It is very easy to understand that the higher the MERV rating of an air conditioner filter, the more protection you, your loved ones, and your AC system will get. This is simply because higher-rated filters will help rid the air of micro-particles that are guilty of carrying allergens, bacteria, and viruses into your home. A good filterking.com/air-filter/merv-8 air filter functions pretty much like the masks people had to wear during the height of the pandemic: the higher the quality of the mask, the more protection it offers.
What is MERV, and why is it important?
MERV, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, is a measure that indicates a filter’s ability to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns (µm). It is a standard measure that is used internationally and helps when you want to compare how different types of filters perform. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) developed this rating from a testing method they created. MERV rates all filters according to how good a job they do in trapping certain types of particles found in the air. The ratings go from 1 to 16, with the higher the number, the greater the filter’s ability to contain even the smallest of particles.
Will a MERV 8 air filter do a good job in protecting the health of my family?
Filters with a MERV 8 rating are considered to offer the best airflow among all pleated AC air filters. Their construction allows them to be able to capture and trap most lint, pollen, dust, debris, dust mites, pet dander, and other frequent particles in people’s homes.
A filter with a MERV 8 rating is up to 20 times more effective at catching all these particles than a fiberglass filter, which is fine for areas that have very little human activity. However, just because you have installed a brand-new MERV 8 filter, it does not mean you can forget about the subject. On the contrary, now is when you should make it a point to check your AC’s air filter every one or two months to make sure they are not clogged up with dirt and need to be replaced. It is recommended you do preventive maintenance and routinely changes your filters without waiting until they are so clogged up that you risk a breakdown of your entire system.
Check the Filter You Have Now
If you are in the habit of simply replacing your air filter with another one just like it without knowing what MERV rating you are buying, you know that it will do very little when it comes to giving you cleaner air. They will stop large particles, but everything else will have an open door into your system and your home. This is something that you want to avoid, particularly if anyone in your home suffers from respiratory illnesses.
Don’t wait until the filter you have now gets so clogged up that you risk the integrity of your entire HVAC system and when you do get a new one, consider the health benefits a MERV 8 air filter will give you and your family.
