I'm trying to decide what good/sufficient merv rating to buy to save a few bucks without sacrificing on air quality. Higher Is Not Always Better. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. For comparison a human red blood cell is about 5 microns across, your hair is about 75 microns in diameter. The only caveat is if you live someplace super dusty. Thought about bumping up to a higher level, but there isn't really any good reason. Also there are professionals doing replacements furnaces and AC units safely everyday. Next time I'll check/confirm that the MERV rating is OK. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Does your pro tip only apply to air conditioners? The HVAC filter should only be used to protect the A-coils from clogging due to dust. It usually starts with "When is the last time you changed the filter" and is followed by either my shoulder shrug or other equally stupid response. I'm sure I'll do some searching and ask more questions when that time comes. If you are susceptible to allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, then you may want to use a filter with a MERV rating of about 10 to 12. The York’s of that period had a lot of issues and are prone to cracking the heat exchanger (very unsafe condition). Frugality is the mental approach we each take when considering our resource allocations. without sacrificing on air quality. Filters with a low MERV rating allow more particles to pass through, so they don’t become dirty as quickly as a filter with a higher MERV rating that traps more contaminants. I had a MERV 11 filter in at one point and a tech told me that it may be impeding airflow as a result...he suggested I switch to a cheap fiberglass filter as its easier on the equipment...I've seen conflicting opinions on this sub as well. MERV ratings can impact how frequently the air filter must be changed, but other factors related to your household have a greater impact, such as HVAC system use and indoor environmental conditions. Why? Ranging from 1-16, MERV ratings score the performance level of a filter related to the … I use Nordic Pure MERV 7 for my system. Pro tip: If you have not used an air comb to blow out your A-Coils (in the inside air handler) you should do that every year. We're original owners with the original system. Cookies help us deliver our Services. the higher the MERV does block more, but is also hard on your furnace motor as it tries to pull air through it. MERV 2 to 3 – If you buy your furnace filters from big-box or discount stores, you are not saving a penny. The standard agreement here is to avoid using high MERV rating filters as they cause your HVAC system to work harder, which you don't want. Thank you. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Those flat spun fiberglass filters have a MERV rating of 1-4, so they hardly block anything. Ideal MERV rating for shop filtration unit. The answer to this question will vary based on your HVAC system, but generally aiming for a MERV rating between 8 and 13 is ideal for the typical home. MERV 8 should be fine. Take a moment to understand what MERV ratings are, and how they applied to your application. That's out of my wheelhouse and I'm not that concerned. Use this rating system compare filters made by different manufacturers. Changing out the entire 2 zone HVAC system, and the water heater are coming. Have a tune up done on your furnace very soon. Most recent orders have been MERV 8. Yes, we recognize how lucky we are with a lot of the house (knocking wood again). Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, commonly known as MERV, is a measurement scale designed in 1987 by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to report the effectiveness of air filters.. It is the standard rating system used by the HVAC industry. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The home air filters you're looking for are rated anywhere between MERV 5 and 13. In this article, we’ll go into more detail about MERV filters and how to choose the right one for your New Jersey home. One common term used when discussing air filtration is the MERV rating. Look for cleaners with MERV ratings of 10 or higher, as this indicates a more efficient filter. A technician can examine your duct system and measure airflow and tell you what your system can handle in terms of MERV filtration better than anyone here can. We've been lucky that that decision hasn't been forced by failure on us yet. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. MERV Ratings for HVAC Air Filters. If it needed to be done tomorrow, we'd have it done. Most residential air filters have a MERV rating from 7 to 12, while MERV ratings from 13 to 16 are usually found in hospitals and medical offices. cheapest you can find and change monthly. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, also known as ASHRAE, designed the MERV metric. The key point here is that the filters are not to purify or clean the air in your home. Do you have any special requirements for filtering? HVAC engineer here... Go with MERV 8. So, while higher MERV ratings are more efficient, the recommended MERV ratings for residential filters are between MERV 7 and MERV 13. Due to the dusty air in our area, Mesa homeowners with … It shows the percent of different size particles trapped by filters with different MERV ratings. When determining whether a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or an air filter with a lower minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating is right for your A/C, heat pump or furnace, you must evaluate two things. MERV tests for both the filter’s ability to remove large particles, such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites, and miniscule particles, such as bacteria and viruses. Contact us online or phone 630-393-9500 We serve Warrenville, Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Geneva, Lombard, West Chicago, Naperville, and Batavia and nearby communities. Probably going to save a bunch on more efficient units. What is a MERV Rating?The term MERV is actually an acronym and stands for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value”. We no longer have the manual, reading the online version shows no suggestions for MERV ratings. They have been fairly priced, honest, and straightforward in comparison to all the others that we called prior. OK, so I get the higher the MERV rating, the better filtration BUT isn't it also important to consider the equipment? I've read that too high a MERV will burden the furnace. Merv 8 is a good standard to start with. Definitely have a pro look it over ASAP. Thank you. I suspect we'll be looking to replace our system post-COVID when it's safer for workers and us to be in the house. The rating system is measured by a number between 1-16 with 16 being the best and 1 being the worst. If you want clean air, get a room-sized air cleaner. Go lower (worse filtering efficiency, less drag on airflow)? The chart shows that to remove at least 85% of the PM2.5 from the airstream, you have to … It is a system used to measure the efficiency of an air filter based on how effective it is capturing particles of various sizes. Do you need help getting your furnace working? Searched for York Diamond 80, didn't find info on those threads. At some point, I started to get filters with higher MERV ratings. Or in English, “how effective is your air filter?” MERV ratings range from 1-16. Had to google ESP. CR’s take: The 4-inch-thick Aprilaire Healthy Home 213 MERV 13 earns an Excellent rating for removing dust, smoke, and pollen when the HVAC system is running on its highest fan speed. Well, MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with 1 being the lowest level of filtration, and 20 being the highest. Posted by 3 years ago. All things related to HVAC - Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning, Press J to jump to the feed. What MERV Rating Should I Use? If you are concerned you can test the ESP. MERV ratings range from 1-16 with higher ratings corresponding to smaller filter pores and thus greater air filtration. Close. A micron is a millionth of a meter. The acronym MERV stands for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, which is essentially a rating system that was created by ASHRAE to determine how effective different air filters are at filtering airborne particles. If your family doesn’t suffer from any breathing difficulties, a lower filter like … In simpler terms, this means that any MERV 8 rated air filter will have the same level of filtration another filter with a MERV 8 rating, no matter the material, quality, or construction. It was installed in 1998, pre-MERV as I understand it. We've been using MERV 8 for at least a few years. If your family has allergies or asthma, a higher MERV rating will be good for you. A MERV rating chart shows a numerical value. Rather, you are setting yourself up for some big expenses. You should never buy a filter for your HVAC system that is for "air quality". Here’s what we tell them: Think of MERV 8 filters as a “good” option, and MERV 11 filters as the “better” option for normal residential use. Otherwise get the generic ones, which are pretty much going to be MERV 8. The last house I bought was probably 75% blocked with dust and caused my unit to perform incredibly poorly. Filters that are MERV 16 through 20 are usually only found in hospitals, cleanrooms, and nuclear power plants. Of course, catastrophe could mandate s quicker change. I can't say if the heat exchanger has ever been replaced, but I do recall something being cracked and replaced in the past. They were here for two jobs during the pandemic, they were safe and professional. Average life expectancy for a gas furnace nationwide is 15 years. Press J to jump to the feed. ... /r/woodworking is your home on reddit for furniture, toys, tools, wood, glue, and anything else that has to do with woodworking as a hobby or profession. The first is the difference between HEPA and MERV filters and the definition of each. Knocking wood we'll get to spring summer and choose to upgrade when ready. It includes time, money, convenience, and many other factors. 1. House was built in 1998. Remember, you should make sure your filter and your system work in harmony. The best way to clean the air in your home, and keep it clean, is with a whole-home filtration solution with a high MERV rating, which works with your heating and cooling system to distribute healthier, filtered air throughout your entire home. Minimum efficiency reporting value is supposed to define the worst possible performance you can see from your air filter when dealing with particles within the range of 0.3-10 micrometers. This MERV is the rating scale for the quality of air filters, and believe it or not, there is a very wide range. The range is from 1 (lowest efficiency) to 20 (highest efficiency). Yours is 22. MERV Rating; The MERV rating was created by ASHRAE as a rating system for filters and measure the size of debris that can pass through a filter at the micron level. Now that was some jibber jabber for sure. It will work far better. But then it's just a frequency of change thing. I only have a furnace. Old York Diamond 80 home units. The higher the MERV rating the better the filter is at trapping specific types of particles. Reward minimal, risk maximum. This would include pollen, dust mites, standing dust, spray paint dust and carpet fibers. They do generally check/change the filter during their visit. They are things we recognize might have gone at any time, and should be replaced. The acronym MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. What MERV rating you choose between 7 and 13 depends on what level of filtration you require. It does a good enough job of protecting equipment. The rating system was created by the American Society of Heating Re They protect themselves and their clients. The HVAC filter should only be used to protect the A-coils from clogging due to dust. This is an industry standard rating system. The amount of carbon used on each filter is designed to meet the maximum level of dust capacity for air filters (2-3 months) and filters at a level equal to a MERV 8 rating furnace filter. I use a MERV rating of 8-11 for my HVAC systems. It's to protect your system. If you are worried about being unable to find the correct-sized filter – don’t worry. For most homeowners, a MERV rating of 7 or 8 with a pleated filter provides a good balance between cost and efficiency. What MERV Ratings Should I Look For? What are MERV ratings? • MERV 1 through 4 traps less than 20% at 3.0 to 10.0 microns. At some point, I started to get filters with higher MERV ratings. Stick with MERV 8? MERV ratings are an abbreviation for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. They are quite cheap. The higher the MERV rating on a filter, the fewer dust particles and other contaminants that can pass through it. If you put a low-flow "air cleaning" filter on your HVAC system, you will decrease the load on the blower motor (which is a bad thing, it can over-spin and burn out - it needs a load to operate properly), will reduce airflow and thus reduce efficiency, and will cause your HVAC system to run longer and perform poorly at the same time. Even at ridiculous odds, I'd rather not buy a ticket for that lottery. You should never buy a filter for your HVAC system that is for "air quality". Maybe it's one less interaction between the professionals and a gas station attendant (NJ), or the convenience store workers, or the other people also out and about. Why? What Merv rating should I use? Read some other threads, found the answers... MERV 8 should be fine. Filters with higher MERV ratings can trap smaller particles. Our filters are available in three grades – Merv 8, Merv 11, and Merv 13. I've read that too high a MERV will burden the furnace. What is a Merv rating? MERV ratings for HVAC air filters range from one to 20. I'm wondering what air filter merv ratings other people use for their residential homes. They remove large airborne particles that could otherwise damage your heater or air conditioner, but they do little in the way of improving your indoor air quality. The MERV rating, or the minimum efficiency reporting value, is a measurement of how effective an air filter is at removing dust and debris. Most recent orders have been MERV 8. Blowing it out increased airflow dramatically in every room. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. We've had a local company out for repairs a number of times over the years. The MERV rating is calculated by comparing the filter’s efficiency to the particle size it can capture. If it can wait until things are safer, we'll wait. Using MERV 5-8 filters will keep your HVAC system more efficient than using higher rated filters, as long as you replace your filters regularly. 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