Furnace Filters - Merv Ratings

http://www.asiheatingandair.com

1. Define MERV rating?Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value
2. MERV ratings are a method of determining the efficiency of an air filter used with heating and air conditioning equipment. The efficiency is determined by adding particles of varying sizes (1-12) into a controlled testing environment. The particles are added upstream of the test filter and a laser particle counter samples the air before it enters the filter and after it leaves the filter. The two particle counts are compared to calculate the Particle Size Efficiency of the tested filter. Once this is determined, a MERV Parameters chart is used to determine the MERV rating.
3. MERV ratings range from 1 - 16 and measurements are in microns. Some of the common particles related to MERV ratings are household dust, pet dander, viruses, tobacco smoke, mold spores, bacteria and pollen.
4. The most common filters found in homes today have a MERV rating of 1 to 4. Typically these are disposable fiberglass filters purchased from a big box store and do not do a good job of air filtration because they don’t stop particles smaller than 10 microns. Improper air filtration can lead to air conditioner and/or furnace problems as well as poor indoor air quality.
5. Merv 5 to 8 rated filters are a better choice. These filters will not only keep your equipment running clean and efficient when properly maintained, they also do a better job of filtering smaller dust particles (as small as 3 microns) that trigger symptoms with allergy sufferers. Filter replacement it is recommended a minimum of one time per season depending on usage. If your air filter becomes clogged up with dirt and other indoor pollutants they will decrease the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system leading to wasted energy and may cause damage or premature breakdown to your heating and air conditioning equipment.
6. Filters with a MERV rating of 9 to 12 are considered high-efficiency filters and capture particulate in the 1 to 3 micron range. These filters are a great choice for home owners who want the best air filtration at an affordable price. Much like the higher rated MERV 5-8 filters, these filters should also be replaced at regular intervals to avoid wasted energy, premature repairs or breakdown to your heating and air conditioning equipment.
7. The most efficient filters have MERV ratings of 13 to 16 (HEPA air filter) and will stop particles as small as .3 microns. These filters are hospital grade and have been adapted for use in residential applications. Super high efficiency air filters should be installed by a professional heating and air conditioning contractor. Improper installations could lead to severe damage to your furnace or air conditioner.
8. Some of the benefits of using a high-efficiency air filter are energy savings, allergy and asthma relief (in many cases), longer equipment life, cleaner home, less need for repainting and furniture cleaning.

Recalled Furnaces Still Starting Fires

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC Announces Recall of Furnaces in California

Although this recall occured in Sept. 2000, ASI heating and Air technicians regularly find recalled furnaces still being used today. Don't trust your familys safety to the "Handyman" have a properly trained and certified service technician look at your gas furnace to assure it is safe to operate.

NOTE: Opportunity for remedy from litigation has expired.

CPSC has received more than 50 reports of fires associated with the 140,000 horizontal furnaces manufactured by Consolidated Industries Inc.

Private labelers sold these furnaces in California under the following brand names and model numbers, which are written on a label on an outside panel of the furnace.

CPSC issued a safety alert warning about these furnaces in September 2000. Consolidated Industries (formerly Premier Furnace Co.), which was liquidated under Chapter 7 bankruptcy laws, manufactured approximately 140,000 of these furnaces for sale in California between 1983 and 1994 under many different brand names. About 110,000 of these furnaces were manufactured and distributed under the Premier/Consolidated labels.They include the brand names Consolidated, Premier, Addison, and Weatherking. They are not covered by this recall program. After Consolidated filed for bankruptcy, class action was pursued, and a settlement was ultimately reached in early 2002. However, claimants were required to file a claim by January 13, 2003. Potential claimants who missed the deadline have no remedy available. Even though no remedy is available, CPSC staff believes that the Consolidated, Premier, Addison, and Weatherking furnaces are defective and should be replaced.

These furnaces are normally installed in attics, although some may be installed in crawl spaces. The great majority of these furnaces were installed in homes in California. Some, however, were installed in home in Nevada, near the California border.

The Commission is warning consumers to have their gas-fired furnaces inspected by a licensed heating contractor to determine whether the furnaces are subject to this safety alert. The contractor also should determine whether the burners and/or heat exchangers of units are damaged, or whether wood under or near the furnaces shows signs of damage, such as charring or blackening. If this is the case, the furnace should be replaced immediately.

COMPANY NAME // TRADE NAME //

MODELS

Amana Company // Amana //

GSE50DN3X

GSE75DN3X

GSE100DN5X

Bard Manufacturing // Bard //

ESG040D36B
ESG050D36B
ESG060D36B
ESG060D48B
ESG080D60B
ESG100D60B
ESG120D60B
ESG140D60B
ESG050D36D
ESG060D48D
ESG075D48D
ESG080D60D
ESG100D60D
ISG060D36AX
ISG080D48AX
ISG100D60AX
ISG120D60AX

Carrier Corporation // Sunburst by Carrier Southern California //

HAC 040N(D,E, or F)3RXC
HAC 050N(D,E, or F)5RXC
HAC 050ND3RXD
HAC 060N(D,E, or F)4RXC
HAC 075N(D,E, or F)4RXC
HAC 080N(D,E, or F)5RXC
HAC 100N(D,E, or F)5RXC

Goettl Air Conditioning Inc. // American Best Goettl //

HAC 040N(D,E, or F)3RCX
HAC 050N(D,E, or F)3RCX
HAC 040N(D,E, or F)3RXD
HAC 050N(D,E, or F)3RXD
HAC 040N(D,E, or F)3RXC
HAC 050N(D,E, or F)3RXC
HAC 060N(D,E, or F)4RXC
HAC 075N(D,E, or F)4RXC
HAC 080N(D,E, or F)5RXC
HAC 100N(D,E, or F)5RXC
HCC 040N(D,E, or F)3RX
HCC 050N(D,E, or F)3RX
HCC 060N(D,E, or F)4RX
HCC 075N(D,E, or F)4RX
HCC 100N(D,E, or F)5RX
HBA 040N(D,E, or F)3RX
HBA 060N(D,E, or F)3RX
HBA 080N(D,E, or F)4RX
HBA 100N(D,E, or F)5RX
HBA 120N(D,E, or F)5RX

Goodman Manufacturing Company// Franklin Electric; Goodman; GMC; Hamilton Electric; Janitrol; Johnstone; Liberty //

HBA 040 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HBA 060 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HBA 080 ND 4(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HBA 100 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HBA 120 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCA 040 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCA 060 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCA 080 ND 4(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCA 100 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCA 120 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCA 140 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCC 040 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCC 050 ND 3(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCC 060 ND 4(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCC 075 ND 4(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCC 080 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)
HCC 100 ND 5(X, RX, XC or RXC)

Heat Controller Inc. // Comfort-Aire //

GSH40-T3N-X
GSH50-T3N-X
GSH60-T4N-X
GSH75-T4N-X
GSH80-T5N-X
GSH100-T5N-X

The Trane Company //Trane American Standard //

THN050A936A
THN060A948A
THN075A948A
THN100A960A