How to Select The Right MERV Rating for Your Furnace Filter
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Asthma and allergy sufferers are particularly sensitive to the air quality around them. Having the wrong air filter may mean you’re breathing in more dust or allergens, which can trigger asthmatic and allergic episodes. With correct MERV rating knowledge and the right HVAC filter choice, your air filtration system will help you breathe cleaner air in your home or workplace.
In general, filters with higher MERV ratings are more effective and improve air quality, but they are also more expensive. MERV 10 – MERV 12 air filters are able to trap particles as small as 1 micron such as automobile exhaust, pollen, and mold spores. Homeowners can use several types of air filters in their home’s HVAC system. It is vital that you choose the right filter for your home, as they eliminate particles circulating in the air. He brings expert knowledge of a myriad of home air filtration topics including HVAC filters, filtration efficiency, and indoor air quality. Their filters capture more than 85% of the particles that normally end up in your home’s air.
Which filter is better MERV 8 or 13?
Choosing the right MERV filter for your home is imperative. While each MERV rating has its place, not all ratings are suitable for every home. If you’re unsure which option is best suited for you or what MERV rating your HVAC system can effectively handle, check its manual or reach out to an HVAC technician. The higher ratings usually feature denser filtration material, which translates to additional force necessary to push air through the filter. Due to the dense composition, extremely powerful HVAC fans are necessary to move air through the filters with high MERV ratings.
We’ve found the furnace filter brands that are most recommended by HVAC professionals. After seeing hundreds of HVAC systems shut down or become ineffective due to the wrong filters, these experts know what filter brands are best. You can find disposable and reusable filters that are labeled electrostatic. As air passes through them, they charge up and trap additional particles. Fiberglass filters are cheaper than disposable pleated filters. Choosing the right furnace filter involves knowing what MERV rating, type, size, and brand of filter you need.
Performance
Only filters with a rating of MERV 8 or higher are tested with particles in this size range. E1, E2, and E3 particles are particle range sizes that are used in testing air filters to determine a MERV rating. Some air filters, especially those with higher MERV ratings, may impede airflow due to enhanced air filtration. These MERV 11 filters will capture particles such as fine dust, pollen, and pet dander.
The MERV rating system is designed to determine the filter's ability to remove particles from the air. These filters can remove smoke, bacteria, sneezes, carbon dust, and viruses. Filters with the highest MERV rating of include commercial, HEPA, and ULPA filters.
How Often Should You Change Your MERV Air Filter?
It’s best to comply with furnace manufacturer recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to nail down exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system. Use our selector tool to find the perfect heating and cooling products for your comfort needs. Air filters with a lower MERV rating do not need to be changed as frequently, but that does not mean you do not have to change them. HEPA filters are more expensive than other filter options, and your HVAC system will have more difficulty cycling air through.
Ensure that the air filter is compatible with your HVAC system prior to purchase. You must choose a filter that your HVAC system can handle to avoid damaging the unit. Determining what MERV rating your furnace or air conditioner can handle can be challenging.
MERV Ratings: What Do They Mean?
It’s important to keep track of when your system needs new filters. Also, clogged filters are ineffective at filtering particles and keeping your air clean. Neglecting to change your filters on a schedule can cause expensive damage to your system and worsen health issues. However, most residential and commercial buildings don’t require air filters above a MERV 16 rating.
The best way to determine this is to look in the user manual, on the HVAC unit’s nameplate, or online. If you cannot find your system’s max MERV rating, give our team of HVAC pros a call for assistance. Purolator filters consistently get 4.5 and 5-star reviews from customers, and HVAC professionals widely recommend them. These filters are reliable, effective, and available in a variety of filter types. You can order replacement filters through the app, ask questions, and even monitor the quality of your indoor air.
Use a soft-bristled brush and mild washing detergent to remove sticky or stubborn particles. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers , the best MERV rating for most residential homes is MERV-13. However, in some cases, this high rating may not be suitable. MERV-13 to MERV-16 filters offer superior filtration, but usually, only hospitals use them. MERV-9 to MERV-12 is suitable for some residential HVAC units and commercial buildings. Never use a MERV filter that is rated higher than your HVAC system.
The professional technicians of Robert B. Payne, Inc. are knowledgeable about a wide variety of heating services and heating products. It does not matter if you have a residential heating unit or a commercial unit; we specialize in both. Aside from their low price, MERV 8 filters are cost-effective. You don’t need to change them frequently because they endure up to three months of use. Although MERV 8 filters can trap most of the animal dander, you need a higher rating of MERV filter if you own more than two dogs.
Air filters with the highest MERV ratings are constructed to catch the smallest of particles and tend to be thicker. The denser and more tightly woven the fibers of an air filter are, the harder it is to push air through them. That means the HVAC system must work harder to move air when a filter with a high MERV rating is used. High-efficiency particulate air filters work great for people that have allergies or respiratory issues.
Quality air filters keep your ductwork and vents free from microscopic debris buildup. If your system works too hard with a MERV 8, contact an HVAC specialist to diagnose the problem. It uses numbers between 1 and 16 to determine how well an air filter does its job. MERV 1 has the lowest rating, with lots of particles escaping its fibers.
Our pressure drops tests were conducted at pretty standard air flow rates for the average HVAC system. In simple terms, pressure drop is basically air resistance. Your air filter is a literal barrier between your HVAC system and your vents, and that slows the ability of air to get pulled through your vents to your actual system. How much your HVAC’s air flow is slowed by a filter is equivalent to its pressure drop. Each filter will go through six tests per particle size to determine its MERV rating. In each test, the total number of particles in the test will be counted before being sprayed through the filter, and then counted again after.
The ideal MERV filters for both air filtering and furnace efficiency are 7-13, experts say. These filters can be used without any modifications to your equipment. Air purifiers with HEPA filtration efficiently capture particles the size of the virus that causes COVID-19, so the answer is yes. Filters with the highest MERV rating of include commercial, HEPA and ULPA filters. These filters offer the highest level of filtration and are generally not needed in most homes and businesses.
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