The Significance Of MERV Rating When Shopping Around For An Air Filter

It’s your joy to breathe high-quality air, right? Well, human activities are affecting the quality of the air you breathe. Fumes from industries can reduce the quality of air. Also, fumes from automobiles can contaminate the air.

Still more, dust can mess up the air you breathe. That’s why you need to purify the air.

Choose high-performance air filters. Check the MERV rating. Understand the FPR vs MERV. The following guide will help you understand MERV ratings and how they affect the air you breathe.

MERV Values

The MERV ratings indicate how efficient an air filtration system is. Every space has different filtration requirements. The MERV rating determines the number of particles that’ll be removed from the circulating air.

Smaller MERV values indicate a filter’s ability to trap larger particles (0.3 to 10 microns). The greater the value, the more effective the filter is at capturing smaller particles.

MERV ratings typically range between 1 and 20. However, levels 17 to 20 are commonly utilized in hospitals, as well as, other stringent settings. So, you’ll always have the option to choose a filter that falls within the range of 1 to 16.

HEPA Filtration

High-efficiency particulate air or HEPA, filters have a MERV rating of 16 and above. These pleated filters are uniquely designed to trap 99.97 percent of dust, pet dander, pollen, as well as, other harmful particles.

They’re also referred to as hospital-grade air filters.

Most people don’t utilize such filtration systems in their homes.

And this is because using HEPA filters on the wrong system can compromise performance. They can completely damage your equipment. Advanced engineering technologies are required to make standard AC units HEPA-compatible.

Whereas some people might have a medical requirement for HEPA filers, the vast majority of homeowners and entrepreneurs don’t need them.

Regular Maintenance

The main function of an air filter is to trap allergens. As it does this, some particulate matter adheres to it, and over time, it’ll become clogged. A dirty filter can negatively affect the performance of your HVAC system.

Utilizing an air filter with an extremely high MERV rating can damage your equipment. A sharp decrease in pressure can prevent efficient airflow and cause your system to freeze or overheat.

In high-traffic commercial settings, you should consider replacing your filters every 90 days. Examine your HVAC system regularly to see if there’s any debris accumulation.

Benefits

Filters with greater MERV values can significantly improve your air quality. With the right filters, your family’s health will be fully protected. Health conditions such as asthma, allergies, respiratory disease, and lung issues will be kept at bay.

They can also assist in preventing mold growth, which could damage your walls and ceilings. These filters can also reduce your energy bills.

Final Thoughts

Don’t be quick to buy any air filters. Different filters feature different MERV ratings. Depending on your filtration needs, you can always find an ideal MERV value. The above guide provides in-depth information about filters and their MERV ratings.