People love living in Clearwater for the coastal lifestyle, but being close to the ocean means that homeowners have to contend with coastal salt air as well as the pollution that comes with living in a major metropolitan area of Florida. Since it’s an urban-suburban mixture, there is also a degree of urban pollution whose particles you will want to filter out of the air entering your home.
And like in many other locations in Florida, Clearwater residents must be prepared to protect their heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment against the ravages of powerful hurricanes.
When the winds begin to howl, you should anticipate debris and dirt hitting the exterior HVAC unit and causing significant damage. In the aftermath of hurricanes, added moisture in the environment encourages mold to grow quickly, which has a major impact on homeowner’s indoor air quality. Elderly people and individuals with health issues must be on guard against pollution, particulate matter and mold.
This is why the indoor air quality professionals at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning advise Clearwater homeowners to install high quality MERV filters to augment their HVAC systems.
What does MERV stand for? It’s short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The MERV is a measurement scale created by ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
ASHRAE devised this scale to categorize air filters according to how effective they are in capturing small airborne particles. You don’t need to hold an engineering degree to understand the basics of MERV ratings. At a minimum, be aware that the higher a filter’s MERV rating, the more effective it is at trapping pollution and other particles. MERV describes how capable a particular filter is at trapping tiny particles ranging in size from 0.3 to 10 microns.
But if you have any questions about MERV or need MERV ratings explained, please contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning for a free consultation. We’ll discuss the details of air filtration with you and help you pick the right type of MERV filter for your Clearwater home to meet your family’s indoor air quality requirements.
People who suffer from asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems should take advantage of the latest in indoor air filtering, to help preserve their health.
This article introduces the details of MERV so you can better understand how MERV ratings apply to the filters you’ll use to improve the air quality inside your home in Clearwater. Remember that we are just a quick phone call away if you need to know more before deciding what MERV filters are right for your HVAC system.
Understanding MERV Ratings
Please refer to this MERV rating chart if you have questions about how the filters deal with contaminants in the air in Clearwater.
| MERV Rating | Particles Filtered | Clearwater Specific Concerns | Challenges (Static Pressure) |
| 1-4 | Basic dust | Not recommended for Clearwater homes | Provides minimal filtration |
| 5-8 | Pollen, dust mites | Minimum for Clearwater properties | May not adequately filter finer particles |
| 9-12 | Pet dander, mold spores | Recommended for most Clearwater homes | Some HVAC systems may experience reduced airflow or strain. |
| 13-16 | Bacteria, smoke | Ideal for coastal/urban Clearwater properties | Higher MERV ratings may restrict airflow and damage HVAC systems if not compatible. |
However, an HVAC technician from One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will have to inspect your system to make sure that higher MERV filtration will not cause too much strain on your AC system or furnace, which could restrict airflow and make the equipment function less effectively.
Clearwater-Specific Considerations
Clearwater’s environmental factors will influence the MERV filter rating that One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning technicians will suggest you install
For example, if your Clearwater home is in more of an urban environment, your filter should take care of trapping pollution from construction dust and emissions from cars and trucks. If you are in a more suburban part of Clearwater, your home HVAC system’s MERV filters should be capable of trapping landscaping and pollen particles.
Technical Implementation
Clearwater homeowners should keep in mind how MERV ratings relate to airflow before they install filters.
What MERV Rating Can My Clearwater Furnace Handle?
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s expert indoor air quality team will examine your HVAC system’s furnace and the manufacturer’s owner’s manual to help determine the most suitable MERV filter for you.
For now, be aware that a filter with a MERV 13 rating will probably be appropriate for most home furnaces, being able to trap particles but not restricting airflow. It’s always best to consult with HVAC professionals, though, to make sure your filtration system will work as desired to keep your indoor air as pure as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About MERV Filters for Clearwater Residents
Will a higher MERV rating make my energy bills go up in Clearwater?
Improving your home’s indoor air quality comes with a price. Filters with high MERV ratings force air through smaller holes. This makes your HVAC equipment work harder to move air around.
How often should I change my MERV filter in Clearwater’s climate?
The frequency at which you swap out MERV filters is dependent on conditions such as the level of local pollution where you live. If people in your house suffer from allergies or pulmonary issues that are exacerbated by contaminants flowing through the air, you’ll need to change filters more often.
Generally, the technicians at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning suggest you change MERV filters every 30-60 days when you are actively filtering the air each day (think summer and winter). For moderate users of MERV filtration, you can probably get by changing filters every 60-90 days. Light users tend to change their filters about every three to four months.
Contact us today to help determine how often you should change your filters.
Can I use the same MERV rating year-round in Florida?
Yes, it’s okay to use filters with the same MERV rating throughout the year. However, you’ll benefit by using different MERV filters in spring as allergens proliferate, compared to filtering out the dirt and mold that results from high winds in hurricane season. In winter, aim for a lower MERV rating so you don’t put much of a strain on your furnace.
Our technicians will be happy to consult with you about a strategy for using various MERV rating filters according to the season, your specific location, and any special health concerns under your roof.
What MERV rating do I need for Florida allergies?
Choose a MERV rating of 11 or 13 at minimum to filter out pollen and mold during allergy season in Clearwater.
How do I know if my Clearwater home’s AC can handle a MERV 13 filter?
Check the owner’s manual from your AC’s manufacturer. If you can’t locate the manual or need help interpreting it, the team at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will explain the details. We know how to check HVAC systems to see if they are compatible with different MERV rating filters.
Should I use different MERV ratings during hurricane season?
Indeed! Install a MERV filter with an 11 rating. That should suffice for the mold and debris that come during hurricanes.
What’s the best MERV rating for homes near Clearwater’s beaches?
We suggest you use filters with a MERV rating of 13-16 to address the salty coastal air conditions.
Do I need a higher MERV rating if I live in downtown Clearwater?
It’s always a good idea to use the highest possible MERV filter to capture vehicle pollution and particles coming from construction work downtown.
How do MERV ratings affect my Florida home’s humidity control?
With higher MERV ratings (13-16), the flow of air is somewhat restricted. This means your HVAC equipment will not do as well at removing humidity from the air. Call us for a free consultation to learn more about humidity control with MERV filters.
What’s the difference between MERV and HEPA filters for Florida homes?
HEPA filters trap small particles like viruses, making them prized for filtering the air for folks with health issues. All HEPA filters come with a MERV rating of 17 or higher.
Clearwater Seasonal Considerations FAQs
It’s appropriate to install a different MERV rating filter according to the season. Air quality in Clearwater tends to change between summer and winter.
- Hurricane Season (June-November)
Install a MERV 11 filter rating to trap mold spores, and dirt and dust that hurricane winds carry into your dwelling.
- Winter (December-February)
Select a MERV 8 filter to improve indoor air quality during Clearwater’s relatively mild winters. This way, you will trap dust and still ensure air is flowing strongly from your home’s furnace.
- Spring Allergy Season (March-May)
During peak allergy season in Clearwater, install a MERV 11 or 13 filter, which are better at capturing pollen and mold. The higher the rating, the more particles the filter will trap.
- Summer (June-August)
To trap the dust that flies around during summers in Clearwater, use a MERV 11 filter.
For Better Indoor Air Quality in Your Clearwater Home, Install MERV Filters!
You can keep your family safer and healthier by installing MERV filters designed to capture mold spores, pollen, dust, pet dander and bacteria. A MERV 10 filter is a good starting point if you need moderate filtering.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s indoor air quality professionals are standing by to assist you in filtering out pollution and airborne particles in your Clearwater abode.
We will walk you through all the details of MERV filtration and consult with you about your best options for MERV ratings to address your health and comfort requirements.
Our technicians know how to balance airflow needs with the level of filtration that Clearwater homeowners demand.
To reduce the total cost of ownership of your home’s HVAC equipment, we suggest you sign up for our seasonal maintenance programs. And during emergencies, we will quickly replace your filters on demand.
To learn more about our approach to using MERV filters to optimize indoor air quality or consult with our professionals for a free MERV compatibility assessment in Clearwater, contact us today!