If you have been experiencing problems with your indoor air quality or just don’t know what kind of air filter is best for your home, understanding what MERV is and how it impacts your home will help you solve these problems.
MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is the rating assigned to air filters. It indicates how effective they are at removing particles from your air as it passes through your air system. It is commonly found on the bright yellow EnergyGuide label and helps consumers pick the right filter for their needs.
MERV is measured using a controlled test where air with a pre-determined amount of particles of various sizes is sent through the filter. A laser particle counter measures the amount of particles before and after the air gets filtered, and the difference is compared to a MERV Parameters chart to determine the exact rating.
Too low of a MERV means your air quality will not be as great as it could be. In fact, filters with MERV 1-4 are typically just meant to protect your HVAC equipment from large particles that could damage it. MERV 5-8 will be significantly better than these but still aren’t ideal for your home if you are looking for the best results.
MERV 9-12 filters are ideal for your home as they will be able to catch a very high percentage of the contaminants that enter your air system. You can even add an extra boost by using them in tandem with a UV lamp, a tool designed to kill microorganisms like fungi and viruses.
Replacing your filters regularly is important to get the best performance from them. If gone ignored for too long, the debris they are catching will form a thick screen and make it difficult for air to pass through. This requires your HVAC system to use more energy and drives up operating costs.
For more information about choosing the right air filter, contact Marsh Heating & Air Conditioningtoday. We serve the Twin Cities Metro area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
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