WILSONVILLE, Ore., March 31, 2010—Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced that Dr. Vladimír Székely, development engineering manager with Mentor Graphics MicReD® [Microelectronics Research and Development] group and professor at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, has received the Dennis Gabor Award for Innovation. The Dennis Gabor (original Hungarian name, Dénes Gábor) Award is Hungary’s highest technical honor, named after the Hungarian electrical engineer and inventor of holography, for which Gabor received the Nobel Prize in physics.

WILSONVILLE, Ore., March 31, 2010—Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced that Dr. Vladimír Székely, development engineering manager with Mentor Graphics MicReD® [Microelectronics Research and Development] group and professor at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, has received the Dennis Gabor Award for Innovation. The Dennis Gabor (original Hungarian name, Dénes Gábor) Award is Hungary’s highest technical honor, named after the Hungarian electrical engineer and inventor of holography, for which Gabor received the Nobel Prize in physics.

WILSONVILLE, Ore., March 31, 2010—Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced that Dr. Vladimír Székely, development engineering manager with Mentor Graphics MicReD® [Microelectronics Research and Development] group and professor at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, has received the Dennis Gabor Award for Innovation. The Dennis Gabor (original Hungarian name, Dénes Gábor) Award is Hungary’s highest technical honor, named after the Hungarian electrical engineer and inventor of holography, for which Gabor received the Nobel Prize in physics.

WILSONVILLE, Ore., March 31, 2010—Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced that Dr. Vladimír Székely, development engineering manager with Mentor Graphics MicReD® [Microelectronics Research and Development] group and professor at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, has received the Dennis Gabor Award for Innovation. The Dennis Gabor (original Hungarian name, Dénes Gábor) Award is Hungary’s highest technical honor, named after the Hungarian electrical engineer and inventor of holography, for which Gabor received the Nobel Prize in physics.

WILSONVILLE, Ore., March 31, 2010—Mentor Graphics Corporation (NASDAQ: MENT) today announced that Dr. Vladimír Székely, development engineering manager with Mentor Graphics MicReD® [Microelectronics Research and Development] group and professor at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, has received the Dennis Gabor Award for Innovation. The Dennis Gabor (original Hungarian name, Dénes Gábor) Award is Hungary’s highest technical honor, named after the Hungarian electrical engineer and inventor of holography, for which Gabor received the Nobel Prize in physics.

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A direct vent fireplace makes you feel comfortable with warmth generated by the fireplace without a chimney. Gas fireplaces are zero-clearance, so do not worry about the hot temperatures on its surface. By using air from outside the home, a direct vent fireplace can burn so efficiently without releasing pollutants that are harmful to the surrounding air.

Easy to install
Since the installation of unique style ventilation is very easy, you can put direct vent fireplace exit at the rear of the house or the side wall, vertically through the roof.

Easy to Use

In the use of direct vent fireplace can be made easier with the remote control and wall thermostat, especially if you do not want to walk to the fire is doing its temperature settings. With remote control you have several choices, too, you can get the most basic version will only change the fire on and off, or you can go to the most complex version that will allow you to control the flame height and fan speed or a remote control do it automatically, depending at a temperature in the room.

Clean Burn
Combustion with direct vent fireplace is very clean, because it produces heat and operate efficiently when compared with the other design.

Easy Maintenance

Basically, direct vent fireplaces do not require much maintenance. During the operation of this device, you need to clean the glass and also the burner compartment.

This needs to be done periodically. You will find dust, dirt, and other particles in the air that can be attached to the glass surface. Most manufacturers recommend to perform the cleaning at least three times in one period of usage. For this purpose you can use a non-ammonia cleaner and also warm water, there are many specific glass cleaning products available for the fireplace cleaning. Do not clean the glass when in heat and do not use abrasive cleanser.

At least once a year you should clean the burner compartment and standing of the pilot assembly. In principle you need to clean the burn area, including logs and material buckets, then vacuum and wipe the dirt from the area. You should refer to the maintenance manual for the owners of this tool, to ensure the maintenance schedule and instructions

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

A direct vent fireplace makes you feel comfortable with warmth generated by the fireplace without a chimney. Gas fireplaces are zero-clearance, so do not worry about the hot temperatures on its surface. By using air from outside the home, a direct vent fireplace can burn so efficiently without releasing pollutants that are harmful to the surrounding air.

Easy to install
Since the installation of unique style ventilation is very easy, you can put direct vent fireplace exit at the rear of the house or the side wall, vertically through the roof.

Easy to Use

In the use of direct vent fireplace can be made easier with the remote control and wall thermostat, especially if you do not want to walk to the fire is doing its temperature settings. With remote control you have several choices, too, you can get the most basic version will only change the fire on and off, or you can go to the most complex version that will allow you to control the flame height and fan speed or a remote control do it automatically, depending at a temperature in the room.

Clean Burn
Combustion with direct vent fireplace is very clean, because it produces heat and operate efficiently when compared with the other design.

Easy Maintenance

Basically, direct vent fireplaces do not require much maintenance. During the operation of this device, you need to clean the glass and also the burner compartment.

This needs to be done periodically. You will find dust, dirt, and other particles in the air that can be attached to the glass surface. Most manufacturers recommend to perform the cleaning at least three times in one period of usage. For this purpose you can use a non-ammonia cleaner and also warm water, there are many specific glass cleaning products available for the fireplace cleaning. Do not clean the glass when in heat and do not use abrasive cleanser.

At least once a year you should clean the burner compartment and standing of the pilot assembly. In principle you need to clean the burn area, including logs and material buckets, then vacuum and wipe the dirt from the area. You should refer to the maintenance manual for the owners of this tool, to ensure the maintenance schedule and instructions

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

The fire that burns from a heater can affect the warmth atmosphere in a room. As we know, wood burning fireplace requires more maintenance, including the purchase of logs, storage, put it in the fire, ignited the fire, and the task of cleaning up after using the fireplace. Is all the fuss tha happened was commensurate with the benefits we get? Warmth with beautiful light would be very nice the without the headaches jobs. With a vented fireplace this could become a reality.

Vented gas fireplaces can save your time neede to manage and maintain the flame, and of course you do not need to clean the mess ashes. When you want to leave the traditional wood burning firaplaces, then you can consider between vented and ventless fireplace. If you want a real soft yellowish flame, perhaps a vented fireplace is suitable for you. In addition to displaying a realistic flame, this tool can suck the CO gases and flow it away of the room . While ventless gas fireplaces should burn the CO gas, but high temperatures required for combustion, in order to give bluish flame.

The installation of vented fireplace type will need to be done by a professioan person. There are two types of ventilation: first, a direct vent that is not need a chimney, can be placed directly above or behind the fireplace The second type is top vented, similar to chimney of traditional firaplaces lead the smoke out through the roof. You can use the existing chimney that has acquired, or added a new chimney, that is sometimes made of metal or masonry.

There are many fireplace options that can be used as a decoration of the room, but the decision about this is depend on you. If you want a nuanced view of a traditional fireplace, and you do not to be bothered, try starting with a vented gas fireplace.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE

The fire that burns from a heater can affect the warmth atmosphere in a room. As we know, wood burning fireplace requires more maintenance, including the purchase of logs, storage, put it in the fire, ignited the fire, and the task of cleaning up after using the fireplace. Is all the fuss tha happened was commensurate with the benefits we get? Warmth with beautiful light would be very nice the without the headaches jobs. With a vented fireplace this could become a reality.

Vented gas fireplaces can save your time neede to manage and maintain the flame, and of course you do not need to clean the mess ashes. When you want to leave the traditional wood burning firaplaces, then you can consider between vented and ventless fireplace. If you want a real soft yellowish flame, perhaps a vented fireplace is suitable for you. In addition to displaying a realistic flame, this tool can suck the CO gases and flow it away of the room . While ventless gas fireplaces should burn the CO gas, but high temperatures required for combustion, in order to give bluish flame.

The installation of vented fireplace type will need to be done by a professioan person. There are two types of ventilation: first, a direct vent that is not need a chimney, can be placed directly above or behind the fireplace The second type is top vented, similar to chimney of traditional firaplaces lead the smoke out through the roof. You can use the existing chimney that has acquired, or added a new chimney, that is sometimes made of metal or masonry.

There are many fireplace options that can be used as a decoration of the room, but the decision about this is depend on you. If you want a nuanced view of a traditional fireplace, and you do not to be bothered, try starting with a vented gas fireplace.

There are still many questions about the EPA rule on lead paint that takes effect on April 22, 2010.

HVACR contractors with questions should download and read the EPA handbook created for small businesses that perform construction and renovation work, Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right.

Beginning on April 22, new workplace rules will be in effect for renovation or construction projects that disturb more than 6 feet² of painted surface area in a given room (including closets) in a home or building built before 1978.

Contracting companies must apply to EPA to become Certified Firms in order to perform the types of renovations in the buildings described above. The application fee is $300 and the certification is good for 5 years. Each Certified Fairm must have at least one individual who has completed an eight hour training course consisting of 6 hours online and 2 hours of hands on training in order to be a Certified Renovator.

Contractors will be required to educate building owners and occupants, set up project areas for lead safe work practices, avoid prohibited work place activities, adequately remove waste and debris, and verify the clean up.

The rule allows a homeowner or building owner to sign a waiver releasing the contractor from the requirements of the rule. It also exempts homeowners from complying on do-it-yourself projects.

Not every job you work on will require you to comply with these rules.

How To Get Certified

To become a certified firm, a contracting company must first submit an application to the EPA along with a $300 fee. You can download a copy of the application for firm certification at:

• Application for firm certification (PDF) (9 pp, 642K) 


• Example application for a renovation firm (PDF) (2 pp, 299K) 


• Example combination application for a renovator and abatement firm (PDF) (2 pp, 211K)

Certified firms must have at least one employee who holds the renovation certification. The certification process for renovators includes an 8 hour training course offered by an accredited training provider and a practical demonstration of proficiency with minimizing lead dust. Certified renovators responsible for ensuring compliance with the rule and trains and oversees other employees in the work place activities and compliance.

EPA has a list of accredited trainers that can certify renovators at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/trainingproviders.htm. You can also view a calendar of training opportunities at http://www.nchh.org/Training/Calendar/tabid/332/cat/2/Default.aspx.

The rule does include an opt-out provision, under which a homeowner (or building owner) could sign a waiver and release the contractor from meeting the requirements of the rule. The opt-out provision has been challenged by child advocacy groups. A pending review of the rule by EPA and the Office of Management and Budget may remove the opt-out provision.

With our air conditioner ratings, it’s as if you were taking a repairman with you while you shop.

I, like a lot of fathers I suspect, am the AV person at home.  It is my responsibility that all still images and video are properly archived, and retrievable for quick historical reference.  This is a heavy responsibility that I doubt my father had while I was growing up.  I remember watching projected slides of our family outings so there was some burden to bear for my father I’m sure (dad, in case you’re reading this) .  The game has changed since I was a kid, accumulating content is a lot easier than it used to be.

Right after our first child was born we invested in our first video camera.   I chose a refurbished mini dv camera that was a consumer reports best buy.  A reasonable choice at the time but not anything I would recommend to new dads.  One of the biggest challenges I have is transferring this video to the computer.  First,  if you have 60 minutes of video it will take you 60 minutes to transfer it.  This is okay, I guess, but every time I start to transfer video the computer loses connection with the camera.  Maybe it’s because I bought a refurbished camera.  Maybe it’s because I bought a cheap cable.  I’m hoping it is the cable.  I am resisting paying someone to transfer the videos but if I had the money it would be well spent transferring the headache to someone else.  This is something I have to sort out soon because I have about 30 tapes at home that have not been properly archived. To mitigate this issue I recently purchased a portable HD video camera for the primary reasons of:

• Sharing video clips with family scattered around the country
• Capturing short clips
• Ease of transfer to my computer
• Dissect my golf swing  (60 frames per second)

I was pretty happy with the purchase but soon starting questioning my need to record in HD.  This happened right after I saw that a 3 minute video was 500+MB.  I don’t know if I remember exactly what the size was but it was certainly HUGE!  At this rate my 1TB external drive would fill up in no time.  I quickly fell in love with 640×480.  It is a hard sell at home though.   It is hard to convince everyone in the family that even though you can record in 1080, we probably don’t need to.  First,  unless the lighting is spectacular the video quality won’t be that good.  Second,  in our house we have no way of displaying the majesty of HD unless we leave it on the camera.  I currently have no method of delivering archived HD content to our HD TV unless it is piped there from the device that generated it.  This is why when we buy our next laptop it will have HDMI out!

I do think it’s great that we can collect all of these memories in videos and images but is it better than what my parents had when I was a kid?  Will my kids look back as fondly as I do when I think about how we would load up the carousel, gather the family, turnoff the lights, and watch the slide show?

I, like a lot of fathers I suspect, am the AV person at home.  It is my responsibility that all still images and video are properly archived, and retrievable for quick historical reference.  This is a heavy responsibility that I doubt my father had while I was growing up.  I remember watching projected slides of our family outings so there was some burden to bear for my father I’m sure (dad, in case you’re reading this) .  The game has changed since I was a kid, accumulating content is a lot easier than it used to be.

Right after our first child was born we invested in our first video camera.   I chose a refurbished mini dv camera that was a consumer reports best buy.  A reasonable choice at the time but not anything I would recommend to new dads.  One of the biggest challenges I have is transferring this video to the computer.  First,  if you have 60 minutes of video it will take you 60 minutes to transfer it.  This is okay, I guess, but every time I start to transfer video the computer loses connection with the camera.  Maybe it’s because I bought a refurbished camera.  Maybe it’s because I bought a cheap cable.  I’m hoping it is the cable.  I am resisting paying someone to transfer the videos but if I had the money it would be well spent transferring the headache to someone else.  This is something I have to sort out soon because I have about 30 tapes at home that have not been properly archived. To mitigate this issue I recently purchased a portable HD video camera for the primary reasons of:

• Sharing video clips with family scattered around the country
• Capturing short clips
• Ease of transfer to my computer
• Dissect my golf swing  (60 frames per second)

I was pretty happy with the purchase but soon starting questioning my need to record in HD.  This happened right after I saw that a 3 minute video was 500+MB.  I don’t know if I remember exactly what the size was but it was certainly HUGE!  At this rate my 1TB external drive would fill up in no time.  I quickly fell in love with 640×480.  It is a hard sell at home though.   It is hard to convince everyone in the family that even though you can record in 1080, we probably don’t need to.  First,  unless the lighting is spectacular the video quality won’t be that good.  Second,  in our house we have no way of displaying the majesty of HD unless we leave it on the camera.  I currently have no method of delivering archived HD content to our HD TV unless it is piped there from the device that generated it.  This is why when we buy our next laptop it will have HDMI out!

I do think it’s great that we can collect all of these memories in videos and images but is it better than what my parents had when I was a kid?  Will my kids look back as fondly as I do when I think about how we would load up the carousel, gather the family, turnoff the lights, and watch the slide show?

With our combi boiler ratings, it’s as if you were taking a repairman with you while you shop.

With our portable ac ratings, it’s as if you were taking a repairman with you while you shop.

With our portable ac ratings, it’s as if you were taking a repairman with you while you shop.

Glen J., AAA Heating & Air Conditioning Senior Technician

Q:  We recently moved into a newly built house and noticed that our furnace turns on and off frequently.  It will quickly get the house to the temperature we want it and shut off, but then turn back on again shortly afterward to start heating again.  Is this something we should be concerned about?  — Samuel Z., Maple Valley

A. It is possible that the furnace the builder put in the house is improperly sized.  Quite surprisingly, many homes, both new and old, have furnaces that are too large or too small for the space.  If the furnace is too small, it will run constantly because it is trying to keep up with the demands for heat that are put on it.  However, if a furnace is too large, it heats the home quickly and then shuts off quickly.  Because it is an inconsistent heat, the temperature falls soon, and the furnace is forced to come back on briefly to put out more heat.  It sounds like that could possibly be the problem at your home.  I would recommend scheduling a service technician to perform a full diagnostic on your furnace to determine if that truly is the cause or if there is more to the issue.  I would be happy to come out and take a look at it for you.  Just call our Kent Heating and Air Conditioning office at 253-630-9224 and they can set up an appointment for you.

If you have a question for Glen, our knowledgeable Senior Technician, submit it using our communication form and you might just be featured on our blog!

Glen J., AAA Heating & Air Conditioning Senior Technician

Q:  We recently moved into a newly built house and noticed that our furnace turns on and off frequently.  It will quickly get the house to the temperature we want it and shut off, but then turn back on again shortly afterward to start heating again.  Is this something we should be concerned about?  — Samuel Z., Maple Valley

A. It is possible that the furnace the builder put in the house is improperly sized.  Quite surprisingly, many homes, both new and old, have furnaces that are too large or too small for the space.  If the furnace is too small, it will run constantly because it is trying to keep up with the demands for heat that are put on it.  However, if a furnace is too large, it heats the home quickly and then shuts off quickly.  Because it is an inconsistent heat, the temperature falls soon, and the furnace is forced to come back on briefly to put out more heat.  It sounds like that could possibly be the problem at your home.  I would recommend scheduling a service technician to perform a full diagnostic on your furnace to determine if that truly is the cause or if there is more to the issue.  I would be happy to come out and take a look at it for you.  Just call our Kent Heating and Air Conditioning office at 253-630-9224 and they can set up an appointment for you.

If you have a question for Glen, our knowledgeable Senior Technician, submit it using our communication form and you might just be featured on our blog!

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Burning fireplace with wood burning sound of crackling, will provide an exotic atmosphere in your home. In addition to beautiful, this is also a source of heat and a great heater. In order for the heat generated quickly spread throughout the room, you need to add a fireplace blower. Do you know how this device works and spread the heat in your house?

How a fireplace blower
A fireplace has a problem of how to warm the room quickly. Heat generated by your fireplace, spread very slowly and often concentrated in a small area around it. The proper way to handle it is to blow warm air into the room. That is what will be done by your blower. Place this unit in front of the fire that burns, so it could blow air effectively. If you want the heat spread into another room also, put a blower in the doorway to assist the transfer of warm air.

Effectiveness of fireplace blowers
This unit works distribute the heat only. It will not impact on your fireplace. What is clear, by using it you can get the maximum benefit from a fireplace. Heating costs will become more efficient.

Installing a fireplace blower
Typically, a blower installed along with the construction of the fireplace. But that does not mean you can not add it later. Provided you have a source close to the fireplace to electric power, is not very difficult. Suffice it to spend a little extra cost, you can install it yourself after reading the manufacturers instructions. If not, many service providers are willing to help install your blower.

There are various models and types of fireplace blowers is offered with affordable prices. In addition to the nearest shops, you can find a blower you want to flip through the Internet. Soon found that match your needs.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 No matter wherever we go and wherever we move throughout the day, the house remains irreplaceable. We always wanted to go home. When feeling tired or wanted to rest, there’s no more beautiful thing in our imagination but relax at home. The house was always making us feel relax and comfortable. Anyway the house is everything.
With a picture like that, certainly we are always trying to make our homes attractive and beautiful. We will not be bored to discuss how to make the home more special and perfect. Well, one of the main ideas are always interesting is to put a fireplace in the family room or living room. Moreover, if we put a log rack beside it. It’s really a charming appearance. If you’ve seen the interior of the old houses, both in the neighborhood or in the movies people watch, would know how it was amazing.
Well, have a fireplace in the house is all of us desire. The problem is, not everyone can make it happen. Most modern houses do not have enough room to put a fireplace. Finally, some people choose to forget the idea and use the modern heating equipment.

Actually, there is another way to continue to enjoy the sensation of a fireplace in the house. Have you ever thought to put a fireplace in the corner of the room? This idea emerged as a solution to overcome the limitations of the room. The problem of a fireplace is not only about the layout, but also how to adjust the place for a variety of home furnishings. By using a corner fireplace, you do not have to lose the elegance of a fireplace.

Do not worry it will confuse your interior. To beautify the interior, you can add a variety of accessories and furniture, even a log rack nearby. In addition, if there are children in the house, corner fireplace we can still enjoy the warmth of a fireplace safely. Please try it.