In Jacksonville, FL, homeowners who want to do something to improve their indoor air quality should use filters with suitable MERV ratings. These advanced filters are good at capturing small particles in the air, such as pollution, dust and allergies.
Since much of Jacksonville is urban, you need to protect your family from the pollution typical of metropolitan regions. This includes the contaminants spilling into the air from vehicular traffic, as well as the large amounts of dust and other particles that flow out of the ongoing construction activities.
But if you’re uncertain about which MERV filter to use during each season in Jacksonville, you’ll be glad to know that the experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning offer a free MERV compatibility assessment for Jacksonville homes.
Our free consultation will help you learn your best options for boosting indoor air quality, which is of particular concern to families with allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues.
Your first question may be, “What does MERV mean on air filters?” Put simply, MERV stands for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.” The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) created the MERV scale to help categorize air filters according to how good a job they do at capturing particles (such as pollution and pollen), focusing on particles ranging from 0.3 microns to 10 microns.
Understanding MERV Ratings
Here’s insight into MERV filtration and MERV ratings.
What is the range of MERV ratings? This MERV rating chart will help you understand the level of filtration you can expect from different filters for your Jacksonville abode.
| MERV Rating | Particles Filtered | Jacksonville Specific Concerns | Challenges (Static Pressure) |
| 1-4 | Basic dust | Not recommended for Jacksonville homes | Provides minimal filtration |
| 5-8 | Pollen, dust mites | Minimum for Jacksonville properties | May not adequately filter finer particles |
| 9-12 | Pet dander, mold spores | Recommended for most Jacksonville homes | Some HVAC systems may experience reduced airflow or strain. |
| 13-16 | Bacteria, smoke | Ideal for coastal/urban Jacksonville properties | Higher MERV ratings may restrict airflow and damage HVAC systems if not compatible. |
Keep in mind that higher MERV ratings indicate filters with smaller holes to capture smaller particles in the air. Some AC systems in Jacksonville are not so compatible with higher MERV filter ratings.
You don’t have to sort out this information on your own. As a service to our customers, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning provides a free MERV compatibility assessment for Jacksonville homeowners. Call us today for details!
Jacksonville-Specific Considerations
During allergy season or when hurricanes occur, you’ll want to use a higher MERV filter rating. Families living in urban areas, prone to pollution from manufacturing and construction dust as well as contaminants from vehicle exhaust, need stronger MERV filters to maintain good indoor air quality.
We will listen to your concerns to help determine the most appropriate MERV rating for filtering air in your Jacksonville home during each season.
A household where no one has asthma, allergies or other medical conditions may not need the same level of filtration as in homes where people cannot tolerate pollution and other contaminants in the air.
Technical Implementation
It’s important to recognize there is a relationship between airflow and a filter’s MERV rating. Our experts will assess your system and needs, to advise you on your best options for filtration to promote better indoor air quality.
What MERV Rating Can My Furnace Handle in Jacksonville?
After we inspect your HVAC equipment (AC and furnace), and examine the owner’s manual (if available), we’ll guide you about specific MERV filter ratings during each season. For now, you can assume a MERV 13 filter will be a good option when running your furnace in Jacksonville, giving you good filtration without putting much of a strain on the heating equipment.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About MERV Filters for Jacksonville Homes
Will a higher MERV rating make my energy bills go up in Jacksonville, FL?
Yes. When using MERV filters with higher ratings, your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment will need to work harder to push air through the filter’s holes, which are smaller than in filters with lower ratings.
How often should I change my MERV filter in Jacksonville’s climate?
The frequency at which you change your MERV filter depends on variables such as how much pollution or other contaminants are near your home, as well as what season it is.
During hurricane season, the added moisture encourages mold growth, so you’ll want to change filters more often. The same goes for allergy season, if you need to clean the air when pollen counts skyrocket. People with allergies or asthma generally will change filters more often than those who don’t have medical concerns about the air in their home.
As a rule of thumb, change MERV filters every month or two months in summer and winter. Homeowners who don’t need as much filtration can swap out MERV filters every 60 to 90 days. If you use it sporadically, we may recommend that you change filters every three to four months.
But there’s no need for you to rely on guesswork. The indoor air quality experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning are standing by to help. We are ready to provide you with a Jacksonville air quality consultation.
Can I use the same MERV rating year-round in Florida?
It’s okay to use the same MERV rating filter 365 days a year in Florida. But keep in mind that during allergy season, you may want to use a higher-rated filter than in winter.
And when there is more moisture in the environment during hurricane season, you may prefer to use a higher MERV rating to filter out mold spores that grow after storms hit Florida.
During winter, we recommend using a filter with a lower MERV rating (such as MERV 8) since higher MERV rating filters make the furnace work harder than usual to push heated air through the system.
What MERV rating do I need for Florida allergies?
For better quality air during allergy season in Florida, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning advocates using a MERV filter with a rating of 11-13, which will do a better job at capturing pollen and mold.
How do I know if my Jacksonville, FL home’s AC can handle a MERV 13 filter?
Every HVAC system is different, so it’s best to check the owner’s manual about your system’s specifications. However, if you don’t have access to the manual, our technicians will check if your system is compatible with a MERV filter with a 13 rating.
Should I use different MERV ratings during hurricane season?
Our experts note that a MERV 11 filter will suffice to improve indoor air quality during hurricane season in Florida, handling mold and other contaminants spread by stormy weather.
What’s the best MERV rating for homes near Jacksonville’s beaches?
Jacksonville is a short drive from Jacksonville Beach. If you are concerned about salty air from the ocean, which can affect the amount of filtration you need to improve indoor air quality, we suggest a MERV filter of 13-16.
Do I need a higher MERV rating if I live in downtown Jacksonville?
It’s good to use a filter with a higher MERV rating when you live downtown, since there will be more pollution and other contaminants in the air, such as from heavy traffic with commuters and delivery vehicles.
Since there is more construction in concentrated downtown areas than in the suburbs, you will want to filter out all the dust and particles generated during construction work.
How do MERV ratings affect my Florida home’s humidity control?
Because MERV filters with higher ratings (13-16) make it harder for HVAC systems to push heated or cooled air through your home, your equipment must work harder to provide relief from high humidity. An expert technician from One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will provide a free consultation to determine a good compromise between air filtration and humidity control.
What’s the difference between MERV and HEPA filters for Florida homes?
For comparison, HEPA filters are made to filter out viruses and other small particles. Accordingly, all HEPA filters come with at least a 17 MERV rating.
Seasonal Considerations FAQs
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning recommends you use different MERV filters based on what season it is.
Here’s a Jacksonville, FL seasonal guide to using MERV filtration:
- Hurricane Season (June-November)
Install a MERV 11 filter, which will be good for trapping mold spores, dirt and dust stirred up during powerful storms when it’s hurricane season.
- Winter (December-February)
We suggest you put in a MERV 8 filter in your Jacksonville dwelling during winter. This should trap pollution and other contaminants but not restrict airflow so much that it hinders the operation of your furnace.
- Spring Allergy Season (March-May)
When it’s allergy season in Jacksonville, install a MERV 11-13 filter. The higher the rating, the better your filter will be at trapping tiny pollen and mold particles that make breathing unpleasant for sensitive individuals.
- Summer (June-August)
To address the higher amount of dust blowing through the air during summer in Jacksonville, you can install a MERV 11 filter to improve the air inside your house.
Need Help With MERV Filters for Your Jacksonville Home? Get in Touch With One Hour Today!
It’s not always easy for homeowners to figure out what MERV filter rating to choose for their desired level of indoor air quality, especially as the seasons change or when allergies or hurricanes are affecting your family.
Our experienced HVAC technicians will consult with you and guide you on the most suitable MERV filters throughout the year.
And if you need emergency replacement of your MERV filters, we’re ready to help. To reduce the total cost of ownership of your system, our team offers seasonal maintenance programs designed to catch small HVAC problems while they’re easier and less expensive to fix and to keep your equipment running at its best.
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, please connect with us today!