Homeowners in Birmingham, AL can improve their indoor air quality against the pollution typical of large metropolitan and urban areas that have substantial industrial regions.
It’s a community known for its southern charm and culture, so it’s no wonder that people love living here! To keep your family comfortable and safe, it’s smart to install a good air filtration system to capture particles that would trigger allergies or cause other health concerns.
At One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, our air quality professionals are standing by to assist you in selecting the most appropriate air filter for your home. We will gladly offer you a free consultation to help determine what MERV filter rating you should select. Our technicians are experts at helping Birmingham residents achieve their indoor air quality goals.
If you’ve been wondering what does MERV stand for, read on for an explanation of MERV ratings and how they influence how well you can filter contaminants that blow into your home.
What is a MERV rating? The MERV scale (“Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value”) was created by ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. All you need to know is that the higher the MERV rating, the more effective it is at trapping particles that range from 0.3 to 10 microns.
Understanding MERV Ratings
What is the range of MERV Ratings? Here’s a MERV rating chart for Birmingham homeowners to consult as they prepare to improve their filtration setup.
| MERV Rating | Particles Filtered | BirminghamSpecific Concerns | Challenges (Static Pressure) |
| 1-4 | Basic dust | Not recommended for Birmingham homes | Provides minimal filtration |
| 5-8 | Pollen, dust mites | Minimum for Birmingham properties | May not adequately filter finer particles |
| 9-12 | Pet dander, mold spores | Recommended for most Birmingham homes | Some HVAC systems may experience reduced airflow or strain. |
| 13-16 | Bacteria, smoke | Ideal for coastal/urban Birmingham properties | Higher MERV ratings may restrict airflow and damage HVAC systems if not compatible. |
However, it’s prudent to have a One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning technician come to your house to check out your HVAC system, to verify a higher MERV rating filter won’t make it too difficult for your furnace to function reliably.
This is because MERV filters with higher ratings (more effective) force the HVAC system to work harder, pushing air through their smaller holes. We don’t want to restrict airflow in your home due to a MERV filter that’s so strong it makes the HVAC equipment struggle to keep up.
Birmingham, AL Specific Considerations
The urban environment of Birmingham, AL has poor air quality because of the heavy pollution that comes from cars and trucks. And urban areas are always changing, with constant construction projects that release clouds of dust and debris. So, homeowners concerned about protecting their indoor air quality should install a MERV filter that’s up to the task of capturing pollution and other contaminants.
Technical Implementation
As a Birmingham homeowner who wants to keep air as pure as possible indoors, you should know that airflow will change according to the MERV filter rating. We are experts at balancing MERV ratings with airflow concerns for our customers.
In terms of preparing for installing an advanced air filter, we cannot answer all your questions over the phone. We’ll need to send a technician to your home to evaluate your indoor air quality and HVAC equipment to make a proper recommendation about what MERV rating air filter will be your best option.
What MERV Rating Can My Furnace in Birmingham Handle?
As a rule of thumb, most people will do fine with a MERV 13 filter, as it can trap contaminants but not put too much of a strain on your furnace. But we don’t work in generalities when it comes to improving health and comfort in your abode. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will check out your HVAC equipment and consult the manufacturer’s manual, to help us get insight into the most appropriate MERV rating for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most frequently asked questions that customers contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning about. Please get in touch with us today if you do not see an answer to your question here!
Will a higher MERV rating make my energy bills go up in Birmingham?
Yes, you can expect your power bill to climb somewhat, because MERV filters with higher ratings have smaller holes. This translates to your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system working harder than without filtration, so more power will be consumed. It’s a small price to pay for a boost in indoor air quality.
How often should I change my MERV filter in Birmingham’s climate?
During allergy season, you may need to change filters more often than once every 30 or 60 days. Homeowners who don’t need daily air filtration should swap MERV filters once every two to three months. With infrequent filter usage, we may recommend you change filters every three to four months.
The indoor air quality professionals from One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will consult with you about how often you should change MERV filters, according to your particular requirements (such as allergies, asthma, and the pollution level in your area).
Can I use the same MERV rating year-round in Alabama?
Of course! Homeowners can be confident about using the same MERV rating for year-round filtration. However, if moisture levels cause mold to grow faster than usual, or during allergy season, it’s appropriate to install higher-rated MERV filters than other times of the year.
We do not recommend using a high MERV rating filter during winter since these filters’ smaller holes make it harder for the furnace to push air efficiently through your home’s air ducts. We’ll help you select a good MERV filter that doesn’t tax your furnace too much.
What MERV rating do I need for Alabama allergies?
The experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning suggest installing a MERV filter rating of 11 to 13, which will do a good job at capturing pollen and mold during high allergy season.
How do I know if my Birmingham home’s AC can handle a MERV 13 filter?
Our indoor air quality experts are familiar with all MERV filter ratings and how they interact with typical Birmingham homes.
Should I use different MERV ratings during hurricane season?
Yes, when hurricanes are predicted, it’s prudent to install a MERV 11 filter, to address the rise in debris and contaminants stirred up by strong winds. You also want advanced filtration to combat the mold encouraged to grow under moist conditions.
Do I need a higher MERV rating if I live in downtown Birmingham?
Yes, it’s best to install higher MERV rating filters downtown since you will experience higher levels of pollution. Sources of contaminants include industrial companies, vehicle emissions, and debris and dust that occur during construction activities.
How do MERV ratings affect my Alabama home’s humidity control?
The higher the MERV rating of your filter, the better it is at capturing contaminants. But smaller holes in these advanced MERV filters cause your HVAC system to work harder, making it more difficult to control humidity. Call One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning for a consultation about balancing humidity reduction with indoor air quality improvement!
What’s the difference between MERV and HEPA filters for Florida homes?
Just know that HEPA filters, which are designed to trap small particles such as viruses and are vital for preserving people’s health, come with MERV ratings 17 or higher.
Seasonal Considerations FAQs
Here’s a Birmingham seasonal guide for your home’s air filtration system:
- Hurricane Season (June-November)
Install a MERV filter rated at 11 to ensure you trap mold spores, dirt and dust that are spread around by hurricane forces.
- Winter (December-February)
Select a MERV 8 filter in your Birmingham home to make the air fresher when winter rolls around. This MERV rating level is a good compromise for filtering air without forcing the furnace to struggle to provide your desired level of heat.
- Spring Allergy Season (March-May)
We suggest that during the peak of allergy season, you put in a MERV filter rated 11-13. With a higher MERV rating, you’ll trap more mold and pollen particles.
- Summer (June-August)
When dust and other debris flies through the air during summer in Birmingham use a MERV 11 filter to boost indoor air quality.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is Standing by to Help You With MERV Filters to Boost Indoor Air Quality in your Birmingham Home
Now that you have a better idea about air filter MERV ratings and how they impact indoor air quality, you may need some assistance in selecting the right level of filter for your family’s needs.
To that end, we will provide you with a free MERV compatibility assessment for your Birmingham home. Our technicians are also ready to consult with you about your home’s indoor air quality. And if you have an urgent need for a new filter, we will come by to provide emergency filter replacement services.
We’d also like to note you can rely on us to keep your system running at its best with our seasonal maintenance programs.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, please connect with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning today!
