The air quality in a home is important for its inhabitants to continue to live a healthy life. Homeowners should strive for a cleaner and better atmosphere inside their residences. One step of doing this is securing the right air filters for you and your family. The appropriate choice would give provide air you could be confident to breathe in. Air filters vary in kind and in its effectivity. Given the number of options on the market, you should know the factors when choosing a filter. MERV Rating This is a classification system made by ASHRAE. The purpose of the MERV rating is to classify the different types of filters. It's rating depends on how effective it is in trapping different particles. These ratings range from 1 to 20, with 14 to 20 being in medical settings. Categories 1 to 4 are the most common, yet the most ineffective. MERV 8 to 13, are the best choices for homes. If you want a better home environment, you should refer to MERV Ratings when deciding what air filter to use. Each number implies the filters capability to strain out certain particles. Familiarize with each rating and their capabilities. For example, the presence of pets or animals would change the MERV rating you would need. You would have to go for air filters with a MERV rating of 5 or higher to keep out their dander.