People move to Tampa, FL, to enjoy the good life, but when you live in a metropolitan community, you may need to use filtration to improve the indoor air quality of your home.
Tampa is a mix of urban and suburban living. Urban homeowners use MERV filters to address contaminants from pollution (such as exhaust spewing out of automobiles), while in the suburbs, people rely on MERV filters to capture an abundance of landscaping particles and pollen.
Now, you may be wondering, what does MERV stand for? It’s short for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.” MERV is a scale that the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) developed to measure the ability of filters to trap tiny contaminants blowing in the air.
The higher the MERV filter rating, the better it is at capturing allergens, dust and pollution, for particles ranging from 0.3 to 10 microns.
At One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, our indoor air quality experts proudly offer a free consultation to help Tampa homeowners figure out the most suitable MERV filter.
Understanding MERV Ratings
Our team created a MERV rating chart to give homeowners in Tampa a better idea of how different MERV filters handle various contaminants.
| MERV Rating | Particles Filtered | Tampa Specific Concerns | Challenges (Static Pressure) |
| 1-4 | Basic dust | Not recommended for Tampa homes | Provides minimal filtration |
| 5-8 | Pollen, dust mites | Minimum for Tampa properties | May not adequately filter finer particles |
| 9-12 | Pet dander, mold spores | Recommended for most Tampa homes | Some HVAC systems may experience reduced airflow or strain. |
| 13-16 | Bacteria, smoke | Ideal for coastal/urban Tampa properties | Higher MERV ratings may restrict airflow and damage HVAC systems if not compatible. |
The term “static pressure” in this chart has to do with a measurement of how much effort the heating, air conditioning and ventilation system requires to move heated or cooled air through your home.
We will consult with you to ensure you select an appropriate MERV-rated filter to boost indoor air quality in your dwelling. For example, we have the knowledge and experience to determine if a 9-12 MERV filter would make your HVAC system struggle to meet demand. MERV filters ranging 13-16 can reduce airflow to the point that your AC system could be damaged.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s experts offer free MERV compatibility assessments. We’ll ensure you have the right filter for your home, taking into account your family’s needs for better air quality indoors.
That is, if anyone under your roof suffers from allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions that are exacerbated by contaminants in the air, we will point you in the right direction for selecting your MERV filters.
Tampa-Specific Considerations
During hurricane season in Tampa, the excessive moisture from storms will encourage mold spores to grow and multiply, which you’ll want to take care of with a MERV filter.
Folks in urban areas face clouds of dust from the many local construction projects as well as contaminants pouring out of the tailpipes of trucks and cars. In the suburbs, more filtration is needed to keep high levels of pollen and landscaping particles from entering your home. Dust levels tend to increase when it’s summer, so homeowners install MERV filters to capture dust as it flows inside.
Technical Implementation
Our MERV rating and airflow experts want to underscore the importance of choosing the right MERV filter for your situation.
For example, Tampa homeowners should remember that during winter, you’ll want to use a lower-rated MERV filter so it doesn’t restrict airflow to the point that it hinders the operation of your furnace.
We are standing by to help determine what MERV rating your furnace can handle.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not answered here, please get in touch with us today and we’ll provide you with all the information you need about MERV filtration.
Will a higher MERV rating make my energy bills go up in Tampa?
Yes. You should assume that your energy bills will increase. All MERV filters restrict airflow. As a result, they make your home’s heating and cooling system work more to deliver hot or cold air through the ducts. Homeowners can consider this potential rise in utility bills as part of the cost of ensuring better indoor air quality.
How often should I change my MERV filter in Tampa’s climate?
As a rule of thumb, we would recommend changing filters every one to two months. But during our free MERV filter compatibility assessment, we’ll be able to give you a better idea of the frequency of changes needed. For example, if you don’t require much filtering, you may change filters every two to three months. Sporadic users of filtration might put in new filters every 90-120 days in Tampa.
However, local conditions and any health concerns you have will influence how often to change MERV filters. Is there a lot of pollen and other allergens in your area? How about construction projects, which dislodge dust that flies into people’s homes?
If you experience higher pollution levels, more frequent MERV filter changes may be called for. Ask your medical provider if you have health concerns associated with indoor air quality, and consult with our experts to create an optimal MERV filter changing schedule.
Can I use the same MERV rating year-round in Florida?
Of course! However, you may be motivated to use different MERV filter ratings each season. When the amount of allergens in the air increases during allergy season, homeowners often prefer to use a higher MERV rating than what they use in winter. To keep your air cleaner by capturing the mold spores that grow from the moisture unleashed by storms during hurricane season in Tampa, you’ll want to consider changing your filter too.
What MERV rating do I need for Florida allergies?
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s experts recommend you select a MERV filter with a rating of 11-13, especially if you experience severe symptoms or if your doctor advises you to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
How do I know if my Tampa home’s AC can handle a MERV 13 filter?
Check details in the HVAC system’s owner’s manual, if it is available. We will come to your home to determine whether your equipment is compatible with MERV 13 filters.
Should I use different MERV ratings during hurricane season?
To preserve air quality at home, choose a MERV 11 filter, which will trap mold spores entering your home after storms.
What’s the best MERV rating for homes near Tampa’s beaches?
At One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, we advise you to install a MERV filter with a rating of 13-16, which will help with coastal airborne particles and salt air.
Do I need a higher MERV rating if I live in downtown Tampa?
Ideally, you will use a higher MERV rating to filter air if you live downtown, since there are more contaminants flowing into the air from vehicular pollution, along with dust from construction projects.
How do MERV ratings affect my Florida home’s humidity control?
An AC system controls humidity inside the home by cooling the air. If you use a higher-rated MERV filter that significantly restricts airflow, your air conditioning equipment may be unable to control humidity adequately. We’ll advise you during a free consultation about the most suitable filter for you. Contact us for details.
What’s the difference between MERV and HEPA filters for Florida homes?
A HEPA filter, used to trap viruses and other tiny airborne particles, has a MERV rating of at least 17.
Seasonal Considerations FAQs
It’s good to become acquainted with how the different MERV filter ratings capture contaminants according to the season.
Here’s a Tampa seasonal guide to give you an overview:
- Hurricane Season (June-November)
Install a MERV 11 filter when it’s hurricane season in Tampa. You want this filtration to capture dirt, dust and mold spores that fill the air in the aftermath of storms.
- Winter (December-February)
Select a MERV 8 filter to enable your home’s furnace to keep up with heating demands. This lower rating catches particles in the air without reducing airflow so much that the furnace can’t operate properly.
- Spring Allergy Season (March-May)
Use a filter with a MERV rating of 11-13 to trap more particles of pollen, mold and other allergens as soon as allergy season arrives.
- Summer (June-August)
With more dust circulating in Tampa during the summer, we advise you to install a MERV 11 filter. Your lungs will feel the difference when you improve indoor air quality.
Connect With the MERV Filter Professionals at One Hour Today
We know the needs of Tampa homeowners using advanced filters to remove contaminants from the air indoors. Our technicians will give you a free MERV compatibility assessment, and consult with you about Tampa air quality and how it affects your home.
What’s more, you can count on us when you require emergency filter replacement services.
And to help keep your HVAC system operating at its best, we encourage you to participate in One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s seasonal maintenance programs.
For details, or to request your free MERV filter consultation in Tampa, contact us today!