What does MERV 11 filter out?

Author: Gunner Jerde  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

A MERV 11 filter is the most popular choice for residential homes. This type of filter can remove most of harmful contaminants from a home environment, including smoke, dust mites, pet dander, mold, pollen, dust and smog. MERV 11 filters can remove around 90% of foreign particles found in air.

Is MERV 11 too high for residential?

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.

Do MERV 11 filters restrict airflow?

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.

Is there a big difference between MERV 11 and 13?

A MERV 13 filter is capable of filtering out all particle impurities like dust, lint, pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, smog, and smoke. On top of this, it can also trap bacteria and viruses. MERV 11 furnace filters have a particle arrestance of a little over 90%.

Which filter is better, MERV 8 or 11?

Filters rated MERV 8 are an excellent choice for homes without air quality concerns like allergies or respiratory health complaints. A MERV 11 filter, in contrast, provides enhanced filtration by capturing a greater percentage of smaller particles, including vehicle emissions, bacteria, and mold spores.

What is MERV Rating and How to Pick the Right Filter for Your Home

Is MERV 8 too restrictive?

For instance, MERV 8 filters catch larger particles and are less restrictive, while MERV 11 filters catch smaller particles and are more restrictive. This means MERV 11 filters not only have higher initial resistance but also build up additional resistance faster as they capture more debris.

What MERV rating is best for airflow?

For most homes, a rating of MERV 8-13 is a good start to keep your air healthy.

Is MERV 13 too high for AC?

Any air filter with a rating higher than 13 will restrict air flow to the point of which could cause damage to your HVAC system, resulting in an added expense to fix it.

How often should I change my MERV 11 filter?

The middle-efficiency range of MERV 5-10 likely requires filter changes somewhere around two or three months. However, this mid-range really varies depending on other factors and filter material. Air filters with a MERV 11 rating or higher rating can usually go between three and six months before replacing.

What MERV rating is good for pet dander?

MERV Rating

Since you're after a filter furnace for pet dander and allergies, go for one with a higher filter performance rating — MERV 8 to 13. A furnace filter with a MERV above 8 will rid the air in your home of dander effectively, removing approximately 85% of large particles and 50% small particles.

Is MERV 11 too restrictive for old furnace?

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.

Is there a downside to high MERV filters?

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.

What does MERV 11 catch?

The MERV 11 filter is better at capturing pet dander and bacteria from sneezes. It also provides additional protection against smoke, smog, or automobile exhaust fumes that may seep in from the garage. A MERV 11 filter is capable of filtering at the following rates: 0.30-1.0 size microns greater than or equal to 20%

What is the highest MERV for a house?

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.

Is MERV 13 too restrictive for residential?

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.

Can you filter smoke with a MERV 11?

MERV 11 and MERV 13 filters are specifically designed to trap and remove even the tiniest smoke particles from the air. These filters offer superior filtration capabilities and can help alleviate the negative effects of wildfire smoke on indoor air quality.

Is MERV 11 good for home AC?

A MERV 11 filter is the most popular choice for residential homes. This type of filter can remove most of harmful contaminants from a home environment, including smoke, dust mites, pet dander, mold, pollen, dust and smog.

What is the main drawback of using a high MERV filter?

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.

Does MERV 11 filter out mold?

Superior Particle Capture: MERV 11 filters excel at capturing smaller particles, including mold spores, fine dust, and pet allergens.

Will MERV 13 stop mold?

A MERV 13 rating has a high level of filtration. It's able to catch small particles. Even microns as small as 0.3 to 1.0. A MERV 13 filter catches dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and viruses.

Is a MERV rating of 14 too high?

MERV 14 is too strong for most home HVAC systems.

Explore our MERV 13 Titanium filters to find a size that fits your home.

Do thicker air filters restrict airflow?

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.

What MERV rating stops dust?

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.

What MERV rating is best for 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.

What MERV rating is considered a HEPA filter?

All HEPA filters have a rating of a MERV 17 or higher. A HEPA filter with a MERV 17 rating will trap 99.97% of air particles that are 0.3-1.0 micron in size and an even better % of particles below 0.3 microns and above (HEPA filters are rated at their worst performance).

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