When it comes to choosing the right air filter for your home, it's essential to understand the MERV rating system. According to ASHRAE, the best rating for residential HVAC systems is MERV 13. However, before you upgrade your filter, make sure that your specific system can handle that classification. A higher MERV rating often means lower airflow, which can cause the system to work harder and consume more energy.
That said, while the MERV rating you need is based on your needs, we recommend a MERV rating of 9 to 12 for your home. This is usually the most ideal for residential purposes. Filters with these ratings are perfect for year-round use. You can also consult the owner's manual for your air conditioning system to determine the appropriate MERV rating for your system. The higher the MERV rating, the greater the excess pressure or air resistance that the filter could generate in the air conditioning system.
ASHRAE standard 52.2 describes methods and procedures for evaluating the performance of air filters based on particle size. Every time you use the air conditioner or boiler, the air filter will become dirty as dust and particles flow through the system and accumulate in the filter. However, this depends on the MERV rating you choose for your home, along with a couple of other factors. The following table shows the different MERV classifications and their typical uses, as well as the typical material and shape of which they are made. Most air filters that can remove common allergens have the word “allergy” or “allergen” on their packaging. Just choose the size of the air filter, choose how often you want to change it, and we'll make sure your new filter is there when you need it.
MERV 10 - MERV 12 air filters can trap particles as small as 1 micron, such as car exhaust, pollen, and mold spores. Factors such as the amount of airflow your system requires, whether you have pets, and whether a member of your family has serious allergies will determine the MERV rating you'll need. The MERV rating system is designed to determine the filter's ability to remove particulate matter fromthe air. The best MERV rating for your home will depend on what you want to filter and how much air flow your air conditioning system needs to work.
These scales have different ranges than those in the MERV classification, but they are usually measured based on similar factors. Although the classification does not exceed MERV 16, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters trap the smallest particles at a speed even higher than that of MERV 16 and are generally used in surgical operating rooms, clean rooms, and other contexts that require absolute cleaning. In conclusion, when selecting an air filter for your home it is important to consider all factors such as size of particles you want to remove from your home's air, amount of airflow required by your HVAC system and any allergies or sensitivities in your family. The best way to determine what type of filter you need is to consult with an expert who can help you find a filter that meets all of these criteria.
