Attic insulation in Chico, CA
An attic retrofit that does more than add insulation: air sealing, baffles, an insulated attic hatch and sealed ductwork, done together. Plus what Chico's RECO point-of-sale rule means if you are selling an older home.
Why we treat insulation as a retrofit, not a blow-in
Blowing more insulation into an attic that leaks air through every light fixture, top plate and plumbing hole only gets you part of the benefit. CCB Construction is a residential construction and remodeling contractor based in Chico, and we handle attic insulation as a home performance retrofit: seal the attic floor, fix ventilation and baffles, insulate and weatherstrip the attic access, seal the accessible ductwork, then insulate. Tyler Carlisle runs every job himself.
Our crew handles the attic work start to finish: clearing access, air sealing, baffles, blowing in insulation to the required depth, and sealing accessible ductwork. If the house also needs electrical or HVAC work, we coordinate it in the same scope.
What an attic retrofit can include
- Removal of old insulation that is compressed, wet or contaminated by rodents. Older vermiculite insulation can contain asbestos and has to be tested before anyone disturbs it.
- Air sealing at top plates, wire and pipe penetrations, chases and recessed lights. Older recessed cans that are not rated for contact with insulation need covers or replacement.
- Baffles at the eaves so insulation doesn't block attic ventilation.
- A weatherstripped, insulated attic hatch or pull-down stair, often the biggest single air leak in the house.
- Sealing of accessible ductwork and replacing crushed or disconnected ducts.
- Blown or batt insulation to the depth the project calls for.
- Electrical safety. Older knob-and-tube wiring needs an electrician's evaluation before insulation goes over it.
Chico heat and your attic
Chico summers regularly run well over 100 degrees, and an attic above a dark roof gets much hotter than that. In many Chico houses the ductwork runs through the attic, so cooled air travels through the hottest part of the house before it reaches the rooms. Sealing the ducts, sealing the attic floor and getting real insulation depth are the measures that make the biggest difference in comfort upstairs and in how hard the AC works. The same measures help in winter.
RECO: Chico's point-of-sale energy rule
The City of Chico has a Residential Energy Conservation Ordinance, known as RECO, in Chapter 16.60 of the Chico Municipal Code. According to the City's Building Division, it applies to homes, condos and apartment buildings inside city limits that were built under a permit issued before July 1, 1991, when the property is sold or transferred, unless it already has a RECO Certificate of Compliance from within the past 10 years.
- Attic insulation comes first. The City's program materials call for attic spaces with enough headroom to be insulated to at least R-30, regardless of cost.
- Other measures may follow. If the insulation costs less than the City's spending limit for that type of property, additional measures on the City's list are required in priority order until the limit is reached. The list covers items like air sealing, low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets, water heater and pipe insulation, a programmable thermostat and a duct check.
- Inspection. A City-certified energy conservation inspector inspects the home, identifies what is missing, and certifies the work once it is done. The City then issues the certificate.
- Who does the work. The seller normally handles it. The City allows the buyer to take on responsibility through a transfer agreement, subject to the Building Official's approval, with a deadline to complete the work after closing.
- Exemptions exist, including manufactured homes and certain transfers such as court-ordered sales, transfers between spouses or relatives, and short sales.
These details come from the City's published program information and can change. Before you list or buy, confirm the current requirements, limits and deadlines with the City of Chico Building Division.
How we help with a RECO sale
Once the inspector has listed what the house needs, we can scope and complete the attic insulation and the related measures, coordinate with the inspector for the final, and keep the work on a schedule that fits your escrow. If you are buying a pre-1991 house and taking over RECO responsibility, we can plan the retrofit right after closing.
How an attic project runs with us
First, a walkthrough including the attic itself. Second, a written scope with a fixed price that lists removal, air sealing, ventilation, ductwork, the access and the insulation type and depth. Third, the work, with the path to the attic hatch protected and the house cleaned up daily. Fourth, a final walkthrough together.
Questions people ask
Does my house fall under RECO?
Based on the City's published information, it applies to residential property inside Chico city limits built under a permit issued before July 1, 1991, at the time of sale or transfer, with some exemptions. Homes outside city limits in unincorporated Butte County are not under the City's ordinance. Confirm your property with the City of Chico Building Division.
Will existing insulation count toward RECO?
If the attic already meets the requirement, it may not need more. The City also gives credit for qualifying work done before the sale, documented by receipts. The certified inspector decides what passes.
Can you do the RECO inspection?
No. The inspection and certification are done by a City-certified energy conservation inspector. We do the retrofit work the inspector calls for.
How long does an attic retrofit take?
Most single-family attics are a day or two of on-site work. Removal of old insulation, ductwork repairs or electrical corrections add time.
Related work
Where we work
Chico and the rest of Butte, Yuba, Sutter, Shasta and Sacramento counties, including:
- Home remodeling in Oroville
- Home remodeling in Paradise
- Home remodeling in Durham
- Home remodeling in Magalia
- Home remodeling in Gridley
- Home remodeling in Yuba City
- Home remodeling in Marysville
- Home remodeling in Redding
- All areas we serve
Start a project
Tell us about the job, add a couple of photos if you have them, and we will reach out within one business day to set up a walkthrough. You get a written scope and a fixed price before anything is scheduled.