Choosing HVAC Air Filters for Your Business

When it comes to choosing a commercial air filter or filtration system, there are many variables that must be considered. Generally, choosing HVAC air filters can be simplified by first defining the overall goal that you are looking to achieve. Is the purpose of your commercial air filter to protect the air circulation equipment, or is it to provide a better environment for the occupants of your building? Before making any filtration changes or upgrades, it’s important to understand how a HVAC unit can serve the needs of a business.

Air Filter Efficiency

HVAC air filters are rated based on a Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV). The higher the number (1-16), the more particulate matter it removes from the air. Generally, commercial facilities benefit from MERV 8-10. However, High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration ranges from 17-20 MERV. These filters are for specialized filtrations such as hospitals to present the spread of diseases. Increasing the HVAC filtration efficiency, though, typically results in higher pressure drops.

If Your Goal is to Keep Equipment Cleaner

First, identify the MERV level of your existing HVAC air filters. For example, if you have a MERV 6 filter, the filtration rate can be increased by 70% by switching to a MERV 8 filter. This will keep equipment cleaner and in turn, maintain better efficiency.

If Your Goal is Cleaner Air for Building Occupants

To provide cleaner air for building occupants, we recommend HVAC air filters with a MERV rating of at least 13. A filter with this rate will remove 90% of particles in the air from 1 to 10 microns in size. However, MERV 14 filters are the minimum standard of care in medical facilities, as airborne particles can spread disease to patients, visitors and employees.

Whatever Your Goal, Greenleaf Filtration Has a Solution

As the leading HVAC air filter supplier in Richmond, we offer products that represent only the latest in commercial and industrial air filter technology. Before making any filter changes to your HVAC system, we recommend contacting one of our experts to evaluate the feasibility of the change in your facility.