The Air Filter Store Blog

Some of you may have seen a MERV rating used when describing a filter, but not known exactly what that means. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. That sounds very technical, but what it really means to you is that you can better compare filtration performance. The higher the MERV number the more efficient the filter.

So what is a good MERV rating? That depends on your needs. For general maintenance or just to keep the HVAC system clean, an unrated or low MERV filter is fine. If you want a step above and are looking for a little more air cleaning power, the MERV 8 filter provides a great balance of performance and price. But if you have allergies we recommend a higher MERV value, consider MERV 11-13. The higher MERV rated filters are much better able to capture pollens, molds, and fine dust.

There are few more things to know about filter performance and finding the best filter for your situation, but knowing a little about MERV ratings is a good start.

For many of us pollen allergies can ruin our day. While we can’t eliminate pollen allergies, we can take measures against them. Here are a few tips to help make living with allergies easier and turn your home into a safe zone against pollen.

1. Keep up to date with the pollen levels in your area. Check the Pollen.com 4-day forecast.
2. During peak allergy levels, stay inside as much as possible.
3. Keep windows and doors closed. Reduce opening and closing of doors as much as possible.
4. Keep clothing worn outside out of your bedroom. Remember, pollen is easily transported on your clothes.
5. Seal windows with tape to stop infiltration from outside if necessary.
6. Use a high performance air filter in your central air system.
7. Use a room air purifier in your bedroom, play area, or office. Running an air purifier in your bedroom for several hours before bedtime can lead to a more restful nights sleep.
8. Use a mask when walking, performing housekeeping tasks, grooming pets, or working outside.
9. Keep pets outside or bathe them frequently.
10. Reduce early morning activity (5-10am) when pollen is emitted.