Upgrading to a filter rated MERV 13 or higher can be especially important during smoky periods to effectively remove fine particle pollution from smoke in the indoor air. Most furnaces and HVAC systems can accommodate a MERV 13 filter without creating equipment problems, provided that the filter is replaced frequently.
Determine Your Air Filter Needs
In that case, you may want to consider a higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating of 9 to 12. While for homes with smoke or a fireplace, you should opt for a MERV rating of 13 to 16. Filters with these ratings are intended for trapping and removing smoke particles and fumes.
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 Rating 14-20
These filters offer the highest level of filtration and are not usually needed for regular homes and businesses. An air filter with a MERV rating of 14-20 can remove smoke, bacteria, carbon dust, and viruses from the air. Highly rated filters like these are often used for hospitals and laboratories.
Because particles of smoke are quite small (typically 0.3 to 1.0 microns in size), an air filter with a MERV rating of 11 or higher is required to efficiently remove them.
Upgrading to a filter rated MERV 13 or higher can be especially important during smoky periods to effectively remove fine particle pollution from smoke in the indoor air. Most furnaces and HVAC systems can accommodate a MERV 13 filter without creating equipment problems, provided that the filter is replaced frequently.
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.
MERV 14 is too strong for most home HVAC systems.
Explore our MERV 13 Titanium filters to find a size that fits your home.
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.
The medium-MERV filters we recommend, rated MERV 8 to 13, are typically an opaque white, felt-like in texture, and pleated like an accordion. In our guide to furnace and air-conditioning filters, our recommendation is a MERV 12 filter from Nordic Pure. A six-pack typically costs about $55.
"Since smoke particles are typically within this size range, HEPA filters are excellent for removing smoke from the air, preventing it from entering the respiratory system and causing harm."
For most homes, a rating of MERV 8-13 is a good start to keep your air healthy.
However, a MERV 8 filter captures greater or equal to 20% of particles between 1.0 and 3.0 microns and is not rated to filter particles or pollutants between the sizes of 0.30 and 1.0 microns. That means things like pet dander, smoke, and some airborne bacteria are likely to get through a MERV 8 filter.
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.
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.
One easy and affordable way to make your own air cleaner at home is with a box fan and a furnace filter. These “filter fans” can filter out the small particles that are common in wildfire or wood smoke.
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of the filter strongly impacts the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). It is recommended to use a MERV 13 filter(s) to remove the very small particles in wildfire smoke.
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.
According to experts, MERV 13 filters or higher are essential for trapping the fine particulate matter present in wildfire smoke.
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.
Opting for higher-rated MERV filters necessitates regular HVAC system checks to ensure it operates efficiently without undue strain. Filters with a rating of 14 or above are typically intended for commercial or industrial settings, requiring systems with robust airflow capabilities.
MERV 13 - 16
The MERV scale stops at 16 so this is the most efficient you can get outside of a HEPA filter. These filters have a lot of stopping power so they will catch the most amount of pollutants and allergens in your HVAC system. These filters are recommended to be changed every year.
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.
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.
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.