Oakland Ca Real Estate's Blog: Berkeley Real Estate

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…