Since Orlando, FL, is a metropolitan area with a mixture of urban and suburban living, homeowners here must deal with a variety of contaminants in the air, such as pollen from the region’s rich vegetation, and pollution from high levels of vehicular traffic.
Residents looking to improve their home’s indoor air quality will want to select a MERV filter that performs well at trapping airborne particles.
Consider the car exhaust coming from the many tourists visiting from around the globe who come for such attractions as Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World. Or, imagine all the particles that are produced during landscaping activities in your neighborhood.
With that in mind, you may be wondering, what does MERV stand for? MERV stands for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.”
The MERV scale was created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). They examined how well filters can capture small particles, such as between 0.3 to 10 microns in size.
MERV measures how effective a filter is at trapping contaminants such as pollen and pollution. Orlando homeowners should know that the higher the MERV rating, the better a filter is at trapping allergens such as mold and pollen, dust and contaminants from pollution.
There’s no need for you to have an engineering degree to determine what MERV filter rating is suitable for your home. The indoor air quality experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning offer a free consultation to Orlando homeowners to figure out the best MERV filter for your family’s health and comfort requirements.
Understanding MERV Ratings
Our team developed this handy MERV rating chart so you can get a better idea about how filters will help purify the air inside your dwelling. It is designed to show you the range of MERV ratings at a glance.
| MERV Rating | Particles Filtered | Orlando Specific Concerns | Challenges (Static Pressure) |
| 1-4 | Basic dust | Not recommended for Orlando homes | Provides minimal filtration |
| 5-8 | Pollen, dust mites | Minimum for Orlando properties | May not adequately filter finer particles |
| 9-12 | Pet dander, mold spores | Recommended for most Orlando homes | Some HVAC systems may experience reduced airflow or strain. |
| 13-16 | Bacteria, smoke | Ideal for coastal/urban Orlando properties | Higher MERV ratings may restrict airflow and damage HVAC systems if not compatible. |
For context, HVAC professionals use the term static pressure to refer to a measurement of how hard your HVAC system has to push conditioned air through the system’s ducts.
It’s important to consult with one of the knowledgeable technicians at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning before installing a filter with a higher MERV rating.
We are skilled at determining if higher-rated MERV filters of 9-12 might cause your home’s HVAC equipment to struggle to keep up with heating and cooling demands. You don’t want to experience uneven heating during winter if MERV filtration makes the furnace work harder than usual.
And since MERV 13-16 filters restrict airflow even more, we will verify whether this level of MERV filtration might damage your AC system.
Orlando, FL- Specific Considerations
Local factors in the Orlando area affect the level of airborne contaminants that make their way into people’s homes. For example, during hurricane season, the extra moisture that comes with major storms encourages unhealthy mold spores to grow, so you’ll need a MERV filter to address them.
Orlando’s urban communities are more subject to vehicle emissions and the big clouds of dust stirred up by the frequent construction projects. Meanwhile, homeowners in the suburbs typically need to filter out more pollen, especially at the height of allergy season, as well as landscaping particles that get into the air.
If you’re uncertain about your filter needs, there’s no need to fret! One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will provide you with a free MERV compatibility assessment. Get in touch with us today for our expert advice!
Technical Implementation
When it comes to MERV ratings and airflow, keep in mind that a filter with a higher MERV rating will restrict the flow of air inside your Orlando home as compared to lower MERV-rated filters. Restricted airflow can impact how well your furnace works.
Frequently Asked Questions About MERV Ratings
Will a higher MERV rating make my energy bills go up in Orlando, FL?
The answer is “Yes.” MERV filters tend to reduce airflow, and this will cause your heating and air conditioning system to work harder to compensate, making utility bills rise somewhat.
How often should I change my MERV filter in Orlando’s climate?
Many Orlando homeowners schedule MERV filter changes every month or two.
We can give you a more precise answer to how frequently you should swap out filters, after visiting your home and checking out your HVAC system, while considering your particular MERV filter rating.
But if you require less filtration, you can change filters every two to three months. With even less usage, three to four months would be a good interval for swapping MERV filters. If you only need occasional filtration, our experts might recommend putting in a new filter once every 90 to 120 days.
Can I use the same MERV rating year-round in Florida?
You can. However, if anyone in your home has respiratory issues or other ailments that are affected by poor indoor air quality, it’s best to use different filter ratings according to the season, such as allergy season (more pollen) or hurricane season (more mold).
Perhaps there are major construction projects or major landscaping activities near your dwelling. If so, you would want more filtration to deal with the added airborne contaminants.
What MERV rating do I need for Florida allergies?
Choose a filter with a MERV rating of 11-13 when you want to get relief from seasonal allergies in Orlando.
How do I know if my Orlando home’s AC can handle a MERV 13 filter?
The first thing to consult is your HVAC system’s owner’s manual. But if you cannot locate this information, an expert from One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will check your system and verify whether a MERV 13 filter is compatible.
Should I use different MERV ratings during hurricane season?
When hurricanes are predicted, install a filter with a MERV 11 rating, to deal with the extra mold spores that proliferate after storms.
Do I need a higher MERV rating if I live in downtown Orlando?
It’s wise for homeowners to use a higher-rated MERV filter to ensure capturing as many particles from pollution as possible (such as during heavy traffic) and the dust that occurs from downtown Orlando construction projects.
How do MERV ratings affect my Florida home’s humidity control?
The higher the MERV filter rating, the more it reduces airflow in your home. This means that your system may not be able to control humidity very well.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will analyze your HVAC equipment and take into account your family’s humidity control requirements to make an expert recommendation on filtration. We’re standing by to help you stay more comfortable indoors when it’s muggy outside.
What’s the difference between MERV and HEPA filters for Florida homes?
All you need to know is that HEPA filters, which people use to trap tiny particles such as viruses, have a MERV rating of at least 17.
Seasonal Considerations FAQs
To answer your questions about seasonal filtration needs, here’s an Orlando guide for MERV filters throughout the year:
- Hurricane Season (June-November)
When hurricanes threaten to reach Orlando, the excessive water they unleash will eventually cause more mold spores to grow and blow through the air into people’s homes. We suggest you install a MERV 11 filter to address this concern.
- Winter (December-February)
As winter rolls around, use a MERV 8 filter to capture airborne particles, which doesn’t restrict airflow as much as filters with higher ratings. Doing so enables your furnace to work without struggling when you program it to deliver more heat.
- Spring Allergy Season (March-May)
The experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning recommend Orland homeowners use a MERV 11-13 filter. With a higher rating, your filter will trap more mold, pollen and other allergens.
- Summer (June-August)
With more dust flying around in summertime, it’s good to use a MERV 11 filter in Orlando homes. When in doubt, schedule a free consultation with us to ensure you get the right level of filtration.
For Guidance on MERV Filters for Your Orlando Home, Connect With One Hour’s Experts Today!
We know the needs of Orlando homeowners who hope to improve indoor air quality. After consulting with you, one of our first tasks will be to determine the most suitable MERV filter rating to achieve cleaner air.
Our technicians are experienced in addressing families’ needs to combat allergens, airborne dust, pollution and other contaminants with HVAC system air filtration. Whether you are in a location with higher-than-usual pollution from vehicular traffic or experience terrible allergies, we are ready to assist.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s technicians offer seasonal maintenance programs so your HVAC system will remain in good working order well into the future. And if you require emergency filter replacement services, we’re a quick phone call away.
Remember that we use state-of-the-art air quality assessment tools, enabling us to easily balance MERV filter ratings with HVAC performance.
To learn more, or arrange a free consultation about MERV filters, get in touch with us today.