If you’re concerned about maintaining good indoor air quality in your Daytona, FL home, this article will help you understand MERV filters and their ratings. And if any questions you have are not answered here, please contact the MERV rating experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning for guidance. We offer a free MERV filter consultation to help ensure your indoor air quality is at its best.
Daytona, FL, is home to the world’s most famous beach, where approximately 500,000 residents and 10 million visitors come for the pleasant climate, recreational opportunities and excellent education. Folks also love attending the Daytona 500, often referred to as the “Great American Race.”
Because Daytona is on the coast, homeowners should be aware that its salt air can leave deposits that will clog your HVAC ducts and air filters. People living in urban areas of metropolitan Daytona also need to filter contaminants from air pollution, such as from vehicular traffic and construction work.
And when hurricanes hit Daytona, be prepared that the huge amount of moisture deposited in the region makes it easier for mold to grow. Mold negatively affects indoor air quality. It’s prudent to install appropriate air filtration with the right MERV filter rating for your household’s comfort and health. This is especially true for elderly folks and anyone with health issues, such as allergies and asthma.
What does MERV mean on air filters? MERV is a measurement scale devised by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). It stands for “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.”
The engineers at ASHRAE created the MERV scale to categorize air filters in terms of their effectiveness in trapping tiny particles floating in the air. Essentially, higher MERV ratings mean a filter is better at capturing pollutants (specifically particles from 0.3 to 10 microns in diameter).
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s HVAC technicians are experts on Daytona’s climate and what homeowners need to filter the air in their dwellings.
Understanding MERV Ratings
What is the range of MERV ratings? Here’s a MERV rating chart with an overview of MERV ratings, to help you determine which MERV filter is the most appropriate for your family.
| MERV Rating | Particles Filtered | Daytona Specific Concerns | Challenges (Static Pressure) |
| 1-4 | Basic dust | Not recommended for Daytona homes | Provides minimal filtration |
| 5-8 | Pollen, dust mites | Minimum for Daytona properties | May not adequately filter finer particles |
| 9-12 | Pet dander, mold spores | Recommended for most Daytona homes | Some HVAC systems may experience reduced airflow or strain. |
| 13-16 | Bacteria, smoke | Ideal for coastal/urban Daytona properties | Higher MERV ratings may restrict airflow and damage HVAC systems if not compatible. |
But before you select a higher MERV rating filter, it’s best to consult with us first. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning will send an expert HVAC technician to evaluate your home and indoor air quality needs.
We want to verify that a higher-rated MERV filter won’t strain your furnace or air conditioning system excessively. Otherwise, airflow will be restricted, impairing the equipment’s ability to keep your home safe and comfortable.
Daytona, FL Specific Considerations
The Daytona coastal environment means homeowners experience high humidity and salty air blowing from the ocean, which can corrode HVAC equipment and clog your air filters and ducts. You also want to factor in the need to filter out construction dust and other contaminants if your home is located in an urban area, especially because of vehicular pollution.
Technical Implementation
Homeowners in Daytona should be aware of the relationship between a filter’s MERV rating and airflow. We’ll help you understand the connection and will recommend the most appropriate filter to install.
What MERV Rating Can My Daytona Home’s Furnace Handle?
The indoor air quality professionals at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning need to come to your home and inspect your heating and air conditioning system. We’ll also review the owner’s manual from the manufacturer, to know which MERV filter rating is best for your home.
Generally speaking, a MERV 13 filter will likely be sufficient to work with most Daytona homes’ furnaces, capturing pollutants but keeping the air flowing freely.
Frequently Asked Questions About MERV Filters for Daytona Residents
Here are answers to some of the most common questions we get from customers calling to ask about MERV filtration in Daytona, FL:
Will a higher MERV rating make my energy bills go up in Daytona, FL?
Yes, you can anticipate that your HVAC system will work a bit harder to push air through the MERV filters, since it has to flow through smaller holes than in lower-rated filters.
How often should I change my MERV filter in Daytona’s climate?
This depends on how much pollution or salty air is in your area. If a medical professional diagnoses anyone under your roof with allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions that are triggered by poor indoor air quality, we’ll recommend you swap out filters at a faster rate. But usually, we’ll advise you to change MERV filters once every month or two months during winter and summer.
If you don’t use air filtration very often, we may recommend that you put in new MERV filters every two to three months. Those who use MERV filtration less often can get by with changing filters on a 90 to 120-day basis.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning’s indoor air quality experts will be happy to help you plan how often to change your MERV filters for best results.
Can I use the same MERV rating year-round in Florida?
It is perfectly fine to use the same air filter MERV rating throughout the year. But when it’s allergy season or when mold is growing after hurricane season, we would usually suggest you use MERV filters with higher ratings than what you use during winter. Low MERV ratings are good when you’re using your furnace to avoid straining the equipment.
What MERV rating do I need for Florida allergies?
Our technicians recommend you install a MERV 11 or 13 filter to trap mold and pollen when allergy season arrives.
How do I know if my Daytona home’s AC can handle a MERV 13 filter?
Consult the air conditioner manufacturer’s owner’s manual. If the manual is unavailable or you’re not sure about interpreting it, contact us today. One of our indoor air quality professionals will determine if your equipment will work with a MERV 13 filter.
Should I use different MERV ratings during hurricane season?
You can get proper indoor air filtration by using a MERV filter with an 11 rating when hurricanes hit the area. This level of filtration should be sufficient to address debris and mold that come with storms.
What’s the best MERV rating for homes near Daytona’s beaches?
It’s best for coastal homeowners in Daytona to install air filters with a MERV rating of 13-16, since you have to deal with a higher level of salty air.
Do I need a higher MERV rating if I live in downtown Daytona?
Select the highest MERV rating for filtering air when you live downtown. Think of all of the contaminants in the air from vehicles’ tailpipes, and the particles that fly around during busy construction work.
How do MERV ratings affect my Florida home’s humidity control?
Remember that MERV filters with ratings 13-16 tend to restrict airflow, so your HVAC system will have to work harder to eliminate humidity. During your free consultation with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, we will figure out a good balance of humidity control and filtration for you and your family.
What’s the difference between MERV and HEPA filters for Florida homes?
Folks who need to filter viruses and other smaller particles rely on HEPA filters to safeguard their health. HEPA filters have MERV ratings of at least 17.
Seasonal Considerations FAQs in Daytona, FL
Ideally, you will install different MERV-rated filters to purify the air in your home according to the season it is. There are distinct differences in air quality from winter to summer in Daytona.
Seasonal Guide for MERV in Daytona
- Hurricane Season (June-November)
Select a MERV filter with an 11 rating to capture dust, dirt and mold spores that come from fierce hurricane winds.
- Winter (December-February)
It’s best to use a MERV 8 filter to improve the quality of the air in your Daytona home during the region’s moderate winters. You’ll still capture pollutants while ensuring your furnace is straining to keep up with demand.
- Spring Allergy Season (March-May)
Use a MERV filter with a rating of 11 or 13 in Daytona when allergy season begins. Higher MERV filters do better at trapping more particles (mold and pollen).
- Summer (June-August)
A MERV filter of 11 will suffice to purify air as dust blows in the wind at summertime.
Contact One Hour Today for Help Using the Right MERV Filter for your Daytona Home
We’re known in the area for our expertise in helping homeowners improve their indoor air quality throughout the year. From capturing mold spores during hurricane season to trapping pollen and other allergens during allergy season, we’re standing by to assist.
We offer a free MERV compatibility assessment for Daytona homeowners. You can begin with a MERV 10 filter if you need moderate filtration. We’re ready to consult with you on the most appropriate air filtration for your home. And we won’t leave you hanging when there’s an emergency that requires fast replacement of your MERV filters.
To keep your HVAC system functioning at its best, we provide seasonal maintenance programs.
Contact us today for a free consultation or to answer any questions about MERF filters!