Furnace filter efficiency is based on a number of factors that can influence savings as well as indoor air quality and comfort. Dust, dander, mold spores and high levels of pollen in South Carolina can affect aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms but they can also bog down your furnace and cause it to overwork itself. When it's time to replace your furnace filter, these factors can influence savings:
All furnace filters are rated on the minimum efficiency reporting value scale (MERV). This scale is based on the minimum particle size that a filter can trap, as measured in microns.
A low-quality filter that only traps larger particles of dust and other material is generally rated between 1 to 4 on the MERV scale. These are intended to protect your furnace and its workings, but aren't good for capturing the smaller particles of allergens, mold spores and dust mites that degrade air quality. Filters rated 5 to 8 are usually used in home systems to trap smaller particles but still don't do much to improve air quality. Filters MERV rated between 9 and 13 do a reasonably good job at capturing most of the troublesome materials in your air, especially on repeated passes through your HVAC system. As you go higher in MERV numbers, the danger of impeding air flow becomes greater, and the very high MERV-rated filters, while very efficient, may require modifications in your HVAC system.
Furnace-filter efficiency is also affected by the thickness of your furnace filter and the thickness of the individual fibers used to make the filter. A thicker filter will allow you to trap more particles but it will also have to be changed less often, which saves money long term.
For more information on furnace-filter efficiency and the filter that is best for your home, contact Comfort Services. Routine maintenance of your HVAC system can also improve your energy savings and keep your equipment in optimum condition.
