Bradenton’s natural beauty makes it an attractive place to live, but homeowners should be aware of its unique air quality challenges.
Located in a thriving metropolitan region, Bradenton is subject to urban pollution. And during hurricane season, you have to be on guard against huge amounts of dirt and debris flying through the air, and mold growing after water exposure. These situations affect your home’s indoor air quality and the health and comfort of each person under your roof.
Accordingly, residents are advised to install the correct MERV filter to work with their heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
If you’re not familiar with MERV ratings, the indoor air quality experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will give you a free consultation and determine the most suitable filter to use in your Bradenton home. When you have a better understanding of what is a MERV rating, you will be able to select the right amount of filtration, taking into account any respiratory ailments in your family.
What does MERV mean on air filters? MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.
It’s a measurement scale developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to show how effective a filter is in trapping tiny particles in the air.
MERVs describe the capability of a filter to trap particles ranging from 0.3 to 10 microns in size. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at trapping particulate matter.
We’ll cover the details of MERV and help you understand MERV ratings so you can make a more informed decision to boost air quality in your abode. If any questions arise about what is MERV, please feel free to call us for advice!
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 Bradenton.
| MERV Rating | Particles Filtered | Bradenton Specific Concerns | Challenges (Static Pressure) |
| 1-4 | Basic dust | Not recommended for Bradenton homes | Provides minimal filtration |
| 5-8 | Pollen, dust mites | Minimum for Bradenton properties | May not adequately filter finer particles |
| 9-12 | Pet dander, mold spores | Recommended for most Bradenton homes | Some HVAC systems may experience reduced airflow or strain. |
| 13-16 | Bacteria, smoke | Ideal for coastal/urban Bradenton properties | Higher MERV ratings may restrict airflow and damage HVAC systems if not compatible. |
However, an HVAC technician One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will need to check your system to make sure that higher MERV filtration will not cause too much strain on your AC system, inhibiting airflow and causing it to malfunction.
Bradenton-Specific Considerations
Local factors in Bradenton affect what MERV rating you should select for your home’s air filters. If your home is located in an urban area, you will need to focus on filtering out vehicle emissions, and particulates such as construction dust.
Folks living in Bradenton’s suburban region should select a MERV filter that can trap pollen and landscaping particles.
Technical Implementation
Bradenton homeowners need to be aware of the relationship between MERV ratings and airflow before implementing filtration.
What MERV Rating Can My Bradenton Furnace Handle?
This is a technical question that experts from One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will help you assess, based on your furnace model, if you don’t have access to the owner’s manual from the manufacturer.
In general, though, a MERV rating of 13 should provide suitable air filtration while not impeding the flow of heated air from your home’s furnace.
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions that we receive from Bradenton customers at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning:
Will a higher MERV rating make my energy bills go up in Bradenton?
Yes, because filters with higher MERV ratings push air through tinier openings, which requires your HVAC system to work harder than usual.
How often should I change my MERV filter in Bradenton’s climate?
How often you change MERV filters depends on factors such as how much pollution is in your neighborhood, and whether anyone in your home has allergies or other medical conditions affected by airborne contaminants.
As a rule of thumb, change your filter every one to two months under periods of high use, such as in winter and summer. If you use your MERV filter moderately, change it every two to three months. For light use, you can swap out filters every three to four months.
Can I use the same MERV rating year-round in Florida?
You can use the same MERV rating all year, but it’s better to use different MERV ratings depending on whether it’s hurricane season, or during the spring when more allergens are in the air. A lower MERV rating will make it easier for your furnace to push heated air through your home.
Consult with our technicians about installing different MERV rating filters according to your medical needs and how often you run your HVAC system each season.
What MERV rating do I need for Florida allergies?
To capture all the mold and pollen that proliferate during allergy season, select a filter with a MERV rating of at least 11 or 13.
How do I know if my Bradenton home’s AC can handle a MERV 13 filter?
Consult the manufacturer’s owner’s manual, and if in doubt, contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning for advice. We will check your system and verify if a MERV 13 filter is compatible with your system.
Should I use different MERV ratings during hurricane season?
Yes. It’s a good idea to select a filter with an 11 air filter MERV rating to handle debris and mold that occurs in the presence of moisture kicked up by the storm’s strong winds.
What’s the best MERV rating for homes near Bradenton’s beaches?
Bradenton isn’t so close to the beach (about 12 miles away on the mainland), so select a MERV filter appropriate for an urban or suburban location.
Do I need a higher MERV rating if I live in downtown Bradenton?
Yes, you will want a higher MERV rating to trap particulates from auto pollution and construction activities.
How do MERV ratings affect my Florida home’s humidity control?
Essentially, the higher the MERV rating, such as 13-16, the more airflow is restricted. And with reduced airflow, your system will be less able to dehumidify the air. We offer free consultation, so contact us to address the right filter for your home during periods of high humidity.
What’s the difference between MERV and HEPA filters for Florida homes?
A MERV filter is designed to filter out particles, such as dust and other airborne contaminants. In comparison, a HEPA filter is better at trapping smaller particles such as viruses. HEPA filters have a MERV rating of at least 17.
Bradenton Seasonal Considerations FAQs
You can use different MERV filters depending on the season, since air quality concerns vary from winter to summer in Bradenton.
- Hurricane Season (June-November)
Select a filter with a MERV rating of 11 to handle the extra debris, dirt and mold spores that winds can spread into your home.
- Winter (December-February)
When winter rolls around, you can rely on a filter with a MERV 8
rating, which should handle dust while still allowing sufficient airflow from the furnace so your family stays nice and cozy.
- Spring Allergy Season (March-May)
When it’s allergy season, you’ll want to use a filter with a MERV rating of at least 11 or 13 to trap mold and pollen. A MERV 13 will capture more particles.
- Summer (June-August)
A MERV filter of 11 is suitable for managing summertime dust.
Improve Your Bradenton Home’s Indoor Air Quality With MERV Filters
To help keep your family healthy, it pays to install MERV filters to trap particles such as pet dander, dust, mold spores, pollen and bacteria. For moderate filtration, a MERV 10 rating may suffice for your family.
Our MERV experts will help you improve the indoor air quality for your home in Bradenton.
You might be uncertain about what MERV rating to select. No worries! We’ll be happy to consult with you about what level of MERV filtration to use with your particular HVAC equipment, taking into account the amount of particles you need to filter out.
It’s best to rely on HVAC professionals to ensure the correct level of air filtration without restricting air flow or damaging your heating and cooling equipment. We’ll go over the MERV filter ratings with you to meet your particular requirements.
To keep your HVAC system functioning at its peak, we offer seasonal maintenance programs. We’re also standing by if you require emergency filter replacement services.
Get in touch with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning today for a free MERV compatibility assessment for your Bradenton home!
