For pet dander and allergies you'll want furnace filters with a MERV 8 to a MERV 13 rating. 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.
Suitable for Most Homes: MERV 8 filters are effective at capturing larger particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander. For many homes, especially those without specific indoor air quality concerns, MERV 8 filters strike a good balance between filtration and airflow.
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.
For most homes, a rating of MERV 8-13 is a good start to keep your air healthy.
The MERV 9-12 air filters capture smaller allergens, including pet dander. This means those with milder allergies can breathe more freely. The highest quality air filter ratings are the MERV 13-16. Air filters with this rating block even viruses and bacteria.
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.
Air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters can effectively capture pet odors from the air, reducing unpleasant smells associated with pet ownership. Additionally, HEPA filters can trap pet hair and dander, preventing them from settling on surfaces and making cleaning tasks more manageable.
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.
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.
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.
Pleated air filters can restrict airflow to some extent due to their denser construction and larger surface area. Non-pleated air filters generally have lower airflow resistance compared to pleated filters.
The MERV 11 air filter is a safe option for residential use, and it usually does not cause restricted airflow.
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.
Use a HEPA Filter
A High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter traps 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger - which you cannot even see with your naked eye. The filter will trap most of the pet dander so that the HVAC doesn't circulate them.
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.
For pet dander and allergies you'll want furnace filters with a MERV 8 to a MERV 13 rating. 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.
However, it's worth noting that filters with higher MERV ratings can restrict airflow. While filters rated 13 or below generally don't strain most HVAC systems, those rated above 10 might require professional installation.
MERV 8: Less restrictive, allows for better airflow, holds up to the light and you can see through it. MERV 11: More restrictive, captures smaller particles, builds up debris faster, and increases pressure drop.
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.
A MERV 12 filter can be too restrictive for some furnaces, causing them to overheat, especially in older systems.
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.
Levoit vs Blueair: final thoughts
Overall, both Levoit and Blueair air purifiers are fantastic choices for a home. Both brands boast quality HEPA and carbon filters and smart capabilities, so it's pretty toe to toe as far as which products get our thumbs up.
Yes, and no. Most air purifiers are perfectly safe, but not all of them. Which air purifiers are the best for your pets? Most air purifier companies will want to make sure that they can provide a quality product to you, or at least one that will not get them in trouble.
Room air cleaners are portable, electric appliances that remove fine particles, such as dust and pollen, from indoor air. A standard room air cleaner, operating continuously, uses approximately 450 kWh per year in electricity. This is more than the energy used by some new refrigerators!