MERV may look like a misspelling of the name Marv, but these four letters are vital for understanding the air filters in HVAC systems designed to trap particles from circulating through a building. Not all filters are the same: the simple panel filter on your HVAC cabinet is designed to stop large contaminants like dust and lint from getting into the system, while the HEPA filters used in hospitals are powerful enough to stop the movement of bacteria and viruses. MERV is the rating that explains the filtration power of the filter. The higher the MERV rating, the tighter the filter weave.
Bob Mims Heating & Air Conditioning Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Air Filters’
What “MERV” Mean for Air Filters
Monday, July 29th, 2019The Stronger Air Filter May Not Be the Best Air Filter
Monday, July 16th, 2018
Air quality in homes is a growing concern today. Government studies have found that the air inside buildings, including residential ones, can be three to four times worse than the air outside. This goes against what most people think of when they think of “air pollution.” The reason for this spike in indoor air pollutants is that homes aren’t designed today for sufficient circulation of outdoor air. This helps to keep homes energy efficient (less heat gain in hot weather, less heat loss in cold weather), but it ends up trapping numerous pollutants generated indoors from household products, paint, varnish, cleaning supplies, and plain o’ dust and lint.
What can you do about this air quality trouble in your house? Air filters are a great start. And why not go out and get the strongest air filters to do the best job?
