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Introduction

MERV is an abbreviation for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. In 1987, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers created a measurement technique. The MERV scale denotes a filter’s lowest theoretical effectiveness in eliminating pollutants with sizes ranging from 0.3 to 10 microns. 

The MERV rating of your filter indicates how well it captures small particles that you don’t want to flow through your house on a range of 1-16. Before buying higher-efficiency air filters, remember that bigger isn’t always better. Higher MERV-rated filters often remove more harmful particles from your home, but they may lower the air quality.

About MERV Filter and Ratings

Furnace filters are among the most often mentioned furnace parts. Furnace filters trap dust, pollen, and other particles in the air before something reaches your furnace’s compressor fan. As a result, the air quality in your house improves by preventing particles from recirculating in the airflow. Filters utilize the MERV rating system to assess resistance. 

To summarize, the greater the MERV value, the more effective the filter. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) and is an industry-standard for determining the overall performance of filtration systems. The higher the MERV rating, the finer the filtration. Finer filtration reduces the number of air pollutants and dust particles that can pass through the filter.

A MERV rating is essential because it helps you assess an air filter’s effectiveness and choose the best one for your individual needs. Filters with MERV ratings of 8-12 are usually higher-end filters for usage in the home or office. MERV 13 air filters are indicated for persons who value air quality and may have severe sensitivities, asthma, or other comparable conditions. MERV values greater than 16 are frequently used in specialized business settings, such as hospitals, where air filtration is critical.

Does a High-MERV Filter Restrict Airflow?

In general, a higher MERV grade filter will limit airflow. However, many other elements, including the size of the filtration system and the kind of air compressor in your HVAC system, come into play. Using filters also creates barriers that can reduce airflow.MERV is an abbreviation for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. A MERV Rating for home air filters ranges from 1 to 16, while commercial air filters range from 17 to 20. 

The scale measures how well a filter eliminates tiny particles from entering the air. The more particles the filter removes, the higher the MERV rating. The MERV rating influences airflow indirectly. Airflow is also essential for a pleasant house. Higher MERV filters will often have less airflow. Airflow will come up frequently when investigating HVAC systems. This is because it is critical to the operation and lifespan of your furnace or air handler.

The air purifier’s thickness significantly impacts the amount of airflow that passes via your HVAC system. This is mostly because filtering with a broad face area reduces pressure drops. If your furnace’s MERV grade is too high, this could require it to work extremely hard, leaving it prone to harm. Furthermore, you may not obtain the air velocity necessary to reach all corners of your home, resulting in temperature fluctuations.

Conclusion

High-efficiency air filters’ density slows air accessing your HVAC system. This process overloads the motor and frequently decreases its ability to perform. If your machine is older and/or particularly sensitive to airflow, consider a MERV 1 to 6 filter. A MERV 8 air filter will do the job if you want your airflow to be cleansed and manage dust, fungus, allergens, and germs. You can consider MERV 13 HVAC filters if you want more cleansed air. You can always look for amazing filters from Custom Filters Direct.