What MERV rating should I use?
What is a MERV Rating?
- MERV 1-4: Carpet fibers, cockroach debris, dust mites, pollen, sanding dust, spray paint dust, and textile fibers.
- MERV 5-8: Dust mites, dusting aids, fabric protector, hair spray, mold spores, and pet dander.
- MERV 9-12: Humidifier dust, nebulizer droplets, legionella
- MERV 13-16: Bacteria, saliva droplets, and dust from smoke.
What do the different MERV ratings mean?
What is a MERV rating?
- This value is helpful in comparing the performance of different filters
- The rating is derived from a test method developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) [see www.ashrae.org].
- The higher the MERV rating the better the filter is at trapping specific types of particles.
What are the differences in MERV ratings?
When to Replace Your Filter by MERV Rating
- MERV 6 - Change every 30 Days
- MERV 8 - Change every 60-90 Days
- MERV 11 - Change every 60-90 Days
- MERV 13 - Change every 60-90 Days
What's the difference between Merv, MPR, and FPR?
The three ratings are among the most common:
- MERV: Developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), this rating measures residential filters. ...
- MPR: The Microparticle Performance Rating measures how well filters catch particles smaller than one micrometer.
- FPR: This is a one-to-ten rating that Home Depot created.
Is MERV 11 better than 12?
MERV rating 9-12 A MERV 9 will trap less than 50% of particles sized 1.0-3.0 microns, MERV 10 will stop up to 64%, MERV 11 will get up to 79%, and MERV 12 is capable of catching up to 89%.Dec 4, 2019
Is MERV 12 too high?
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.Sep 20, 2019
Is MERV 12 good enough?
9-12 MERV – These filters are more efficient and usually offer the best indoor air quality improvement for residential applications. Deep pleated filters fall into this category. Because they work so well at removing airborne pollutants, they must be regularly checked to ensure proper airflow.
Is MERV 12 too high for my furnace?
What is the best MERV filter for your furnace or air handler? The short answer is this: The best MERV rating for your heating and air conditioning equipment is the MERV recommended by the manufacturer. It's usually in the range of 8-12 MERV.
Is MERV 11 too restrictive?
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.
Are MERV 11 filters bad for HVAC?
The short answer is that it can, but it's not really an issue except under extreme circumstances. Most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with higher MERV filters, which is why millions of homeowners depend on them.
What does MERV 12 mean?
A filter with a MERV rating of nine to 12 captures particles greater than one micrometer. This includes most dust and common pollutants. Hospital laboratories and superior residential air conditioners fall within this range.Jun 3, 2013
Is MERV 11 a good filter?
MERV 11 rated air filters have a filtration efficiency of a little over 90%, making them highly efficient. MERV 11 furnace filters effectively trap pollen, dust, lint, dust mites, and mold, along with smoke, pet dander, smog, auto emissions, bacteria, and other such fine particles.Jun 21, 2021
Does MERV 12 filter coronavirus?
What kind of filter should I use in my home HVAC system to help protect my family from COVID-19? Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERV, reports a filter's ability to capture particles. Filters with MERV-13 or higher ratings can trap smaller particles, including viruses.
Is MERV 11 or 13 better?
MERV 11 furnace filters have a particle arrestance of a little over 90%. In comparison, MERV 13 HVAC filters have a particle arrestance of around 98%. Naturally, it is significantly more efficient. MERV 11 rated air filters are ideal for those who live in a moderately polluted area, have mild allergies, or own a pet.Jun 27, 2021
Is there a downside to high MERV filters?
If the higher-MERV filter reduces air flow, as is the case with systems using PSC motors, it has only a very slight impact on fan energy use. But if ECM motors are used, the impact can be significant (see Figure 4).Nov 2, 2009
Can my furnace handle MERV 13?
MERV 13 is the highest MERV value safe for residential furnaces; the higher ratings are used primarily in commercial units. If you are wondering what MERV to try, keep these recommendations in mind; ASHRAE recommends MERV 6 or higher.
MERV 11 Rating
MERV 11 air filters trap 79% of 1 to 3-micron size particles and 85% of 3 to 10-micron size particles.
MERV 12 Rating
MERV 12 air filter traps around 89% of 1 to 3-micron size particles and more than 90% of 3 to 10-micron size.
How to Choose the Right Air Filter for Your Home?
Since you are looking for an air filter for your home, there are a few things you have to consider. Do not just go for the highest rating air filter and call it a day. Take some time and think about the following things:
Do You Need a High MERV Rating Filter?
From what you have read so far, you know the higher the MERV Rating, the more efficient the filter is. But this necessarily does not mean you need the highest-rated filter.
Signs to Change Your Air Filter
Air filters must be changed every 2 to 3 months, depending on the MERV value of your filter. Here are some signs to look out for that indicate it is time to replace the air filter.
MERV Ratings: A Brief Overview
MERV ratings are measurement scales that indicate the effectiveness of air filters. So, the word MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Rating Value.
What is the difference between Merv 11 and 12?
Likewise, MERV 12 filters catch about the same types of particles. The difference between 11 and 12, therefore, is quite negligible. We do not carry MERV 12; MERV 11 does just as good a job.
What is a Merv 11 filter?
For your purposes, you should be concerned with a filter that filters most household irritants, such as: Luckily, MERV 11-rated filters handle those particles -- such as pet hair and dust mites -- with ease. Likewise, MERV 12 filters catch about the same types of particles.
What does MERV mean in air filters?
This is a system designed to minimize confusion on air filters and their capabilities, showing consumers which environmental pollutants MERV-rated filters can trap. Overall, the system ranges from 1 to 16, with the higher end trapping the most particles and lower end catching the least.
Is a higher MERV rating better for furnace?
If you think the higher the rating, the better the filter, remember: Filters with higher MERV ratings have smaller pores through which air can flow, leading to more resistance and stress on your furnace system. What you get is an inefficient filter over time.
What does MERV stand for?
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The rating was devised by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to answer one question:
Is a HEPA filter better than a MERV filter?
In other words: HEPA filters are better than anything MERV rating can measure. They are not ‘Minimum’ efficient. In fact, they are high-efficiency filters. Their rating is based upon filtering out a particular size of air particles, 0.3-micron ones. You can check the best air purifiers with HEPA filters here.
What is a MERV filter?
MERV 9-12. A filter with a MERV rating between 9 and 12 is good for those with mild allergies or breathing ailments like asthma. These filters capture particles like pet dander and auto emissions. According to an HVAC professional, they prevent build-up of dust inside the heating/cooling system.
Can older HVAC systems handle higher resistance?
Older systems may not be able to handle this higher resistance. You need to have an HVAC professional assess the situation. Call Romano Brothers today. We can advise you on which filter will improve your air quality without stressing your HVAC system.
Is a MERV 16 filter good?
These are good choices for anyone with a compromised immune system or severe allergies. They are more expensive, however. You might be thinking that a filter rated MERV 16 is the best choice. Before you go out and by one, however, you need to consider one thing.
How good is a MERV 12 filter?
MERV 12 is quite good at trapping small and large contaminants. Furnace filters with a MERV rating of 12 can trap contaminants ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 microns. They can also trap at least 93% of all the airborne contaminants in the building.
What is a MERV rating?
The MERV rating of your furnace filter is an important indicator of its performance. You can use MERV ratings to compare different brands and types of furnace filters. It is necessary to choose a furnace filter with the proper MERV rating.
What is a MERV 13 filter?
MERV 13 is excellent for trapping small-sized contaminants that measure between 0.3 to 1.0 microns. A furnace filter that has this MERV rating can trap over 80% of such small contaminants.
How many microns can a furnace filter trap?
Furnace filters with a MERV rating of 12 can trap 80% of contaminants 1 to 3 microns wide and about 90% of the larger contaminants that measure 3 to 10 microns wide .
Why is MERV rating important?
The MERV rating is important because it enables one to compare the performance of different furnace filters. The rule of thumb is that the higher the MERV rating, the better the performance of the furnace filter.
What does MERV mean in HVAC?
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This measure was developed by the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers. This body is called ASHRAE, in short. The MERV rating is important because it enables one to compare the performance of different furnace filters.
Does MERV affect blower?
However, high MERV ratings may directly interfere with the way the blower of your HVAC system functions. Therefore, it is ideal for balancing between the need to keep the Indoor Air Quality high and maintain the integrity of the blower.
What is the M value of a dryer filter?
Generally, the higher the MERV (M), you get better filter performance. M values 1 through 4 are designed to remove large particles. These filters are used primarily to protect equipment. They are used in light industrial and residential applications. Their average efficiency from 3 to 10 micron is less than 20. The Average arrestance is used to determine MERV 1 through 4. A lint trap in a dryer is about M 2
Do Maxum air purifiers need to be replaced?
They never need to be replaced. The Maxum electrostatic is a great air purifier for your home. If you have more questions about the right air filter or air purifier, call our customer service number 800-558-9436. We will help you understand your best air filtration options.
Is a MERV filter good for a furnace?
They remove the bulk of dust we see in homes and offices. They generally allow enough air to flow through a furnace filter to allow the blower to stay cool.
Does Ashrae recognize Merv 17-20?
ASHRAE no longer recognizes MERV 17-20 values. This level of filtration does fall into the MERV system but they are shown here to add continuity to the overall filter picture. These filters remove at least 99.97% of dust particle and are capable of removing viruses and radioactive material.
What is the difference between a Merv 11 and a Merv 8 air filter?
If you’re worried about the effects of breathing in fine air particles, that’s another reason to choose a MERV 11 air filter over a MERV 8 air filter. Fine air particles are 2.5 microns and smaller. At that size, the air particles can get into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream. MERV 11 air filters can filter out a large percentage ...
What does MERV mean in HVAC?
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Rating Value. It’s a standardized system that was created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and is used by all air filter manufacturers. The rating values range from 1 (the lowest efficiency) to 20 (the highest efficiency).
Why is it important to pick a MERV rating?
Picking the right MERV rating is an important decision in terms of overall cost, air quality, product durability. The right MERV rating can ultimately improve the lifespan of your HVAC system.
Is a Merv 11 filter better than a 13?
Some situations warrant a higher MERV 11 rating. If anyone has an allergy or respiratory problem, go with a MERV 11 air filter or even a MERV 13 air filter. The same case goes for homes with smokers or pets since MERV 11 air filters are better at removing odors.
Is a MERV 11 air filter too high?
In particular, using an air filter with a MERV rating that’s too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn’t too high for residential use.
Is a high MERV rating bad?
Using an air filter with a MERV rating that’s too high is just as bad as using one that’s too low. Air filters with higher MERV ratings can filter more, but the thickness of the filter material can restrict airflow. Restricted airflow can decrease comfort, increase energy use, and accelerate the wear and tear of HVAC components.
Is a Merv 8 filter good?
In many cases, a MERV 8 air filter is more than adequate. However, if you are worried about outdoor air pollution, family members with respiratory issues, pets are in the home, then going with a higher MERV rating might be a good idea. MERV 8 air filters are almost as affordable as less efficient products, which makes them a good value.
What is a MERV filter?
In general, filters with a rating of MERV 16 or below are considered to be HVAC-system-grade filters for residential, commercial and general hospital use. MERV 17 through MERV 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms, clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness.
Is a MERV filter better than a furnace filter?
MERV Filter Ratings and Efficiency. When selecting the right filter for your application, higher is not always better. Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than what your furnace or air conditioner manufacturer recommends can actually impair its performance.
