While Melbourne, FL, is a pleasant place to live and work, homeowners face unique air quality challenges that prompt many to look for advanced filtration solutions. They contend with pollution, for example, which is more prevalent in urban regions. And during allergy season, homeowners want to boost their indoor air quality by filtering out pollen and other allergens.
What’s more, moisture deposited by storms during hurricane season promotes the growth of harmful mold spores.
When you consider these factors, it makes sense to look into using filters with MERV ratings. At One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re proud to offer our customers a free MERV compatibility assessment for their Melbourne homes.
What does MERV stand for? The MERV scale, created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), refers to “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.”
The ASHRAE engineers use the scale for categorizing air filters according to how well they can capture small particles in the air. The higher the MERV rating, the better it is at removing contaminants from the air. Their focus is on particles ranging in size from 0.3 microns to 10 microns.
Understanding MERV Ratings
We created this MERV rating chart to give you a better idea of what MERV filters will be suitable for improving your Melbourne home’s indoor air quality.
| MERV Rating | Particles Filtered | Melbourne Specific Concerns | Challenges (Static Pressure) |
| 1-4 | Basic dust | Not recommended for Melbourne homes | Provides minimal filtration |
| 5-8 | Pollen, dust mites | Minimum for Melbourne properties | May not adequately filter finer particles |
| 9-12 | Pet dander, mold spores | Recommended for most Melbourne homes | Some HVAC systems may experience reduced airflow or strain. |
| 13-16 | Bacteria, smoke | Ideal for coastal/urban Melbourne properties | Higher MERV ratings may restrict airflow and damage HVAC systems if not compatible. |
Bear in mind that filters with higher MERV ratings can restrict the flow of air, which may make your AC and heating system struggle to keep up with demand. The experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will give you a free Melbourne air quality consultation, ensuring you’ll have sufficient air filtration in place.
Melbourne, FL-Specific Considerations
Your location in Florida will influence what MERV rating filter to install for better indoor air quality.
Living in an urban environment, Melbourne residents have to consider the significant levels of pollution, such as exhaust from traffic, and dust that construction sites emit into the air while tearing down or creating new structures.
It’s important to remember that because Melbourne is at a high risk for hurricanes, you need good air filtration. That’s because all the moisture released by these powerful storms will encourage mold to grow. Using a filter with a high MERV rating can protect your family from mold spores.
And during allergy season, sensitive individuals with respiratory problems (including allergies and asthma) will feel better when they use filters to capture floating allergens in the air. Salty air from the coast can corrode HVAC system’s metal parts, as well as clog filters, so it’s prudent to consult with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning about your air filter options.
Technical Implementation
The higher your filter’s MERV rating, the more it will tend to restrict airflow. We’ll advise you on balancing MERV filter ratings with the need to keep air moving and not make your HVAC equipment struggle.
We often receive inquiries from customers about “what MERV rating can my furnace handle?”
The short answer is that a MERV 13 filter should suffice to work with your home’s furnace. But a technician from One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning should check out your equipment and read the furnace manufacturer’s owner’s manual to verify if it’s suitable to use a filter with a MERV 13 rating. If airflow is reduced too much because of the filter, your furnace may not be able to reliably deliver the heat you need.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Answers Frequently Asked Questions About MERV Ratings for Melbourne Homeowners
Will a higher MERV rating make my energy bills go up in Melbourne?
Generally, you should expect your utility bills to climb when you use a filter with a higher MERV rating. With air flowing through the filter’s smaller holes, the HVAC equipment will need to work harder than usual, which consumes more power.
How often should I change my MERV filter in Melbourne’s climate?
There is no single answer to this question. As a rule of thumb, you can change filters every 30 to 60 days. Homeowners who don’t require as much filtration can change their filters every 60 to 90 days. Sporadic use of MERV filtration can mean you will get by with changing the filters every three to four months.
Here are some other considerations: Salty air from the coast can clog your filter, necessitating more frequent changes. If you are dealing with allergies, it’s best to swap out filters more often during allergy season in Melbourne.
Consult your healthcare provider if you have concerns about how much filtration you need for members of your family suffering from asthma, allergies or other respiratory ailments. You may learn that you’ll need to change filters more often than a neighbor who does not have breathing issues.
Can I use the same MERV rating year-round in Florida?
Certainly! However, it may be a good idea to use a filter with a higher MERV rating during allergy season. When hurricane season occurs, be ready with higher-rated MERV filters to capture health-affecting spores that grow more as the environment becomes wetter from storms.
At One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, we recommend that during winter, Melbourne homeowners use a MERV filter with a lower rating than what they use in the summer.
What MERV rating do I need for Florida allergies?
For best results, we suggest you use a filter with a MERV rating of 11-13, to ensure you capture as much pollen and mold as possible.
How do I know if my Melbourne home’s AC can handle a MERV 13 filter?
First, look at the owner’s manual. But if you don’t have this manual or cannot find the specifications, give us a call, and one of our MERV filter experts will verify if your AC is compatible with level 13 filtration.
Should I use different MERV ratings during hurricane season?
Select a filter with a MERV 11 rating to address the mold spores that typically increase in the aftermath of storms.
What’s the best MERV rating for homes near Melbourne’s beaches?
While life near the ocean is beautiful, the damaging effects of salt air blowing off the coast can corrode HVAC systems and clog filters. We would advise you to select a MERV 13-16 filter and may recommend that you change filters more frequently.
Do I need a higher MERV rating if I live in downtown Melbourne?
Yes. There is more pollution in the downtown area, such as from trucks delivering items and commuters emitting exhaust from their tailpipes. And as construction activity continues downtown, there will be a higher level of dust thrown into the air.
These contaminants should prompt you to select a filter with a higher MERV rating. Contact us for a free consultation, to help you decide the best filter for your location and the health and comfort requirements of your family.
How do MERV ratings affect my Florida home’s humidity control?
MERV filters with higher ratings will make it harder for your HVAC equipment to move air through the house. As a result, you can anticipate that the system will be less effective at controlling humidity. Our MERV experts will go over the details with you to verify you’ll get the filtration you need for better indoor air quality without compromising on reducing humidity in your Melbourne home.
What’s the difference between MERV and HEPA filters for Florida homes?
HEPA filters capture viruses and other small particles, and they have a MERV rating of at least 17.
Seasonal Considerations for Melbourne Homeowners
Our indoor air quality experts have developed this handy guide for filtration concerns during each season in Melbourne.
- Hurricane Season (June-November)
Install a filter with a MERV rating of 11, which will improve the air you breathe by capturing mold, dirt and dust from the storms.
- Winter (December-February)
Select a filter with a MERV 8 rating during winter to trap contaminants but still allow sufficient airflow so you can operate your furnace comfortably.
- Spring Allergy Season (March-May)
If you suffer from allergies in Melbourne, put in a filter with a MERV rating of 11-13. Higher-rated MERV filters do better at capturing mold, pollen and other annoying allergens.
- Summer (June-August)
The dust that flies around more during summer will play havoc with your home’s indoor air quality, which you can solve by selecting a filter with a MERV rating of 11.
Get in Touch With the MERV Filter Experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Today!
We know it can seem complicated to figure out what MERV rating you should select for your Melbourne home’s air filtration needs. No worries! Our indoor air quality experts will help you figure out which filter is best for your particular situation, during each season.
And we’re here to help keep your HVAC system operating at maximum efficiency, thanks to our seasonal maintenance programs. If you find yourself needing a MERV filter changed, we’ll come over to provide emergency filter replacement services as soon as possible.
You’ll want to take advantage of our free MERV compatibility assessment for your Melbourne home. Do you have any questions, or are you ready to make an appointment for service? Please get in touch with us today!