What Does a MERV 8 Filter Capture? According to the EPA, a MERV 8-rated filter captures at least 70% of particles between the sizes of 3.0 and 10 microns. This is typically good enough to get the job done for the average home.
A MERV 8 filter is considered suitable for residential settings, capturing particles like pollen, dust mites, and mold spores.
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.
MPR 600 is equal to MERV Rating 8.
For most homes, a rating of MERV 8-13 is a good start to keep your air healthy.
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.
MERV 11 is generally not too high for most home HVAC systems and provides effective filtration, capturing smaller particles like pet dander, pollen, and mold spores. This level is beneficial for households with allergy sufferers or pets, as it improves indoor air quality.
One disadvantage of the highest MERV rated filters is that: The pressure drop across high MERV filters is more.
Pleated air filters can restrict airflow to some extent due to their denser construction and larger surface area. The pleats create more resistance for the air to pass through, which can potentially reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A home with no pets, smoke, or allergies will do just fine with a MERV value of 1-7. If you have pets or someone in your home has significant allergy problems, you may want to consider a higher MERV value, between 8-10. Homes with smokers or a wood-burning fireplace should have a filter in the MERV 11-13.
The scaling of MERV is not linear; the difference between a MERV 6 and a MERV 8 is nearly double in the percentage of particles captured. Be aware that as the MERV rating increases, the filter gets more restrictive and it will take more pressure and energy to push air through.
MERV 11 is made of a thicker filter material than MERV 8. This means that more energy will be consumed to allow enough air to pass through. This increase in energy will cause a slow but inevitable deterioration of the HVAC components which is why you must maintain your furnace as often as you can.
Generally, for residential use, a MERV rating of 13 or higher is recommended to effectively capture common indoor particulates*.
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.
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 13 filters typically need to be changed every three to six months. However, the frequency with which you need to change your filter depends on a number of factors, including: The type / brand of filter you're using. The size of your HVAC system.
Air filters that are overdue for a change are a common cause of HVAC system failure. Over time, dirt builds up in the heating and AC filters, causing components such as the motor to go into overdrive, which may eventually overheat your unit.
Different MERV 8 Filters do not perform in the same way on all particle size ranges. Pleated filters have far higher efficiency on medium sized and small sized particles than polyester pads or ring panels. The ASHRAE 52.2 test method is designed to measure the fractional efficiency of a filter by particle size.
MERV 8 filters capture a significant portion of large particles but are not highly effective against finer smoke particles or smaller airborne contaminants.