What’s a MERV Rating?

Ever wonder what those numbers on your air filter mean? That’s the MERV rating. It tells how good the filter is at catching stuff floating around in your air.

• MERV 1-4: Basic protection-catches big dust and lint.

• MERV 5-8: Great for most homes-traps pet dander, mold spores, and finer dust.

• MERV 9-12: Better for people with allergies-grabs smaller particles and some bacteria.

• MERV 13-16: Super clean air-almost hospital level, but it can restrict airflow if your system isn’t designed for it.

  
  

  Red Beard Tech Tip: More isn’t always better! A higher MERV filter sounds great, but if it’s too restrictive, your system must work harder. When in doubt, give us a shout! We’ll help you pick the right one for your home.