When it comes to air filtration, MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It is a measure of the efficiency of the air filter, or how much airborne contaminants it can remove. The MERV rating helps you determine which air filter to use for your home air cleaner. In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter is suitable for residential use.
Generally speaking, anything under a MERV 13 air filter should provide very efficient air purification in a home without affecting airflow. Meanwhile, air filters with a MERV 14 rating or higher are designed for commercial HVAC systems that can handle the coarsest filter material. Not all filters are created equal. The higher the number, the better the filter.
Although your HVAC system may not handle a larger number. Overall, our recommended MERV rating for oven filters ranges from 6 to 8 to strike a great balance between maximum oven efficiency and home comfort. In general, filters with higher MERV ratings are more effective and improve air quality, but they are also more expensive. Plus, taller doesn't always mean better for homeowners.
MERV ratings greater than 16 are commonly used in specialized commercial environments where air filtration is essential, such as hospitals. Each air filter has its advantages and disadvantages, but both MERV 8 air filters and MERV 11 air filters are suitable for residential use. The higher the MERV rating of a filter, the less dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. If your family has allergy problems or severe respiratory problems, such as asthma, you may want to invest in filters with higher MERV ratings.
Choosing the right MERV rating is an important decision in terms of total cost, air quality, and product durability. If someone has an allergy or respiratory problem, choose a MERV 11 air filter or even a MERV 13 air filter. If you're worried about the effects of inhaling fine air particles, that's another reason to choose a MERV 11 air filter instead of a MERV 8 air filter. Choosing the right MERV rating for your oven filter has a big impact on indoor air quality, your HVAC system, and most importantly, the well-being of your family. A filter with a MERV rating between 1 and 6 can remove particles between 0.3 and 10 microns with an efficiency of 20%.
If you are susceptible to allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, you may want to use a filter with a MERV rating of approximately 10 to 12. MERV 17 to MERV 20 filters are explicitly used in industrial or scientific applications, such as surgical operating rooms, cleanrooms and other applications that require absolute cleanliness. Sometimes particles such as pollen, pet dander, and fine dust can sneak through the filter unless you get one with a higher MERV rating. Filters with a MERV rating of 8 to 13 are usually high-end filters for domestic use or high-quality commercial filters. In simple terms, it sets the minimum amount of particles a filter must capture to obtain a specific MERV rating. If your home's HVAC system is not capable of handling MERV 13, opt for a filter with the next highest possible rating.
