When looking to upgrade your HVAC system filter, you might see the term “MERV Rating” in your research. What are MERV ratings, and why are they important?

Let’s start at square one. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and it sets the standards for the overall effectiveness of air filters. The MERV value determines the amount of  this dust particles and pollutants that are getting through the filter and into your home. Filters can have a wide range of MERV ratings, the higher the rating, the better the filtration! 

Common filter particles that are tested: pollen, dust mites, mold spores, carpet fibers, dust, pet dander, bacteria and tobacco smoke; since these particles are what typically give people daily trouble.

Filters with a higher MERV rating capture particles and pollutants at a much higher rate, which means they should be changed every 3 months. Changing the filter every 3 months might sound like a hassle, BUT we spend about 90% of our time indoors, so having clean air to breathe is a must!

An EnviroAire Filter has a 97% capture rate at .3 microns. On the MERV rating scale, it doesn’t get much cleaner than that. In fact, the EnviroAire Filter is considered hospital grade ranking between 16-18.

Since the capture rate is above the home quality standard, you might be asking, “How does it work?”

As the air from your home is pulled into your HVAC system, sub-microns become polarized. Once they’re polarized, they have a magnetic pull toward other harmful particles, attracting spores to themselves to create larger contaminants. These large molecules are then trapped on a disposable, low-static polarized media pad within the filter. The pad uses an activated charcoal center screen for optimum cleaning power, making EnviroAire Filters the ultimate germ-filtering system for your home.

Let one of our Comfort Specialists get you comfortable in your home, breathing cleaner, safer air today!