How to Choose the Right MERV Rating for Your Air Filter

The MERV scale is a standard measure of a filter's ability to remove particulate matter from your home air. The MERV rating scale ranges from 1 to 20, and lower ratings indicate a lower quality filter. Generally speaking, our recommended MERV rating for oven filters ranges from 6 to 8 to achieve a perfect balance between maximum oven efficiency and home comfort. Minimum Efficiency Report Values, or MERV, indicate the ability of a filter to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns (µm).

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Or in other words, “How effective is your air filter?”. Ultimately, the ideal MERV classification will be determined by the particles you want to filter and the capacity of your air conditioning system. It's best to comply with the furnace manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system.

Unfortunately, MERV ratings 1 to 4 are not recommended for homes due to insufficient filtration. For example, a better MERV rating doesn't always mean that a filter is the best option for your oven. Choosing the right oven filter is about balancing indoor air quality with the capabilities of your air conditioning system. However, if you want to save money on your energy bills, the ideal would be a filter with a MERV rating lower than 7.Depending on where you live, the size of your home, and if you have pets, you may need to replace the air filter once, twice, or three times a month.

In addition, the MERV rating scale also includes percentages based on the likelihood that an air filter will trap air pollutants in terms of particle size. Although ASHRAE recommends MERV 13 and 14 values, it's best to select a filter with the highest possible MERV rating for your specific air conditioning system. The MERV rating of 9 to 12 is sufficient to capture particles smaller than 1 micron and no larger than 3 microns. Some recommend a MERV rating of 9 to 12 for a building's air conditioning system, as it can reduce the spread of COVID-19 particles.

Air Engineers Service Experts is your local Jacksonville HVAC expert and helps you make informed decisions for your home. Before you buy a new oven filter, be sure to check if your air conditioning system has a MERV rating limit. If your family has allergy problems or serious respiratory problems, such as asthma, you may want to invest in filters with higher MERV ratings. If you're wondering what MERV classification you need, we'll discuss what classification you should use in this section.

Although MERV 8 is known to be effective at filtering contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores, and lint from the air, a higher MERV rating will clean the air even more efficiently. When selecting an air filter for your home or business, it's important to consider both the size of the particles you want to remove and the capacity of your air conditioning system. To ensure that you get the most out of your air filter purchase, it's important to understand what each MERV rating means and how it can affect your indoor air quality. The higher the MERV rating on an air filter, the more efficient it will be at trapping airborne particles such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander and mold spores.

A higher MERV rating also means that more frequent filter changes are necessary in order to maintain optimal performance levels. To ensure that you get the most out of your air filter purchase, it's important to understand what each MERV rating means and how it can affect your indoor air quality.