Advice for Split System Air Conditioner Ínstallation: Perth Expert Explains MERV Ratings

When they begin to research an aircon installation, Perth residents will be exposed to a whole new language that they may not understand. Air conditioning like any industry has a lexicon of its own, and this terminology can be confusing. One of the concepts that isn’t often explained well is the MERV rating of a piece of HVAC equipment. In this article, we will explain what the MERV rating is and why it’s such an essential aspect of your new AC system.

What is a MERV Rating?

The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV rating is a way of measuring how effective a filter is at removing particulates out of any air that passes through it. The main thing to remember is that the higher the MERV rating is, the more particles it will block from passing through it. So, many people may now be thinking "why not just fit an air filter with the highest possible MERV rating?" and this is a legitimate question. The tradeoff is that an air filter with a higher MERV rating will be made from a far denser filter material. When the filter is denser, it takes more force to push the air through it. At the highest end of the MERV scale, you would an extremely powerful HVAC fan to push that air through, and this would be impracticable (and unnecessary) for a domestic system.

What is Your MERV Rating Number?

This can vary a great deal from home to home depending on a number of factors, such as local air conditions, any allergy sufferers in the home, pet hair and many others. If you have an HVAC air filter with a MERV rating that is too high, you could end up with a filter that very quickly clogs with dust. The fan will have to work extra hard to compensate, and this could lead to frequent breakdowns and the accompanying repair bills. An air filter that has a higher MERV rating will also be less energy efficient as your system will work harder to get the air through the filter. However, you will still want an air filter that can handle airborne contaminants, so how do you pick an air filter with the correct MERV rating.

The MERV Rating Ranges

A MERV rating is rated from 1-20, with 20 being the best air filter available. In a typical residential system, a MERV rating of 1-4 would be more than adequate. A homeowner may go up to 8 if they have people that suffer from allergies or respiratory problems in the home. A MERV rating of 8 is also a good match for pet owners or people that have mould issues in their homes. A MERV rating above 8 is not often found in a domestic setting; this would be overkill for the vast majority of households.

If they are considering a split system installation, Perth based residents should contact AirSpares. We are your local experts in air conditioning installation, servicing, and repairs.

If they need a href=https://www.airspares.com.auAir Conditioning parts, a href=https://www.airspares.com.au/Air Conditioning Services and Repairs, Perth resident and business managers should contact us here at AirSpares