Whether you like it or not, the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered anxiety in each of us. Even at home, you are not spared. The air we breathe and the common points we touch play a huge role in the transmission of the virus.
Do you know that the air you breathe can be cleaned up to .3 microns? This filtering standard can keep your anxiety away as you enjoy each breath at home.
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We provide verified facts on MERV Filter ratings and the best MERV Filter based on your home needs. Through this, we can build a society that has a concern for the environment and their health one household at a time.
MERV Filter News: Choosing the Best MERV Filter at Home
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Have you been anywhere inside commercial spaces and wondered how air circulation works so that you won’t get exposed to viruses and bacteria? That’s the job of an air filter.
At home, there are types of air filters you can use that are specifically designed for your home needs. Before adding one to your cart, make sure you have your HVAC system’s manual so as not to get overwhelmed with hundreds of sizes available. Each type of filter is also unique. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers or ASHRAE, air filters provide you with the best protection from allergens, dust, pet dander, pollen, smoke, and microorganisms. They are rated based on their minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV rating. To keep things simple, the MERV filter rating determines a filter’s capability of arresting airborne pollutants that are commonly not visible to the naked eye.
MERV 1 is the least efficient while MERV 20, being the highest, is extremely efficient. Some retailers guide their consumers using their filter performance rating (FPR) when measuring an air filter’s ability to capture small to large particles. Others use microparticle performance rating (MPR) which measures the air filter’s efficiency when capturing the tiniest particles.
Usually, any filter which is rated MERV 1-5 has a below-minimum FPR and MPR. While a MERV 14-20, has an above-maximum FPR and an MPR of about 1900+. This means, the higher you go; the better its particle arresting.
Identifying the MERV Rating you need for Better Air Quality
A MERV 1-4 is flat and not pleated. It’s almost see-through. Technically, it does very little when trapping airborne particles. Yet it does the job as long as it is anything bigger than 10 microns like dust mites, pollen, and small fibers. The upside, it is probably the cheapest. A MERV 5-8 is commonly used for residential spaces since it offers medium-quality filtration. It could trap smaller particles than its predecessor like mold spores, pet dander, and tinier dust mites.
A MERV 9-12 is best for residential spaces whose occupants are highly sensitive to allergy and asthma triggers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finds this quite similar to true high-efficiency particulate absorption or HEPA filters. The highest and probably the pinnacle of all air filters are MERV 13-20. However, these are commonly used in Hospitals and Laboratories. It can trap airborne viruses, bacteria as well as carbon dust.
Frankly speaking, always choosing the highest MERV rating isn’t always the best decision. Because not all HVAC systems are equipped to accommodate a very efficient air or furnace filter. If you place a filter that is more than its capacity to accommodate, it would force your HVAC system to work harder. When choosing the best option for your air filter, always consider your needs so you can provide the best indoor air quality for your family and safeguard them from allergens, viruses, and bacteria. Always go for the best, when deciding for your loved ones because nothing is beyond comparison when it comes to your family’s protection.