Understanding MERV Ratings for HVAC Filters

Have you ever wondered if there was a scale that could tell you the air quality of your house and how efficiently your filters are working? Well, fortunately, there is! MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is a scale that tells you the effectiveness of your filters in trapping dust particles and keeping your home’s atmosphere clean.

At General Heating & Air Conditioning, we specialize in improving comfort for homeowners, from heating and cooling to air quality. Let’s take a quick look at the basic things to know about MERV ratings!

What Is a MERV Rating?

Minimum efficiency reporting values are a way to determine your filter’s ability to trap particles ranging in size from 0.3 and 10 microns.

MERV rating is based on a scale of 1-20. This value helps you identify the performance of your filters and compare it with the others. A higher MERV rating indicates a better-performing filter.

What’s the Best MERV Rating for HVAC Filters?

You might think that the higher the MERV rating, the better the filters. While that is true, other factors come into play. Usually, the MERV rating for residential HVAC systems is MERV 13.

As you go higher up on the MERV rating scale, make sure you understand your system's requirements and limits.

The higher up you go on the MERV rating scale, the lower the airflow will be. This can make your system use more energy to do its job, causing a spike in your electric bills.

How Do I Know What MERV Filter to Use?

For residential HVAC systems, the MERV filters generally used are below 16.

The MERV filters with a higher rating than 16 are used for hospital settings, which require extreme cleanliness. Depending on the requirement of your setting, you may be able to determine the MERV rating of the filter you should use.

What MERV Can My Furnace Handle?

For residential furnaces, a safe MERV rating value for filter systems would be 13.

Any value of filters higher than 13 should not be used in residential furnaces. Such filters with ratings higher than 13 are used in commercial furnaces.

Trust Us With All Your Air Quality Needs

HVAC filters have become a necessity in every household these days. With pollution on the rise, clean air is essential to prevent allergies and respiratory issues in homes and commercial buildings. HVAC systems with high MERV ratings can help achieve a clean, pollution-free environment.

MERV ratings determine the efficiency of these filters, and the higher the MERV rating that these filters have, the better they will perform. At General Heating & Air Conditioning, we can provide affordable air filters with a high MERV rating. Contact us at 952-445-2820 to consult with our expert team.