How to Measure the Effectiveness of Your Air Filter

The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV, rating acts as a guide for how well a filter can remove and hold back contaminants in the air being cycled through your air conditioner. The higher the number in this sixteen-point scale, the better, but only up to a certain point: too high of a rating means restricted air flow and your air conditioner has to work harder. For example, fiberglass has a MERVE rating of between 1 and 4 (60-80% effectiveness) depending on the processing, while filters with extended pleats receive a rating between 9 and 12 and are too efficient for most residential machines.

For more information, contact a professional in Mt. Dora FL AC installation.