Your home’s HVAC system helps you feel more comfortable inside your living area. It also ensures that the air you breathe is free of dust.
However, have you ever asked yourself, “Can HVAC filters help mitigate the spread of viruses?” In this guide, you’ll learn the answer to this question as well as other information related to HVAC filters.
It Depends on the MERV Rating of Your Filter
When it comes to HVAC filters, one size does not fit all. Each air filter comes with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) that determines which particles the filter will collect. The higher the rating, the more efficient the filter is at collecting particles.
Air filters with a MERV rating between 1 and 4 remove particles between 3 and 10 microns. These air filters are ineffective at filtering out germs, and manufacturers mainly design them to protect the system itself.
As for filters with a MERV rating between 5 and 13, they are much more efficient. They can trap particles that are extremely small, such as bacteria. If you have a pleated air filter, it most likely has a MERV rating between 5 and 13. This range can pick up particles as tiny as 1 micron.
A MERV rating of 14 and 16 (the highest) is in the most efficient filters. These are capable of collecting particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Particles That HVAC Filters Can Remove From the Air
Depending on your filter’s MERV rating, it can remove a certain amount of particles from the air. Some examples of pathogens that an HVAC filter can catch are dust, bacteria, mold, pet dander, pollen, and viruses. However, even though you know the answer to the question, “Can HVAC filters help mitigate the spread of viruses?” that doesn’t mean you have the full story on this subject.
Which Viruses Can HVAC Filters Collect?
HVAC filters can collect the germs that cause the flu, ear infections, bronchitis, the common cold, and croup, but this depends on a few factors. The first is that the particles the viruses travel on must be large enough for the filter to collect.
The other factor is the MERV rating on your filter. To ensure that nobody in your home gets sick, you might want to start looking at custom HVAC filters online.
Overall, your home’s internal air should be free of germs. Now that you know about MERV ratings and virus protection, order a filter to start reaping the benefits.
