Choosing Between MERV and HEPA filters for Your HVAC System

Every HVAC system comes equipped with its own filtration mechanism. This helps it eliminate dust and other airborne contaminants that can impact indoor air quality.

A filter is also responsible for making an air purifier effective. Air purifiers can further reduce the particles that would otherwise be freely present in your home or workplace. With an air purifier in a room, fewer contaminants reach the filter of your HVAC system, possibly extending the life of the HVAC filter and the system as a whole.

While there are many regular filters that you can buy for your HVAC, there are two filters that are more effective in removing airborne particulate matter: MERV and HEPA filters. We discuss them here:

MERV Filters

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) describes an air filter’s efficiency by assigning it a rating. MERV filters remove particles that are 0.3 to 10 microns in diameter. If the filter can trap particles that small, it is naturally effective at trapping bigger particles. Filter efficiency is better the higher the MERV rating. The MERV rating scale ranges from 1 to 16. Sixteen is the highest efficiency rating. If you need an air condition service, take the opportunity to ask your technician about MERV filters.

HEPA Filters

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are not MERV-rated, but a HEPA filter is typically considered as MERV 17 to 20, which is the highest group in MERV ratings. True HEPA filters have at least 99.97% efficiency in trapping 0.3-micron particles. They are preferred in many hospitals as they are more effective in trapping even bacteria and viruses.

There are several considerations when you’re thinking about which would work best with your HVAC or air purifier. For example, the size of the filter that would fit your equipment.

It’s common for a homeowner to want the filter that traps the tiniest particles. However, you should also consider that the more effective the filter is, the more difficult it is for air to pass through it. This could mean higher energy use for your equipment as it tries to force air through the filter. It might also lead to a shortened life for your HVAC.

To choose the right filter for your unit, talk to a certified technician. EZ Air Conditioning and Heating can help you decide on the filter that will work best with your unit. We also offer air condition repair. Call us today at (210) 558-7883, or use our contact page.