When it comes to air filters, the MERV rating is an important factor to consider. The MERV rating is the minimum efficiency report value for air conditioning furnace filter media as determined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). This rating system is designed to determine the filter's ability to remove particles from the air. A home without pets, smoke, or allergies will work well with a MERV value of 1-7.If you have pets or someone in your household has significant allergy problems, you may want to consider a higher MERV value, between 8 and 10. Homes with smokers or a wood burning fireplace should have a filter on the MERV 11-13. ASHRAE recommends MERV 6 or higher, while the U.
S. Department of Energy recommends MERV 13 and LEED recommends MERV 8 as a minimum. A MERV rating of 13 to 16 is considered hospital-level air quality, so it's unlikely that your home will need more than that. The table below shows the different merv classifications and their typical uses, as well as the typical material and shape from which they are made. However, a high MERV rating on an air filter generally means that the filter is thicker and your HVAC system will have to work harder to circulate air throughout the house.
Sometimes particles such as pollen, pet dander, and fine dust can sneak through the filter unless you get one with a higher MERV rating. It's best to comply with oven manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system. The U. Environmental Protection Agency states that filters in the 7-13 range often have little difference with higher MERV ratings, but will allow your system to operate much more efficiently. With the Filter King filter selection tool, you can mark exactly the size, thickness and MERV rating you're looking for.
Filter technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, and MERV ratings are designed to help us determine the most effective and efficient air filter options for heating and cooling systems and more. In contrast, a high MERV rating indicates that the filter does a good job of removing particles from the air. Regardless of whether that question comes to mind or not, the other likely question is what does the MERV rating that is in the filter mean and what it does.
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