The Importance of MERV Rating The MERV scale also helps you balance your air quality and energy efficiency needs. The rating gives you the worst-case possibility for an air filter, so you can get a good idea of how it will perform.
For most homes, a MERV rating between 8 and 13 strikes the perfect balance between filtration, airflow, and cost. A MERV 11 filter, for instance, can last up to six months and offers excellent air cleaning without putting too much strain on your HVAC system.
In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn't too high for residential use. Generally speaking, anything under a MERV 13 air filter should provide very efficient air purification in a home without impacting airflow.
Filters in the 5-8 MERV value range are also able to trap particles with 3.0-10.0 microns in size, but they are more efficient in doing so. A MERV 5 filter will trap up to 34%, MERV 6 will stop 35-49%, MERV 7 will prevent up to 69%, and MERV 8 will catch up to 85% of particles.
HVAC professionals say MERV 8 is the highest you should go. Filters are there to protect the equipment not you. The higher the MERV rating the harder the furnace has to work. 1/2x a year change the filter unless you have pets then change 3/4x a year.
Most current household HVAC units/handlers can handle a MERV 6-13 pleated filter with ease. Changing your air filters regularly will prevent filters from being loaded and overly restrictive.
The MERV 11 air filter is the wrong choice for people who do not own pets and do not have any breathing trouble; this is because it can lead to restricted airflow. Air filters with higher ratings can also have negative effects on HVAC components.
High-MERV filters increase the static pressure of your system, and if the ductwork is already marginal, this can cause the airflow to drop to a level where the temperature exceeds the furnace's limit.
The home air filters you're looking for have a MERV rating anywhere between MERV 5 and 13. We, however, do not endorse any filter that has a MERV rating lower than a MERV 8, and filters below MERV 5? We don't even talk about those. Filters rated below a MERV 5 are basically the wet socks of air filters.
Similar to the previous MERV filters, it is often recommended to replace MERV 8 filters every 90 days. As a side note, make sure to replace you air filter with the right air filter size.
Furnace filters with a MERV 8 rating or higher can effectively remove pet dander from the air. On average, MERV 8 filters remove 85% of large air particles and 50% of small particles. The higher you go the better the filtration will be, but we don't recommend going higher than MERV 13.
Sometimes, a MERV 11 filter may be too restrictive, particularly for older or smaller HVAC systems not designed to handle the increased pressure drop. If you notice that airflow has diminished or your HVAC unit is cycling on and off more frequently, these could be signs that your filter is too restrictive.
This extra depth gives the filter more room for airflow. That means that as the filter collects dirt and other debris from your air, it won't restrict the airflow in your furnace as much. This prevents damage to the furnace and gives the filter itself a longer lifespan.
These high-quality filters trap particles as small as one micron, including Legionella and humidifier dust. MERV 9 to 12 filters are the best filters that a residential HVAC system will accommodate without serious system modifications.
ASHRAE currently recommends using a minimum MERV 13 filter, which is at least 85% efficient at capturing particles in 1 µm to 3 µm size range. A MERV 14 filter is at least 90% efficient at capturing those same particles.
The abbreviation stands for Minimum Effective Reporting Value. In other words, it's a measurement showing how small the holes are in the filter. The higher the MERV number, the smaller the holes, and the less that can pass through. Ultimately, this is what makes MERV 14 filters not a good choice for home use.
In general, the best MERV rating for a home is somewhere between 8-10. These filters will capture a large portion of the airborne particles and improve indoor air quality without making your energy costs rise significantly.
The higher-rated filter also captures up to 50 percent or greater of the smallest particles floating through the air. The primary benefit when comparing a MERV 11 vs. MERV 13 filter is that the latter includes stronger protection against airborne bacteria and viruses that spread through droplets in the air.
Some environments do require MERV 16 air filters. But these are places like hospitals, not homes. When you're considering what to put in your home, we don't recommend you go above MERV 13. This is because MERV 13 is adequate to keep your air fresh and clean — while not damaging your HVAC system in the process.
It's also difficult for many existing HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems to adopt a MERV 13 due to the increased load on the fan from the finer filter media, which can actually cause more harm than good as well as reducing airflow if your system isn't designed to handle that type of filter.
1“ Throw Away Filter
1” throw away filters are typically a MERV 2 rating. Most Bard products can use either a 1” throw away or a 2” throw away filter. Upgrading from a 1” filter to a 2” filter will give you a higher filtration value. Remember to reference your manual for what your Bard product is capable of handling.
MERV 11 filters are especially useful if your household has … Allergy sufferers: MERV 11 filters can trap pet dander, pollen, dust and mold. Heavy smokers: If your home is full of smoke, MERV 11 filters can catch the particles to help you breathe easier.
What is the recommended MERV rating for home use? MERV ratings for air filters range from 1-16 with the higher ratings being more effective at filtering pollutants. In general, HVAC professionals will recommend MERV filter ratings between 8 and 13 for home use.
Air filters with higher efficiency ratings may do a better job clearing the air. Still, they'll also force your HVAC system to work harder, resulting in performance challenges and higher energy bills.