When it comes to choosing the right air filter for your home, it's important to understand the MERV rating system. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is used to measure the effectiveness of an air filter in trapping particles and contaminants. A MERV rating of 1 to 7 is suitable for homes without pets, smoke, or allergies. If you have pets or someone in your household has significant allergy problems, you may want to consider a filter with a MERV rating of 8 to 10. For homes with smokers or a wood fireplace, a filter with a MERV rating of 11 to 13 is recommended.
The MERV 6 filter may seem low on the scale, but it is more than capable of preventing harmful contaminants and allergens from entering your home. It is also quite affordable, making it the ideal choice for customers who want good indoor air quality without breaking the bank. A filter with a MERV rating of between 1 and 6 can remove particles between 0.3 and 10 microns with an efficiency of 20%. This includes small particles such as dust mites, spray paint dust, carpet fibers, and pollen. Our recommended MERV rating for furnace filters ranges from 6 to 8, providing an excellent balance between maximum furnace efficiency and home comfort.
Filters with a MERV rating of 8 to 13 are usually high-end filters for domestic use or high-quality commercial filters. The Microparticle Performance Rating (MPR) system is also used to measure the effectiveness of a filter in trapping small particles on the MERV scale (0.3 to 1 micron in size). This system ranges from 300 to 2200. It's important to remember that having filters with the right MERV ratings is essential to ensure that the air is well filtered without overloading the air conditioning system. If your system can't meet the MERV ratings you need, there are other options available to improve indoor air quality.
Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than that recommended by the boiler or air conditioner manufacturer may affect its performance. When choosing an air filter, it's important to remember that a higher MERV rating doesn't always mean that it's the best choice for your boiler. If your family has allergy problems or serious respiratory problems, such as asthma, you may want to invest in filters with a higher MERV rating.
