Juneteenth: A Day of Freedom, Respect, and Reflection

June 19th, known as Juneteenth, is more than just a historical milestone. It’s a powerful reminder of freedom delayed, resilience tested, and progress still in motion.

On this day in 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to deliver a message that should have been heard years earlier: Slavery had been abolished.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect in 1863, many enslaved African Americans in remote areas of the South had not yet been informed, or freed.

For the 250,000 still enslaved in Texas, freedom finally became real on June 19, 1865.

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 Why Juneteenth Matters

Juneteenth stands as a nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. It represents:

• Freedom: Honoring those who endured slavery and those who never gave up fighting for justice.

• Education: An opportunity to learn the full story of America...including the parts left out of history books. Proper education will ultimately bring respect. 

• Reflection: A time to recognize how far we've come and how far we still have to go in the pursuit of character over color, impartiality, and fairness. 

In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, marking an important step in acknowledging this vital chapter in our country’s journey.

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 What Can You Do?

• Learn about the history of slavery, Reconstruction, and civil rights.

• Support Black-owned businesses and creators.

• Celebrate the culture, contributions, and strength of the Black community.

• Reflect on how you can help build a more just and inclusive future.

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Juneteenth reminds us that both freedom and respect of humanity must be fought for, protected, and honored, not just on one day, but every day.

- The Weatherized Brat 🛠

Don’t Rock the “CAZ”-bah!

🎸 The song, “Rock The Casbah”, by The Clash, was a popular hit from the 1980's. Punk rock at its finest. A song widely interpreted as a critique of oppressive regimes and a celebration of freedom and  expression. But, what the heck do we mean by don’t rock the “CAZ”-bah? 

Known as the Combustion Appliance Zone, the CAZ is very important with regard to the safety of your home. The CAZ does become a bit more relevant depending on the style of your gas-fired mechanical systems. We’ll comment on that shortly. First, let’s understand what the CAZ is and why it’s important.

 What Is the CAZ?

The Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) refers to any area in a home that contains combustion appliances, such as:

• Gas furnaces
• Water heaters
• Boilers
• Wood or gas stoves
• Fireplaces
• Gas Dryers

This zone is where combustion occurs to create heat, and where the byproducts (like carbon monoxide) must be safely vented out of the home.

 Why the CAZ Is So Important

Improperly functioning combustion appliances or poor ventilation in the CAZ can lead to serious health and safety hazards. Here’s why the CAZ matters:

1. Carbon Monoxide Risk

If combustion gases are not vented properly, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) can backdraft into the living space. Testing the CAZ ensures CO stays outside where it belongs.

2. Backdrafting Hazards

A depressurized CAZ can cause combustion gases to flow back into the home instead of up the flue. Weatherization activities (like tightening the building envelope) can unintentionally increase this risk.

3. Draft Pressure Testing

Part of CAZ testing includes measuring draft pressure in the flue during appliance operation. This helps confirm that exhaust gases are moving safely up and out.

4. Spillage Testing

Inspectors also test whether gases are spilling out of the appliance when it runs, especially during worst-case depressurization conditions (all exhaust fans running, doors closed, etc.).

To summarize in simple terms, the CAZ absolutely needs an adequate amount of air for proper combustion, as well as effective venting for the gas burning byproducts. 

As I mentioned earlier, there is a difference in how mechanical systems vent out gases. Your furnace or water heater may atmospherically/naturally draft (no fan assistance), or have mechanical assistance, which means a fan is forcing the gas up and out the flue pipe. An atmospherically drafting system relies much more heavily on proper air pressure in the CAZ for safe operation. 

 What Happens During a CAZ Test?

A qualified technician will:

• Turn on all exhaust fans and simulate “worst-case” conditions

• Measure room pressures with manometers

• Test appliance venting and CO levels

• Determine if the CAZ is safe, marginal, or unsafe

Bottom Line

The CAZ is where your home breathes fire, and it must be carefully managed.
Ensuring this zone is safe is not just a code requirement; it's a life-saving measure.

If you're working with an energy auditor or weatherization team, make sure CAZ testing is on the checklist...because efficiency and safety should go hand-in-hand.

And one last thing...be sure you have an operational carbon monoxide detector in your CAZ. 👍

- The Weatherized Brat 🛠

🇺🇸 D-Day: A Reminder of Courage in Everyday Life

Today marks the anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944...a day that reshaped the course of history. Over 150,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, facing impossible odds with unwavering courage. Many of them were barely older than young teenagers, carrying heavy packs, heavier fears, and the weight of freedom on their backs.

The lessons of D-Day should echo in our daily work and lives. That's how those who stormed the beaches of Normandy would want it to be. Cherish and enjoy your freedom and liberty, but operate with courage, resilience, and service.

• Courage is showing up when the odds feel stacked against you.

• Resilience is getting knocked down by change and standing back up, even stronger.

• Service is putting your skills to work to help others live safer, more secure lives...whether that’s in a home, a family, or a community.

We may not face wartime beaches in our lifetime, but life gives us our own battles. Never lose sight of improving yourself, but dig even deeper to find the courage to help and build a relationship with someone less fortunate. Simple and kind interactions can go a long way.

So today, in honor of those who gave everything on D-Day, let’s remember this:
Bravery isn’t always big. Sometimes it’s quiet, steady, and close to home.

And that kind of bravery we’re all capable of. 

- The Weatherized Brat 🛠

https://www.history.com/articles/d-day

A Man's Home is His Castle: Let's Energy Audit!

Can you imagine doing an energy audit of a castle? You know, one of those beautiful 12th century stone structures on the Rhine River. Not really of importance in those days, I only assume. What is an energy audit anyway? Why is it seen as a valuable tool today? 

With the 12th century castle, the occupants were burning wood and candles for heat and light. I suppose if they wanted to calculate how many cords of wood they were burning, it might have helped. But, likely wasn’t much they could do to improve castle efficiency, nonetheless. 

A short, fun fact… living at Ramstein AB, Germany during high school, us military brats found one of our hangouts to be a Roman castle. More or less a Roman ruin, I would say. Known as Nanstein Castle. Nanstein Castle - Wikipedia. Not on the Rhine river, but not too far away. It was a fun hangout, and a great story to tell to this day. 

So... What is an Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a top-to-bottom checkup of your home’s energy performance. Think of it like a physical exam for your house, but instead of a doctor with a stethoscope, you get a building performance expert with gadgets, cameras, and a sixth sense for where your energy is escaping.

Their goal? To find out where your home is losing energy (and money) and how to fix it.

 What Happens During an Energy Audit?

You don’t need to do much to prep. Just be ready to open a few doors and windows, and maybe your mind too. Here’s what typically happens:

 1. Blower Door Test

This fan-mounted contraption pulls air out of your house to lower the indoor pressure, making it easier to find where outside air is sneaking in. Think of it as turning your house into a giant leak detector. More details on this another day. 

 2. Thermal Imaging

An infrared camera shows where heat is escaping (or invading). Cold walls, poor insulation, drafty corners…nothing hides from a thermal lens.

 3. Insulation & Air Sealing Inspection

Attics, basements, crawlspaces... the auditor checks how well your home is insulated and how airtight it really is.

 4. Lighting & Appliance Review

Your fridge, furnace, water heater, and even your light bulbs all get a once-over. Energy hogs, beware.

 Why Get One?

If you’ve ever muttered “why is it so cold in here” while paying your heating bill, an audit could change your life (or at least your utility statement).

Here’s what you get:

• Lower energy bills (potential savings of 10–30%)
• More consistent comfort (no more hot upstairs / cold downstairs chaos)
• A plan of action tailored to your home
• Rebates and incentives you might not know about

 Who Performs It?

Professional energy auditors are trained and certified, often by organizations like BPI (Building Performance Institute) or RESNET. Many utilities also offer low-cost or free audits, so check locally before shelling out cash.

 What Comes Next?

After the audit, you’ll receive a detailed report showing:

• Where energy is being lost
• How efficient (or inefficient) your heating and cooling systems are
• Recommended upgrades (with estimated savings)
• Cost vs. benefit breakdown

From there, you can prioritize fixes…whether it’s sealing leaks, adding insulation, replacing a furnace, or just swapping bulbs.

 Bottom Line

An energy audit isn’t just about patching leaks…it’s about making your home smarter, more comfortable, and cheaper to run. It’s one of the most useful things you can do as a homeowner, renter, or landlord.

So don’t just weather the weather...weatherize like a brat. Get the facts, get the audit, and take back control of your castle.

The Weatherized Brat 🛠