Before air enters the heating and cooling portion of your HVAC system in Oak Harbor, WA, it passes through an air filter. Some people think that the only difference between air filters is their size. Choose the correct size, they think, and there’s nothing left to consider. However, there is a wide range of filters that differ based on their MERV rating, giving you far more to choose from than just the size of the filter. By reading through this guide from on MERV ratings, you’ll be better able to understand how to use this measurement to keep your home healthy and comfortable. What Is a MERV Rating? Every air filter is assigned a MERV rating. The acronym MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. While this sounds complicated, you can think of it simply as a measure of how much particulate matter a filter can capture in its fibers. Filters that are tightly woven and can catch a wide variety of particles have a higher MERV rating, while filters that are less dense have a lower MERV rating. You can find the MERV rating on any filter by checking the package when you buy it in the store. Typically,...
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Your AC’s air filter is easy to change. By completing this task periodically, you can help prevent many expensive AC problems. Air filters that become too dirty cause decreased efficiency and airflow in the cooling system. In turn, this may cause additional problems, such as high energy bills, warm air, weak airflow, and poor indoor air quality. High Energy Bills A common problem that occurs when you don’t change the air filter based on the manufacturer’s recommendations is an increase in your energy bill. You don’t want to wait until you receive your energy bill to know your air filter caused efficiency problems in your air conditioner, so remember to always change it on schedule. Warm Air When the air filter becomes clogged, the AC’s compressors may overheat. If your air conditioner begins blowing warm air instead of cold air and you haven’t changed the air filter on schedule, then the compressors have probably overheated. At this point, your AC may still need repair after you change the air filter because overheated compressors can cause damage to the system. Weak Airflow Clogged air filters don’t allow air to freely circulate throughout your cooling system. Aside from causing inefficiency, this can...
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