MERV-13. Done Right.
A MERV-13 filter captures pollen, mold spores, smoke, and most refinery particulate. Done right, it transforms your indoor air without hurting your AC. Done wrong (a MERV-13 in a 1-inch slot), it chokes your blower and burns up motors. We install 4-inch and 5-inch media cabinets sized to your ductwork and verified with a static-pressure test.
- 4-inch and 5-inch cabinets
- Static pressure tested
- Filter changes once or twice a year
- Comfort Club covers filters
What's included in a MERV-13 Filtration
The filter you can buy at a hardware store is rarely the right answer. The cabinet matters. Here is what we install and why.
4-inch media cabinet
A 4-inch deep media cabinet (typically 16x25 or 20x25 face area) holds a pleated MERV-13 filter with about 4x the surface area of a 1-inch filter. Lower static pressure, longer filter life, and effective filtration. The standard upgrade we install in most Pearland homes.
5-inch media cabinet
For larger systems and homes that want maximum filtration. 5-inch cabinets accept MERV-13 to MERV-16 filters and last 9 to 12 months between changes. The right call for high-volume air handlers.
Cabinet sized to airflow
A media cabinet undersized for your CFM (cubic feet per minute) chokes the system. We measure airflow, calculate face velocity, and select a cabinet face area that keeps pressure drop below 0.15 inches of water column at MERV-13.
Static pressure test before and after
We measure total external static pressure before and after install. The new filter should not push the system past the manufacturer's rated max. If it does, we resize.
Sealed cabinet install
Mastic-sealed cabinet so air does not bypass the filter. About half the cabinets we replace had air bypass that made the filter pointless. We seal every joint.
Filter delivery and tracking
Comfort Club members get filters delivered with annual maintenance, swapped during the visit. No more remembering to order them.
Reasons to upgrade to MERV-13
Most Pearland homes ship with a 1-inch MERV-8 filter. That stops big dust but lets pollen and smoke right through. MERV-13 is the recommended residential standard for healthier indoor air.
- Currently using a 1-inch fiberglass or low-MERV filter
- Visible dust on furniture within days of cleaning
- Allergy or asthma symptoms indoors
- Smoker in the household, or pets
- Live near refineries, the freeway, or wooded areas
- Recent renovation with construction dust or VOC concerns
- Want to extend the life of your AC by reducing coil dirt loading
How a visit works
Five steps. No surprises. Same on your first call as your fiftieth.
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Inspect ductwork and existing filter slot
A technician measures your air handler dimensions, checks airflow capacity, and confirms what cabinet will fit. Most installs land in standard 16x25 or 20x25 sizes.
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Cabinet install
Old filter slot replaced or supplemented with a 4-inch or 5-inch cabinet, mastic-sealed, hinged door for easy filter access. About 2 to 3 hours.
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Static pressure verification
We measure pressure at the air handler before and after. Numbers go on a printed report.
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First filter installed and labeled
You leave with the cabinet labeled (filter size, MERV, install date) and the next change date written on it. Comfort Club members get filters as part of membership.
What Pearland neighbors are saying
"They installed a 4-inch MERV-13 cabinet and showed me the static pressure readings before and after. We went from a constantly-dusty house to almost nothing showing up between cleanings. Worth every dollar."
"The filter we had been buying at the hardware store was actually too restrictive for our system. They installed a proper cabinet with the right filter, and our blower runs quieter and the AC is colder."
"Comfort Club delivers the filters and they swap them during the maintenance visits. No more forgetting."
Frequently asked
How much does a MERV-13 cabinet install cost?
Installed prices: 4-inch cabinet with first filter, $649. 5-inch cabinet with first filter, $849. Replacement filters $40 to $75 depending on size and brand.
Why not just put a MERV-13 in my existing 1-inch slot?
Because it will choke your air handler. A 1-inch MERV-13 has 4x the pressure drop of the 1-inch MERV-8 it replaced. Your blower will work harder, run longer, and burn up sooner. The new motor will cost you more than the cabinet upgrade. The MERV rating is real, but the cabinet has to be sized for it.
How often do MERV-13 filters need to be changed?
4-inch filters typically last 6 to 9 months in Pearland. 5-inch filters 9 to 12 months. Smokers, pets, or recent construction shorten that. We suggest a quick visual check at 3 months for the first year so you learn your home's loading rate.
Will it really make a difference?
Yes. Most customers notice less dust accumulation within 2 weeks. Allergy and asthma symptoms typically improve within 3 to 4 weeks as cumulative load drops. Refinery particulate is dramatically reduced.
Will it hurt my AC system?
Not when sized correctly. The whole point of installing a 4-inch or 5-inch cabinet (instead of a 1-inch filter) is that the much larger surface area keeps pressure drop low while still capturing fine particulates. The static pressure test before and after proves it.
What about MERV-16 or HEPA?
MERV-16 is available in 5-inch cabinets if your air handler can handle it. We measure first. True HEPA is impractical in a residential air handler because the pressure drop is too high. If you have a serious medical need for HEPA-grade air in one room, a portable HEPA in that room is the right answer.