Air quality is one of the things most people take for granted, yet it’s an important component of a home’s general cleanliness. Maintaining quality air free from dander, dust, and other small particles helps with respiratory issues and allergies. Not to mention, it results in a healthier and cleaner environment.
Your HVAC system plays an important role in this. An experienced and reliable HVAC system provider can discuss the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) of your system and the role it plays in providing quality air.
What MERV Rating Is
MERV measures the filtration ability of an air filter. The rating range from 1 to 20 to compare the filters’ performance.
There is a great difference when it comes to MERV ratings. It will be best to research before you decide when to get a new air filter.
How MERV Rating Works
An air filter with a high MERV rating may get rid of smaller particles. Those with a rating between 1 and 4 capture less than 22% of large particles with a diameter of 3 or 10 microns. These particles may include paint, moss, pet hair, human hair, clothing fibers, pollen, and dust. Air filters with this kind of rating are washable. That means you have nothing to worry about paying for any replacement.
Air filters with MERV ratings of 5 are normally made of fiberglass material and may trap dust mites as well as other bigger particles. They are not expensive, but you will have to replace them after one month to keep your system working efficiently.
A whole-home air purifier and an air cleaner normally have a rating between 10 and 16. Professionals install this kind of air filter to supplement the existing filters. These kinds of filters catch many small particles and some viruses.
Hospitals, as well as rooms often used to repair or assemble sophisticated electronics, at times use air filters with a higher rating, which is capable of removing tiny particles from the air. But they are more costly than other air filter options.
What Rating Do You Need?
There are more than 20 levels of ratings that can be divided further into groups. With this, you will have a good idea of every use and how all of them will be. Aspects like the airflow amounts your system requires and if you own pets may determine the right rating.
Importance of MERV Rating
High-efficiency units, such as MERV filters may help you keep your business or home healthy and clean. Trapping particles in your air filter helps to keep the air clean. Plus, air filters with a high MERV rating will help to improve your system’s efficiency by preventing clogs as well as minimizing the amount of debris and dust that accumulates.
The Bottom Line!
It is imperative to consider MERV ratings when choosing air filters for your home or business establishments. The ratings normally indicate the worst performance when a product is met with some microscopic impurities.
A low rating is unwanted because they are not ideal to clean the air. And air filters with a high rating are unsuitable as they may result in adverse effects on an incompatible system. But mid-range air filters do great for many homes.
