Air Filtration (MERV)
When designing a custom home, attention to detail is key—not only in aesthetics but in air quality as well. One critical factor in achieving optimal indoor air quality is selecting the right air filter, and that's where the MERV rating comes into play.
What is MERV?
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a rating system developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). This rating ranges from 1 to 16, with higher numbers indicating better filtration capabilities. Essentially, the MERV rating measures a filter's ability to capture particles of different sizes, including dust, pollen, mold spores, and even microscopic allergens. MERV 12 or 13 is great, stick with that. Increasing above a 13 can reduce airflow and impact HVAC performance.
How Are MERV Ratings Determined?
Filters are tested in controlled environments where they are exposed to particles of varying sizes. The test measures how well the filter captures these particles and assigns a rating based on its effectiveness. For example, a filter with a low MERV rating (1-4) can capture larger particles like dust, but higher-rated filters (13-16) can trap much smaller pollutants, including bacteria and smoke.
Why MERV Ratings Matter in Custom Homes
For custom homes, the MERV rating plays an essential role in maintaining superior air quality. A well-insulated, airtight home can trap pollutants indoors (read why we air seal here), so using a filter with an appropriate MERV rating ensures that harmful particles are captured and clean air is circulated. A MERV 8 filter, for example, is sufficient for homes without high air pollution concerns, but custom homes near urban areas or built with superior indoor air quality in mind may benefit from MERV 13 or higher filters.
Choosing the right air filter not only contributes to a healthier living environment but also extends the life of your HVAC system. A high-quality air filtration system designed with the right MERV-rated filter is an investment in both the durability of your custom home and the health of those who live in it.
Air filter thickness.
Increasing the air filters surface area by increasing its thickness will increase the service life of your filter drastically. While a common 1 inch thick filter will last 1 month, a 4 inch thick filter can last 6 months. We generally build our homes with 4 inch thick filters to make life a little easier on our clients.
Change your filters.
Changing filters in time is critical. Failure to do so will result in decreased air flow, and ultimately the systems inability to evaporate condensation which can lead to a water leak.