Having clean, fresh air indoors is vital for you and your family. If you’re learning more about IAQ (Indoor Air Quality), you may have come across the term MERV filter ratings.
But, how do I know when I have bad indoor air quality? And what’s a MERV filter rating?
How am I supposed to know my IAQ is bad?
Short of breath? Irritation in the eyes? Constant headaches? Little energy?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, your indoor air quality may be poor.
Someone who suffers from respiratory problems may face these symptoms more severely. Compromised people need to especially take precautions to improve their IAQ.
Even if you’re not compromised and don’t suffer from any of the symptoms, it’s still important to care about your IAQ.
What’s a MERV filter rating?
If you’re researching indoor air quality, you’ve come across the term “MERV filter ratings.” Is that the solution to having better air quality?
MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) filter ratings tell you how effective your air filter is working on a scale from 1-16.
Everyone has a different MERV rating depending on conditions. A residential home will have a different MERV filter rating than a hospital. That’s because hospital’s are more likely to collect bacteria than a residential home. In a residential home, a MERV rating of 7-12 can remove pollen, harmful fibers, tobacco smoke, mold, dust and bacteria.
If you’re living in an apartment or a home, you should aim to have a MERV rating of 7-12.
Ready to take the next step in improving your IAQ?
Now that you’re more informed, get in contact with your HVAC specialist and ask for a recommendation of what MERV filter rating you should have.
Informing yourself about indoor air quality is beneficial to you and your health. Reading this blog is a good start to improving your indoor air quality. Click here to get in contact with someone at Alamo Austin Air.