By David Toomey
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15 Oct, 2021
Hello again from everyone here at J&D Service. We hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to Fall weather and the holiday season. There has always been much debate on the best type of filter to use in your HVAC system. Many professionals say use the best-pleated filter you can find, and others say the cheaper "30 days, and throw away" type is the best. The MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is the best way to gauge the kind of filter you need. The MERV rating grades a filter's ability to capture large particles and contaminants from the air as it circulates through your HVAC system in your home. The higher the MERV rating number, the more particles and contaminates it captures. The highest rating is not always the right choice and can be harmful to your HVAC system. A pleated MERV 8 filter is a good choice for most homes. If you have medical issues such as severe allergies or breathing issues, a MERV 9 to MERV 12 filter will help with those issues. I would not recommend using a MERV 13 or higher filter unless your unit is specifically designed for it. MERV 13 or higher filters can restrict airflow to the point that it can cause issues with the unit operation and/or damage your HVAC system if not explicitly designed for a filter rated that high. If you have questions about what type of filter to use in your home, please give J&D Service a call. We are glad to help. Residential customers call 615-730-5109, and commercial customers call 615-366-4099. David Toomey J&D Service Company