What MERV rating you choose between 7 and 13 depends on what level of filtration you require. If your family has allergies or asthma, a higher MERV rating will be good for you. If your family doesn't suffer from any breathing difficulties, a lower filter like a 7 will save you some money on your energy bill.
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.
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.
A common question among homeowners is, “What is the max MERV for a home?” Generally, a MERV rating up to 13 is typically the upper limit for most homes. Using filters with a MERV rating higher than this can be too restrictive, potentially impeding airflow and straining your HVAC system.
MERV 13 Air Filters
Filters with higher ratings are intended for healthcare and laboratory environments with excellent air quality and HVAC systems that can handle highly efficient filters. Using a filter above MERV 13 in a home is unnecessary and can restrict airflow and damage the HVAC system.
ASHRAE has similar guidance, which is to "use combinations of filters and air cleaners that achieve MERV 13 or better levels of performance for air recirculated by HVAC systems." The simplest way to meet this guidance is to use a MERV 13 filter in your appropriately-designed HVAC system, if the system is able to ...
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.
Well, MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with 1 being the lowest level of filtration, and 20 being the highest. Filters that are MERV 16 through 20 are usually only found in hospitals, cleanrooms, and nuclear power plants. The home air filters you're looking for have a MERV rating anywhere between MERV 5 and 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.
Generally, this is how long a filter lasts based on MERV ratings: MERV 1-4 furnace filters should be replaced once a month. MERV 5-8 filters need to be changed roughly every 3 months. MERV 9-11 filters require replacement every 6 months.
One disadvantage of the highest MERV rated filters is that: The pressure drop across high MERV filters is more.
What MERV rating you choose between 7 and 13 depends on what level of filtration you require. If your family has allergies or asthma, a higher MERV rating will be good for you. If your family doesn't suffer from any breathing difficulties, a lower filter like a 7 will save you some money on your energy bill.
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 primary drawback of high MERV filters is that the pressure drop across them is too high, which can lead to reduced airflow and increased energy consumption in HVAC systems. This resistance may strain mechanical components over time, potentially causing failure.
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.
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.
MERV 8 filters capture basic particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander and are adequate for most households. Higher ratings, such as MERV 11 to 13, offer enhanced filtration, capturing smaller particles like mold spores and smoke, which is beneficial for those with allergies.
Because not all HVAC systems can use HEPA filters, air filters with a MERV rating of 13 to 16 are the best option to trap pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and dust mites, and they're highly effective for reducing allergens and improving indoor air quality.
There is still a common misconception that having a high MERV rated filter will be too restrictive and strain your unit. However, most HVAC systems built in the last 20 years should have no issue using a MERV 6 - MERV 13 rated air filter.
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.
Many New Jersey homeowners ask us about MERV ratings, especially when it comes to choosing between MERV 8 and MERV 11 air filters. Here's what we tell them: Think of MERV 8 filters as a “good” option, and MERV 11 filters as the “better” option for normal residential use.
Pleated filters with MERV ratings from 5 to 8 are classified as medium filters and are the most common in residential HVAC systems.
The disadvantage of the highest MERV-rated filters is that the pressure drop across them is significant, which can reduce airflow, increase energy consumption, and lead to wear on HVAC systems. This means while they effectively trap more particles, they also create challenges for air circulation.
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