of compliance form with the city of Berkeley.

I believe Berkeley Ca is the first city in Ca (and perhaps the country) to require this type of compliance. By the way, the same type of ordinance (CECO) applies to commercial property in Berkeley Ca. I wonder how long it will take for other cities in Ca to require this? Considering the whole global warming phenomenon, plus an ever shorter shorter supply of water, it's probably not a bad idea for cities to get the ball rolling on these types of requirements. It not only serves to help the environment, but it also saves us money!

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