Most homeowners do not know the difference between MERV rating and airflow. It is crucial for you to understand the difference between these two terms. They both affect your heating and cooling systems. Before you contact experts for plumbing in Arlington, TX, having a clear understanding of these two terms will help you choose a heating and cooling unit for your home.
What is MERV Rating and Airflow?
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) refers to a score from 1 to 16 for residential air filters and 17 to 20 for commercial air filters available in the United States. The air filter receives a rating based on its efficiency in removing particles from the air coming towards it.
The higher the MERV rating, the more particles the air filter removes from the air. Most residential homes and commercial spaces in the United States should have an air filter with a MERV rating of 5 at minimum and 12 at maximum.
However, if you or any of your family members suffers from a respiratory condition, you can contact an expert, specializing in plumbing in Arlington, TX, to advise on the type of air filter you should use for your heating and cooling unit. For instance, hospitals — since they have to maintain a clean and hygienic environment — use an air filter with a MERV rating of 13 to 16.
MERV rating makes sure that the incoming air abides by certain air quality standards. Most likely, a local company, offering plumbing in Arlington, TX, will refer to the outdoor concentrations of air pollinations particulate matter, estimated from 100 polluted cities in the world.
When there are a lot of pollutants in the air, the air becomes hazy with low visibility, which then becomes a health risk. Throughout the year, the environmental factors will influence the air quality, which is why it is important for homeowners to call a certified plumber with years of experience in plumbing in Arlington, TX to visit your home to look at your existing air filter and determine if you have the right on installed.
How MERV Rating Affects Airflow
MERV rating indicates the effectiveness of an air filter installed on your heating and cooling unit. The higher the rating, the better your air filter performs. An air filter with a high MERV rating reduces the number of dust and contaminants that pass through it, resulting in improved air flow quality.
Who Came Up with the MERV Rating?
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers or ASHRAE designed the MERV rating, designing it to rate the effectiveness of an air filter. If you visit their website, you will find their mission statement, which states that their objective is to promote the arts and sciences of ventilation, heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning to serve humanity and strive for a sustainable world.
For this reason, they established a rating system, which evaluates the performance of an air filter in removing particles (.3 to 10 microns) from the air. A plumber with experience in plumbing in Arlington, TX can provide you with more insight on this.
What Does a Higher MERV Rating Mean?
An air filter with a higher MERV rating means that it is more tightly bound, thus effectively reducing the number of particles that can pass through it. For instance, a general air filter with a MERV rating of 8 will filter down to around 10 microns, whereas an air filter with MERV rating of 13 will filter about 0.3 microns passing through it.
In short, air filters are designed for the purpose to catch particles from the air such as pet dander, dust, pollen, bacteria, mold spores, and smoke. For this reason, it is essential that you do not make the wrong choice when selecting one for your home. You need to get in touch with a plumber for plumbing in Arlington, TX to help you out.
How Do You Choose between the Right MERV Rating and Airflow Combination?
Choosing the wrong air filter can cost you, leaving you with poor air quality or an inefficient heating and cooling system. If you have an inefficient heating and cooling system, it can increase your electricity bill. If you are unsure on how to choose the perfect combination of the two, you need to get in touch with a plumbing company for plumbing in Arlington, TX to visit your home and inspect your environment to tell you what the right MERV rating for your air filter is according to your space.
First, they will tell you about the right MERV rating and from there, you will have to select the right type of air filter for your home. You have the option to select from three different types of air filters.
The Four Different Types of Air Filters
You can choose a low efficiency air filter, medium efficiency air filter, and high efficiency air filter.
Fiber Glass, a low efficiency air filter, is the most common type of air filter, as it is inexpensive and disposable. They are around one inch thin with a MERV rating between 1 and 4. They block debris from entering your heating and cooling system. They can trap large particles, but not small particles.
Polyester, a medium efficiency air filter, has a MERV rating between 5 and 8. They can stop dust from coming into the heating and cooling system. Homeowners opting for this should go with an air filter that offers MERV rating 9, 10, 11, and 12.
High efficiency air filters have a MERV rating of 13 to 20. For residential use, go with an air filter with a MERV rating of 16. If you are searching for an air filter that comes in this category, you should ask a plumber in your area, providing plumbing in Arlington, TX, for assistance, as choosing one by yourself can be difficult and you do not want to make the wrong choice.
The last thing you want to do is to make the wrong choice when it comes to this. It is essential that you call on the services of a plumber certified in performing plumbing in Arlington, TX to your home to help you decide the type of air filter you should purchase for your heating and cooling unit.
Are you searching for a reliable plumbing company for plumbing in Arlington, TX? You need to contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Fort Worth for plumbing in Arlington, TX.