Are you wondering if a MERV 10 rating is bad for your HVAC system? The answer is yes, but it's not necessarily a problem. High-efficiency air filters can cause damage to your air conditioning system if they are not changed regularly. Let's take a closer look at what MERV ratings are and how they can affect your HVAC system.MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This rating indicates the size of air particles an air filter can trap.
The higher the rating, the more effective the filter is at trapping small particles. The MERV scale is not linear; the difference between a MERV 6 and a MERV 8 is almost double in terms of the percentage of particles captured. The ratings range from 1 to 16, with filters with a higher MERV rating trapping small particles more effectively than those with a lower rating.Most modern HVAC systems have no problem operating with higher MERV filters, which is why millions of homeowners depend on them. The main risk of high-efficiency air filters comes from the fact that they are not modified for long periods of time.
If you don't stop changing your filters, you're unlikely to experience any filter-related problems in your air conditioning system.Have you ever felt like your lungs work harder when you're wearing a mask? Well, a filter with a MERV rating too high to handle will cause the lungs of the oven or air handler to work too hard. The usual result is that the engine will wear out prematurely.A MERV 12 filter that is only 1 (one inch) thick is likely to be more restrictive than a 4 (four inch) thick MERV 12 filter. However, if not, this information will answer the question “what is the MERV classification? What is the best MERV rating for my furnace or air treatment system? and similar introductory questions.In conclusion, high-quality filters with a MERV rating from 9 to 12 are the best filters that a residential air conditioning system can use without the need for major modifications to the system. If you want to ensure that your HVAC system runs smoothly and efficiently, make sure to change your filters regularly.
