Happy Halloween!
With the witching hour approaching I wanted to get the the remainder of the Air Filter article posted earlier this month.
Bigger Is Not Always Better – follows with a higher MERV number is not always better. Especially if you don’t take into consideration the requirements of your complete air conditioning system. We wrote an article on Facebook about Bigger is Not Always Better – and just like that is not the complete truth of the matter, having a higher MERV rated air filter may do you more harm that good. Yes it removes smaller particles from your air, and yet in the same token it make cause too much air flow restriction for your air conditioning system to a point it can cause a fan motor failure. So you see, it is very important that before you decide on a higher MERV rated air filter, you consult your friendly neighborhood Wallen AC technician to make sure you select the filter designed to work with your home or business air conditioning system.
The Truth About MERV
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) that can be more easily expressed as, “how effective is your air filter?” We stated previously that the MERV ratings run between 1-16. The higher the MERV rating on a filter, the smaller the particles and other contaminants have to be in order to pass through it. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) designed the MERV scale to represent a filter’s worst possible performance at removing particles .3 to 10 microns in size (that’s like really small!).
Some of the more common particles the filters are tested for include pollen, dust mites, textile and carpet fibers, mold spores, dust, pet dander, bacteria and tobacco smoke. Most whole house systems can effectually remove airborne contaminants with a filter rated MERV 7-12. The next level air filtration is at a MERV 13-16 rating; this level is typically found in hospital and general surgery settings.
Higher Is Not Better
You might think that higher is better. Well the truth of the matter is that a higher MERV rating is not automatically better… The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the pores are for air to flow through an air filter. This can create more resistance over time as the higher rated MERV air filter collects more contaminants and therefore reduces the airflow below a level that your system is designed to operate within, thus making it, your system inefficient. So you see that if you do not select the proper MERV rated filter the air flow in your system can actually worsen the air quality in your home creating an environment where the amount of pressure on the fan of HVAC system can cause damage or reduce the life of your system. Know this makes it worth doing some research. Find out what the highest MERV rated filter is that still allows for maximum airflow in your system.
Change Filters Often
Filters with higher MERV ratings need to be changed more frequently (at least every three months) to avoid restricted airflow that can cause your system to work inefficiently or possibly even damage it. Many air filter manufacturers say that you can go anywhere from three to six months – this is based on a model home environment. If you have a very very moderate traffic in your home, the manufacturer recommendations are probably just fine. If you have high traffic, with children in and out, or you entertain frequently, then you will want to change your home air filters once every month or two. For the cost of a simple air filter change, you will save thousands of dollars on the life of your equipment.
If you discovered that your MERV filters are a custom size, which makes them about three times more expensive than standard-size filters you can buy at big box stores. When you’re changing filters four to six times a year, that really adds up. So if you’re working with a builder to design a system, keep that in mind. As has happened so many times in our home-building journey, one will eventually discover that you don’t even know what you don’t know! By figuring out what that MERV rating is on your filter and that it matches the recommendations of your AC manufacturer, it will literally help you breathe a little easier.
Contact your friendly neighborhood Wallen AC Service Representative for your whole house air cleaner solution at 561-684-5555.
We can provide you with a years worth of custom ordered filters sent or delivered to your home. Want or need filters? Call Sales at 562-684-5555 and use promo code MERV17 to get 10 percent off of your first years worth of filters ordered.
Wallen AC is a licensed and insured 3rd generation family owned and operated Air Conditioning & Heating Company that’s been serving Southern Florida since 1969. Call 561-684-5555 to schedule your service, repair, or new equipment installation. Outside our normal hours of business, we provide 24 hours 7 days a week emergency service. Tell them Richard sent you.