Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance (RECO)
The purpose of RECO is to increase the energy and water efficiency in Berkeley residences. Compliance with RECO measures saves money, increases the comfort and reduces the amount of greenhouse emissions in every home. This ordinance, adopted in 1985, contributes to the Berkeley Climate Action goal of reducing Berkeley's overall greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by the year 2050. Commercial spaces must comply with CECO (Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance)
When is RECO compliance required? RECO applies to all homes, residential areas of mixed-use buildings, tenants-in-common, condominiums, multi-family properties, live-work spaces and boarding houses (including the common areas/common systems.)
Renovation: All homes or apartment buildings undergoing renovations with a combined permit value of $50,000 or more must demonstrate compliance with RECO requirements by being inspected and filing "Form A - Certificate of RECO Compliance" with the City of Berkeley.
Sale or Transfer of Property: All homes or apartment buildings, sold or transferred must demonstrate compliance with RECO requirements by being inspected and filing "Form A - Certificate of RECO Compliance" with the City of Berkeley.
Berkeley FIRST: All homes or apartment buildings participating in the Berkeley FIRST program must demonstrate compliance with RECO requirements by being inspected and filing "Form A - Certificate of RECO Compliance" with the City of Berkeley.
To find out if a building is in compliance with RECO, contact the City’s Building and Safety Department at 981-7440 (Press 0 for RECO requests) and provide the property address to the Building and Safety staff for look up.
To request an Energy Audit from Community Energy Services Corporation (CESC) please call: 510-981-7760. Click here to go to CESC webpage
List of RECO Measures:
- Toilets -- 1.6 gal/flush or LESS, or flow reduction devices
- Showerheads -- 3.0 gal./minute or LESS flow rate. Available free from EBMUD
- Faucet aerators -- 2.75 gal./minute or LESS flow rate for kitchens and bathrooms. Available free from EBMUD.
- Water heater blankets -- Insulation of R-12 value; leave 3” of space around vent hood at the top
- Hot & Cold Water Piping – Insulate at least the first two feet from the heater to R-3 value
- Hot Water Piping in Pumped, Re-circulating Heating Systems -- Insulate all exposed pipes to R-3 value
- Exterior Door Weatherstripping -- Permanently affix weather stripping, and door sweeps or door shoes at the bottom of the door
- Furnace duct system -- Seal joints add insulation wrap to R-3 value minimum
- Fireplace chimneys -- Must have dampers, doors or closures
- Attic insulation -- Insulate to R-30 value or HIGHER (see Knob and Tube Wiring Information on website for safety information)
- Common Area Lighting (multi-unit buildings) -- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) of at least 25 lumens. CFLs will save up to 75% per year of the lighting portion of your electricity costs.
RECO Spending Limits:
For properties undergoing renovations of $50,000 or more, spending limit for RECO measures is 1% of renovation costs.
Additional Information:
RECO Compliance Guide (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions