Before air enters the heating and cooling portion of the HVAC system in homes in Oak Harbor, Washington, it passes through an air filter. Some people think that the only difference between air filters is in their size. Choose the correct size, they think, and there’s nothing left to consider.
However, there is a wide range of filters that differ based on their MERV rating, giving home owners far more to choose from than just the size of the filter.
What is a MERV rating?
Every air filter is assigned a MERV rating. The acronym MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. While this sounds complicated, one can think of it simply as a measure of how much particulate matter that a filter can capture in its fibers.
Filters that are tightly woven and can catch a wide variety of particles have a higher MERV rating, while filters that are less dense have a lower MERV rating. Home owners can find the MERV rating on any filter by checking the package, when purchasing it in the store. Typically, filters with a higher MERV rating are more expensive, given their more advanced construction.
Putting MERV ratings into perspective
The lowest MERV ratings are reserved for blue fiberglass filters that use to be most people’s only option
MERV ratings range from 1 to 20. The lowest MERV ratings are reserved for blue fiberglass filters that use to be most people’s only option. Although these filters do capture some larger dust particles, the gaps between the fibers allow a lot of dust to get through, which can negatively affect the performance of the HVAC system and release large amounts of dust into homes.
On the other end of the spectrum are the filters with a MERV rating of between 17 and 20. Typically, these ratings are reserved for HEPA filters. Although Island Heating & Air Conditioning sometimes install HEPA filters in whole-home air purifiers, most filters that are this dense are reserved for medical use.
For most home owners, a MERV rating somewhere between 6 and 13 will provide the protection they need, while also offering affordability for residential use. The type of filter home owners choose will largely depend on what they want their filter to remove from the air. If the home is full of allergy-sufferers, for example, it may be beneficial to use a filter with a higher MERV rating. If home owners simply want to provide protection for their HVAC systems, a lower MERV rating will suffice.
Airflow versus air filter effectiveness
Some people like to do whatever they can to keep their home as clean and healthy as possible. Toward this end, they select a filter with a high MERV rating, so as to ensure it catches as many contaminants as possible. When choosing a filter that’s high on the MERV scale, however, there are trade-offs to consider.
The main trade-off is that, due to the fibers in the filter being more tightly wound, the HVAC system will have to work harder to pull in the air, when using a filter with a high MERV rating. While this is an acceptable trade-off, if it means fewer allergy symptoms, this extra work will also mean a higher utility bill and more wear and tear on the HVAC system. Therefore, if the main goal is energy-efficiency, it’s perfectly fine to use a filter with a lower MERV rating, as these filters won’t restrict the airflow nearly as much.
Technical expertise on which air filter to choose
The best way to choose the right filter is to have the HVAC system analyzed by Island Heating & Air Conditioning
The best way to choose the right filter is to have the HVAC system analyzed by Island Heating & Air Conditioning. A technician will take a look at the blower motor to determine the types of filters that it can handle efficiently.
If already found the perfect air filter, Island Heating & Air Conditioning can also take care of any maintenance, repair, and installation needs for the air conditioner and furnace. They also install programmable thermostats, mini-split systems, and a variety of other products.
Island Heating & Air Conditioning
In business for over 35 years, the caring professionals of Island Heating & Air Conditioning work hard to serve the community of Oak Harbor. This long-term commitment to professionalism has earned the company an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Island Heating & Air Conditioning also back all of their services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Their greatest affirmations come from the customers’ glowing reviews of their technicians and the company as a whole.
