A MERV rating of 13 to 16 is considered hospital-grade air quality, so it's unlikely that your home will need more than that. According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, filters in the 7-13 range often have little difference with higher MERV ratings, but will allow your system to work much more efficiently.
MERV 12 traps concrete dust, sawdust, legionella and other contaminants that Merv 11 traps. While the air filter is designed to control the amount of unwanted air particles entering your home, its MERV rating is meant to show you which filter is best for your home. From what you've read so far, you know that the higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter will be. An independent test of the effects of MERV filters 8 to 13 on HVAC airflow and energy consumption concluded that even “if no adjustments are made for the increased pressure drop of high MERV filters, airflow and Energy penalties are unlikely to be serious at least, not until the filter is loaded with dirt.
With the Filter King filter selection tool, you can mark exactly the size, thickness and MERV rating you're looking for. While MERV 8 is known to be effective at filtering contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores, and lint from the air, higher Merv ratings will clean the air even more. It's best to comply with oven manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system. If your HVAC has a permanent split condenser fan, a higher MERV rated air filter will interfere with it and cause lower airflow. The higher the MERV rating, the less particulate matter and other contaminants will be allowed in your home.
Both claim to be based on the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE 52.2 standard used to establish MERV ratings, but neither company offers an easily accessible explanation of how their own ratings differ or compare to MERV. In contrast, a high MERV rating indicates that the filter does a good job of removing particles from the air. Filters in the MERV 5-8 range can also trap particles with a size of 3.0-10.0 microns, but are more efficient in doing so. Since it is a MERV 8 filter, it is not designed to trap the smallest particles that fall into category E1, such as pet dander. Filters with higher MERV ratings should be changed more frequently (at least every three months) to avoid restricted airflow that can cause the system to operate inefficiently or even damage it. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Report Value and is a measure of how well a filter removes particles from the air. Choosing an air filter for your home can be tricky - especially when it comes to selecting one with an appropriate MERV rating.
To make sure you get the right one for your needs, it's important to understand what each rating means and how it affects your home's air quality. The higher the MERV rating on an air filter, the better it is at trapping airborne particles like dust mites, pet dander and pollen. A filter with a higher rating will also help reduce allergens in your home and improve indoor air quality overall. However, it's important to note that filters with higher ratings may require more frequent changes due to their increased efficiency. When selecting an air filter for your home, it's important to consider both its efficiency and its ability to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
A filter with too high of a MERV rating may cause restricted airflow in your system and lead to decreased efficiency or even damage. It's best to consult an HVAC professional or follow manufacturer's recommendations when selecting an air filter for your home. In conclusion, choosing an appropriate MERV rating for your home's air filter can be tricky - but understanding what each rating means and how it affects your home's air quality can help you make an informed decision. Higher ratings are better at trapping airborne particles like dust mites and pollen but may require more frequent changes due to their increased efficiency. It's important to consider both efficiency and airflow when selecting an air filter for your home - so make sure you consult an HVAC professional or follow manufacturer's recommendations before making a purchase.
