
What Is MERV?
Every other month or so, you should change the air filter in your home air conditioning and heating system to help protect the air you breathe. The air filter traps particles that would otherwise continue to circulate through your home. And it protects your air conditioning and heating unit from damage. If large particles were to enter the unit, they may damage the equipment. In fact, this is the reason the air filter was originally added into forced air systems, which means its primary purpose was not for air purification but as a safeguard against costly damages.
You must change the filter every couple of months so that your AC and heating unit does not run into trouble if the airflow is insufficient. When you do, try to locate the MERV of the new filter you’ve selected. The MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) is a number 1 through 16 which represents how effective that filter is at improving the indoor air quality. A higher number means the filter will remove more and smaller particles.
The MERV of your standard home filter is anywhere between one and six. This may not remove some of the most common contaminants known to cause allergies, such as pollen and mold spores. A higher MERV should keep your air cleaner, but this isn’t always the case. If the MERV is too high, there may not be enough airflow to your HVAC system, and it can suffer from a number of common issues like short cycling. You may want to consult with a technician to find the level of filtration that works best.
Air purification systems may also be rated using the MERV scale if they contain filters. Ask your HVAC technician whether an electronic air filtration system is right for you. It often works in coordination with your home HVAC unit so that every portion of your home is protected.
Goettl Good Guys Air Conditioning gives you access to indoor air quality experts with years of experience installing and servicing indoor air quality needs. Call now!