MERV Rating 8-13 Filters with a MERV rating of 8-13 are usually higher-end filters for home use or high-quality commercial filters. These filters are typically the right choice for use in homes and many businesses.
Choosing a MERV 8 over a MERV 6 offers a substantial increase in air filtration efficiency, as is a great choice for homes that want the best efficiency at a cheaper price. MERV 9-12: Ideal for homes with pets or people with allergies, these filters catch even smaller particles, including mold spores and fine dust.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HEPA Filters
With a MERV rating nearing 16, HEPA filters provide the highest protection for your home. They're able to remove even the smallest microns or airborne particles, including tobacco and bacteria. Those who live with allergies or other respiratory issues may benefit from HEPA filters the most.
A MERV rating between 9-12 or even higher would be good if someone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma. A MERV 11 filter can trap particles such as dust, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold spores, lint, and larger particles.
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.
MERV Filters: Your Best Option for Seasonal Allergies
MERV 8 filters provide basic protection by capturing larger pollen and dust mites with 70-85% efficiency, making them suitable for basic filtration needs with replacement needed every 90 days.
MERV Rating
A rating between 1 and 4 will protect your HVAC system, but will not improve air quality. A rating between 5 and 13 is useful in fighting mold, pet dander, bacteria, and some viruses. Anything rated at a 14 or higher has the highest efficiency.
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.
MERV 11 is still highly effective for homes, filtering common allergens and larger particles. Choosing between them depends on your system's capacity and air quality needs—MERV 13 if air quality is a priority, MERV 11 for balanced filtration and 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.
Filters with a MERV rating of 8-13 are usually higher-end filters for home use or high-quality commercial filters. These filters are typically the right choice for use in homes and many businesses.
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.
Pleated filters with MERV ratings from 5 to 8 are classified as medium filters and are the most common in residential HVAC systems.
Filters within a MERV rating of 17-20 are almost never necessary in a residential home. A MERV rating of 13-16 is considered hospital level air quality, so it is unlikely your home needs any more than that.
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.
Opinions vary widely on the topic, but every professional agrees a good HVAC air filter is necessary for your home because they've seen all the problems that the wrong kind of air filter can create in a home's HVAC system. Burnt out motors and controls can result from too-restrictive filters.
A pleated filter is made up of different sizes, and readily captures pathogens as small as 0.3 microns, filtering out even the tiniest of bacteria. They are overall more effective in capturing very tiny particles than non-pleated air filters; 99.97% of airborne particles are trapped with a pleated air filter.
16x25x4 air filter is designed to last for about 6 to 12 months. But this can vary depending on factors. Like the air quality in your home. And how often your HVAC system is in use.
MERV 8 filters aren't the ideal recommendation, rather they serve as a baseline of adequate indoor residential filtration. Note that the MERV 5-8 range can only capture air pollutants that are 3.0 microns or larger. As a result, MERV 8 filters capture mid-size particles such as aerosol sprays, mold and dust.