Air filters rated MERV 8 are a good choice for your home if you are looking for a basic air filter to prevent dust and dirt from getting into the air. If you need a better filter to prevent more dirt and animal dander from blowing out of your vents, you should go with a MERV 11 rated filter.
Full Answer
Should I use MERV 8 or 11?
The better an air filter is at trapping particles, the quicker it will get maxed out. 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.
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 is Merv and why is it important?
- 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 ).
- The higher the MERV rating the better the filter is at trapping specific types of particles.
Is Higher MERV filter better?
The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the air filter is at catching harmful pollutants in your home's air. MERV 5–8 (good): These filters are better at catching small particles (3–10 microns) like mold spores, hair spray, dust mites and animal dander. MERV 9–12 (better): The best option for residential use.
Is a MERV 8 Air Filter Good Enough?
What is the Difference Between MERV 11 vs MERV 8 Air Filters?
What does MERV mean on air filters?
How many microns are in a MERV filter?
What filter can trap particles in the air?
What is a Merv 11 filter?
Why is it important to pick a MERV rating?
See 4 more
Is MERV 11 or 8 better?
MERV 11 filters are more efficient than MERV 8 filters as they can capture smaller particles. They offer additional protection from pet dander, dust mites, auto-emissions, and lung-damaging dust. This is a good option for households with pets or those looking for even better air quality than the MERV 8 can provide.
Is MERV 11 too high for home?
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.
Is MERV 8 good enough for furnace filter?
Is MERV 8 good enough? MERV 8 filters aren't the best choice for residential HVAC systems, according the ASHRAE. Though MERV 8 is known to be effective at filtering out contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores, and lint from the air, higher MERV ratings will clean the air even further.
What MERV rating is best for home use?
between 8-10In general, the best MERV rating for a home is somewhere between 8-10. These filters will capture a large portion of the airborne particles and improve indoor air quality without making your energy costs rise significantly.
Is MERV rating/8 Good enough?
Yes. MERV 8 is good enough for air filtration in average residential homes. A MERV 8 filter can stop mold spores, pollen, and most cleaning agents. It is important to note, though, that individual circumstances can require a filter with a higher MERV rating.
Is there a downside to high MERV filters?
While the highest MERV ratings are the most effective for air quality, they can harm your HVAC system. A higher MERV rating means a higher resistance, which means less airflow. When researching HVAC systems, airflow will come up a lot.
Is MERV 11 bad for furnace?
Increased usage can lead to more wear and tear, so make sure to regularly maintain your furnace. MERV 11 filters however, are not considered to be too high for residential use. Anything higher than a MERV 11 is designed for commercial or households with family members suffering from respiratory issues.
Does a MERV 11 filter restrict airflow?
Be aware, too, that some retailers also use their own rating system instead of MERV. A decade ago, it used to be that if you had an HVAC system that used panel filters rated 6 through 9 MERV, putting in a MERV 11 or higher filter would restrict airflow (known as filter pressure drop).
Does Merv 8 filters restrict airflow?
Generally, a filter with a higher MERV rating will reduce airflow. However, there are many other factors at play such as the size of the filter and the type of blower motor in your HVAC system. Filters for central HVAC systems are usually the primary form of particle removal for residential and commercial buildings.
What MERV is best for furnace?
7-13The 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. Your system may handle MERV 14-16 with no discernable stress. However, many residential systems require modifications to pull air through these filters.
How often should Merv 8 filters be changed?
every 3 monthsFor Merv 8, 11 and 13 filters, we recommend that you change your filter at least every 3 months, however changing your filter every 2 months provides better filtration which provides healthier and cleaner air in your home.
What MERV is too much?
The MERV rating system goes from 1 to 20, the highest (20) being the rating used for filters in places such as hospitals. So while the MERV rating does go above 13, it will be best to stray from going any higher in your home.
Can a furnace filter be too restrictive?
Burnt out motors and controls can result from too-restrictive filters. Coils, motors, and blowers can also easily become clogged by weak filters creating higher fan usage resulting in higher energy costs.
How do I know what MERV filter to use?
MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with lower ratings denoting a lower-quality filter.MERV 1-4 Filters: Filters with a MERV rating of 1 to 4 do little to trap harmful particles in your home's air. ... MERV 5-8 Filters: MERV ratings of 5 to 8 indicate a medium-quality filter that's sufficient for most homes.More items...•
Does MERV 8 filter mold?
BEST AIR FILTERS FOR REMOVING MOLD AND MOLD SPORES By using an air filter with a rating of MERV 6, MERV 8, or MERV 11 in your heating and cooling system you can breathe fresh, clean air because the filter will catch the airborne mold particles so there's less in your homes air.
What does MERV 8 catch?
What is a MERV rating?MERV RatingAverage Particle Size Efficiency in Microns63.0-10.0 less than or equal to 35%73.0-10.0 less than or equal to 50%81.0-3.0 less than or equal to 20% 3.0-10.0 less than or equal to 70%91.0-3.0 less than or equal to 35% 3.0-10.0 less than or equal to 75%10 more rows•Jul 1, 2022
How long does a MERV 8 air filter last?
three to six monthsAnother factor driving the popularity of MERV 8 filters is that they are inexpensive and easily serviced. Depending on the manufacturer they can last three to six months and even up to a year in residential use.
Can an air filter be too strong?
When it comes to high-efficiency filters, such as the HEPA filter, you can have too much of a good thing. Too strong a filter can damage your HVAC system.
Do pleated air filters restrict airflow?
Even though pleated fiberglass filters are very common and are continuously highly recommended, there's still a misconception around the filters being able to cause damage to your unit because they supposedly restrict air flow. Yes, pleated air filters do indeed restrict the airflow to your HVAC system.
What MERV rating is best for allergies?
Ideally you want to choose a MERV rating of 17 or higher, which are most effective at blocking the particles that cause allergy symptoms.
How high MERV Can my furnace handle?
If your family has health or allergy issues, then you may want to look for a high-efficiency filter that's MERV 11 or higher. But for most households, a MERV 7 or 8 filter might be the sweet spot between performance and cost.
Is MERV 12 too high for home?
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.
How often should you change MERV 11?
For Merv 8, 11 and 13 filters, we recommend that you change your filter at least every 3 months, however changing your filter every 2 months provides better filtration which provides healthier and cleaner air in your home.
Does MERV 11 filter mold?
Use high quality air conditioning filters (MERV 11). This type of filter will capture most airborne mold spores.
What does MERV stand for?
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Rating Value. It’s a standardized system that was created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and...
What MERV rating should I get?
As noted above, the answer lies in a few factors. Each air filter has its pros and cons, but both MERV 8 air filters and MERV 11 air filters are ap...
What is MERV rating on filters?
Every air filter will have the MERV rating printed on it somewhere. The MERV rating is there to tell you how efficient the air filter is in filteri...
Is a MERV 11 Rated air filter too high?
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...
MERV 8 vs 11 vs 13 - HVAC-Talk: Heating, Air & Refrigeration Discussion
Just to clarify the difference in MERV ratings. I copied this from filter mfgrs. web site. "MERV- filter efficiency simplified MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a number from 1 to 16 that is relative to an air filter’s efficiency.
MERV 8 VS MERV 11? What's The Difference? - HouseholdAir
When deciding which air filter to go with, it is important to look at the MERV rating. The MERV rating you choose for your filter affects the air quality of
What is MERV rating?
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV, rating of a filter tells you how well the filter will prevent particles from going into the air of your home. A higher rating means the air filter is more efficient at blocking dust, dander, pollen, smoke, bacteria, etc.
Is a Higher or Lower MERV Rating Better?
A higher MERV rating means the filter works better to prevent unwanted particles in the air. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the particles it can prevent. If you are looking to get the best quality air for your home, a higher MERV rating is better.
What is the best filter for asthma?
If someone living in your home has asthma, you need the MERV 11 filter. The MERV 11 filter will pick up smaller particles than the MERV 8, which could prevent an asthma attack. MERV 8 can be a good option for you and your family’s needs.
What is a MERV 8 filter?
A MERV 8 filter is a basic air filter that will prevent dust, dander, and pollen from blowing through your vents. If you are looking for a cheaper way to filter particles out of your home’s air, the MERV 8 is a good choice.
How many pets can you have with a Merv filter?
If you have more than one pet, it is recommended to get a better filter, such as the MERV 11, to reduce the amount of animal dander in the air.
What does MERV mean in air filters?
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV, rating of a filter tells you how well the filter will prevent particles from going into the air of your home. A higher rating means the air filter is more efficient at blocking dust, dander, pollen, smoke, bacteria, etc. A higher-rated MERV filter will catch much smaller particles than ...
Which filter is best for filtering out particles?
Either one will work for your home. If you are looking for a cheaper way to filter out particles, go with the MERV 8 filter. If you are looking to prevent smaller particles and get the cleanest air, go with the MERV 11 filter.
Does MERV 11 restrict air flow?
Merv 11 can restrict airflow if you have a very old HVAC system or haven’t replaced your air filter in a long time.
What is a merv 8 filter?
Merv 8 air filters are categorized in the Merv 5-8 rating. They are good at catching small particles of between 3 and 10 micrometers in size. Such particles include dust mites, animal dander, hair spray, and mold pollen. Air filters with a Merv rating of 8 are ideal for residences, industrial workplaces, commercial buildings, and paint booths.
What does MERV mean in 2020?
August 17, 2020. August 17, 2020. ray Home. MERV is an abbreviation that stands for Minimum Efficiency Rating Value. It’s a standard used to rate air filters depending on their efficiency. The standard uses the numbers 1-20 to indicate how well an air filter holds dust and dirt.
How long does a Merv 8 filter last?
A typical Merv 8 air filter will last between 6 months and a year in residential use.
What is a merv rating?
Air filters with a Merv rating of 8 are ideal for residences, industrial workplaces, commercial buildings, and paint booths. They are commonly found in American households where they help to eliminate the most common pollutants found in most homes. They also maximize efficiency and performance of air-conditioning systems.
Which is better, Merv 11 or 8?
Air filters with the Merv 11 rating are better at removing pollutants and particles found in air when compared to Merv 8. However, Merv 8 is still a great air filtering option especially where you’re on a budget and where there aren’t any serious health concerns such as asthma and allergies.
What is the best rating for air filter?
A rating of 1 shows the lowest efficiency while a rating of 20 shows the highest efficiency. How well an air filter holds dust and dirt also depends on the particle sizes. In this article we’ll take a look at Merv 8 vs Merv 11, two of the most common Merv ratings on the market today.
What is MERV rating?
This is a simple system for rating a filter’s ability to capture particles based on their size.
What does a MERV 8 filter capture?
A MERV 8 rated filter captures at least 84.9% of particles between the sizes of 0.3 and 10 microns. This is typically good enough to get the job done for the average home.
Should I use the highest MERV rating filter available?
The heating and cooling system that supports your home needs an adequate amount of air flow to operate smoothly. Using the highest MERV rating filter in your home would restrict that air flow, making it difficult for your HVAC to function properly.
What is the difference between a Merv 11 and a Merv 8 filter?
This may not seem like a significant difference compared to the MERV 8 filter, but a MERV 11 is also more capable of capturing between 65% and 79% of smaller particles.
What is the best filter for viruses?
Using a MERV rating 13 filter is best for shielding against virus spreading bacteria, but adding air quality solutions to your home should also be considered. An air filter alone is not a guarantee against airborne viruses like COVID-19, the flu, or the common cold.
What is a MERV 13 filter?
MERV 13 filters help protect against the spread of bacteria, sneeze particles, smoke, and virus carrying germs. If your commercial space offers any type of health or medical services, speak with an HVAC specialist about your special needs.
What is the MERV rating of an air filter?
The air filter MERV rating indicates whether the filter will capture particles at a rate of between 84.9% to 90%. While that doesn’t sound like a huge difference, it is quite significant.
What MERV Rating Should I Use?
If you are going for an air filter, you should always ensure that it has a MERV rating above 8, be it for residential or commercial use.
What Is the Benefit of Using the MERV Rating?
The MERV rating of an air filter is essential as well as beneficial due to the below main reasons:
Is Higher or Lower MERV Better?
If you are still unsure which MERV rating is better – the higher or, the lower one, let’s make it a bit clearer.
Why Should You Choose a MERV Rating of 8 or Higher?
It is always suggested to go for an air filter having a MERV rating of at least 8 or higher.
How do air filters get their MERV ratings?
So, how exactly do air filters get their MERV ratings? The answer is – based on their filtering capabilities depending on the particle size.
How many ratings are there in the Merv system?
A MERV rating system works in a highly systematic manner. First of all, the MERV system consists of 20 ratings, namely from 1 to 20. Out of these, 1 is the lowest air filtering rating, whereas 20 is the highest.
Why are MERV filters not used?
Most residential applications do not make use of high-rated MERV filters. It is mainly because filters having high MERV ratings can reduce airflow. This can get quite damaging.
What MERV rating should you use?
Since a high MERV rating means that more particulates will be removed from the air, you may first think to only use air filters with the highest MERV rating.
Is it time to change your air filter?
Changing your air filter is necessary to maintain the health and efficiency of your home’s HVAC system. Anytime your use your AC or furnace, the air filter will get dirty as dust and particles flow through the system and accumulate on the filter.
What happens if the air filter is backwards?
If you install the air filter backward, you likely won’t notice any immediate effects. As long as you promptly correct the filter’s orientation by installing the air filter in the correct direction, then you should suffer no problems.
What about washable air filters?
Washable air filters can be reused over and over again. They are usually made of metal or plastic and can be cleaned with water. They are great because you don’t need to spend money on disposable air filters. But the tradeoff is that you need to clean them more often.
What is a good filter for HVAC?
MERV 5 – MERV 8 filters provide good filtration and will remove most pollen, mold spores, and dust mites. Using MERV 5-8 filters will keep your HVAC system more efficient than using higher rated filters, as long as you replace your filters regularly.
What is a Merv 8 filter?
With a MERV 8 rating and mesh-reinforced construction, these filters block most household particles. Since they come in almost any size, these are our favorite pleated air filters to use.
How to determine the size of an air filter?
The size of your air filter can be determined by looking at the old air filter in your HVAC system. Most air filters have their dimensions printed right on them.
How much E3 should be removed from a Merv 11 filter?
How efficient is it? MERV 11 filters should remove at least 85% of E3 particles, 65% of E2 particles, and 20% of E1 particles from the air. Our Essential+ filter removes a minimum of 87.9% of E3 particles, 65.6% of E2 particles, and 24.4% of E1 particles. You know nothing much, just going above and beyond as usual. In the standard dust tests we conducted, Essential+ had a total particle arrestance of 92.5% (Sorry Lite, Micro's got you beat).
How are MERV ratings determined?
MERV ratings are determined by a filter's effectiveness at filtering particles of different sizes. Specifically, we're talking about 12 differently sized particles from 0.3 to 10 micrometers (µm) in diameter that were created in a laboratory environment. For reference, a human hair is about 50 µm, and the smallest particles that can be identified by the human eye are about 40 µm. These 12 particles are then divided up into three different size ranges (E1, E2, and E3), and four subranges that exist within each range. The first range, E1, includes particles sized 0.3 to 1.0 µm. E2 includes particles sized 1.0 to 3.0 µm, and E3 encompasses particles sized 3.0 to 10.0 µm.
Why is the pressure drop so low on a fiberglass filter?
The reason that pressure drop is so low for a fiberglass filter is because it is extremely porous and as a result, ineffective at filtering . Finer particles will have no problem at all getting through a fiberglass filter, and those that are larger will be filtered out less effectively than by a pleated filter. .
What is the initial pressure drop for an HVAC system?
At these rates, we found that Essential's initial pressure drop is around 0.024". This is very low, and barely different from the pressure drop of a MERV 1-4 fiberglass filter.
What is the MERV rating for air filters?
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 are rated anywhere between MERV 5 and 13.
How much E3 does a filter remove?
Just an FYI, but filters ranging from MERV 1 through MERV 4 typically only remove less than 20% of E3 particles.
What is the pressure drop for a health shield filter?
How's the pressure drop looking? Since it does provide the highest level of filtration, the Health Shield filter has the highest initial pressure drop at about 0.053 WG, which still should not pose any threat to your HVAC system.
What is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) Rating on Filters?
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Or in English, “how effective is your air filter?”
What is the difference between MERV 13-20 and MERV 7-12?
In general, most residential systems can adequately remove airborne contaminants with a filter rated MERV 7-12, while MERV 13-20 is typically found in hospital and pharmaceutical manufacturing settings. Advertisement.
What is a Merv 13 filter?
MERV 13 filters, for example, also scrub out bacteria, tobacco smoke, auto fumes, insecticide dust, pet dander, and more., which is why it’s the recommended rating of the ASHRAE.
What is the best filter for home air purifier?
When it comes to home air purifiers, HEPA filters are considered the best at removing at least 99.97 percent of airborne contaminants 0.3 microns in size, which is equivalent to MERV 16.
What is the best rating for HVAC?
According to the ASHRAE, the best rating for residential HVAC systems is MERV 13. But before you upgrade your filter, make sure your specific system can accommodate that rating. A higher MERV rating often means lower airflow, which can cause the system to work harder—use more energy—to do its job. If your home HVAC system is not capable of handling MERV 13, opt for a filter with the next highest rating possible.
What is MERV 17-20 used for?
MERV 17-20. Commonly used for facilities that house pharmaceutical manufacturing, orthopedic surgery rooms, radioactive and carcinogenic materials. Controls all of the particulates listed for MERV 1-16 above, in addition to virus carriers, carbon dust, sea salt, combustion smoke, radon progeny, and microscopic allergens.
How often do you change a Merv filter?
When you’re changing filters four times a year, that really adds up. So if you’re working with a builder to design a system, keep that in mind.
Bottom Line Up Front
MERV 8 air filters are exactly the opposite end of the spectrum of MERV 13 air filters. MERV 8 filters are best for homes with no need for intense filtration because they can only catch the majority of bigger microns. On the other hand, MERV 13 air filters are best for homes in serious need of filtration.
Main Differences between MERV 8 vs MERV 13
MERV 8 filters are affordable, whereas MERV 13 filters are more expensive.
What Is the Job of the Air Filter?
To keep your home’s climate comfortable, your heater and air conditioner must cycle warm and cool air around the house. Without proper air filters, the air will contain lots of contaminant particles. However, if you have high-quality air filters on your HVAC system, they will catch the majority of those particles.
What Are MERV Ratings?
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, which measures how effectively air filters do their job. The better a filter is at catching airborne contaminants, the higher its MERV rating will be. These ratings can be anywhere from MERV 1 to MERV 20.
MERV 8 Air Filters
We will start by looking at air filters with a MERV 8 rating. Although MERV 8 filters are on the lower end of common household air filters, that doesn’t mean they do a poor job. In many households, MERV 8 filters are a perfect choice.
MERV 13 Air Filters
Now, we will take a closer look at MERV 13 air filters. These filters are usually the highest-rated HVAC air filters found in residential homes. As you’ll see, filters with a MERV 13 rating are extremely effective at catching all airborne pollutants.
How Should You Decide between MERV 8 and MERV 13 Air Filters?
For the most part, deciding between MERV 8 and MERV 13 air filters shouldn’t be too difficult.
What is a 20x25 filter?
20x25 is marginal for a 4 ton unit, for the purpose of using high MERV filters. Assuming 1600 cfm, that's an air velocity of 460 fpm -- that's high for efficient filters in a residential application. It's OK for MERV 8, but a MERV 13 filter would typically produce upwards of 0.35" w.c. at that air speed. You can expect about 0.25" from a MERV 11. The extra 0.06" (assuming the FILCCCAR0020 has an initial pressure drop of 0.19" @1600 cfm) wouldn't kill your system, but if you install one you should change it more often -- the extra 0.06" comes at the expense of the amount of dust you want to capture, assuming the same final pressure drop when the filters are dirty and it's time to change them. Between you and me, I rarely see anyone wanting to change filters that are just a bit dirty, so in practice the idea of changing filters more often doesn't happen, so it's not a great idea to use MERV 11 filters in that system. It's like leaving a chocolate bar in your face all day or whatever your favorite dessert is. It depends on whether you have the discipline to do it. And just like you won't get fat from that dessert instantly, it won't damage your system instantly either. Or, you could have another filter box installed in parallel with the first one, to bring the airspeed down to 300 fpm or less.
What is the static pressure of a FILCCCAR0020?
Here's more specific advice. Every system has a static pressure "budget". According to Carrier data, the FILCCCAR0020 has an initial pressure drop of 0.2" @1700 cfm. That is about the maximum static pressure that you can allocate to filters. So, in theory you have no maneuvering room to increase the MERV rating of the filters. Sorry.
Do you need a filter box for MERV 13?
If you want MERV 13 filters you must have another filter box installed in parallel with the first one . Don't even try it with just that single one you have.
Can you compensate for a restrictive filter?
It's true that you can compensate a little for a restrictive filter by having bigger ducts. However you can't make ducts that create a negative pressure drop and push air through the filter -- there's a limit to how restrictive a filter you can use.
Can you use a Merv 11 if you have allergies?
A merv 11 should be fine if no one has allergies.
Can you go to a higher MERV without affecting air flow?
If its high, you can't go to a higher MERV without affecting air flow.
Is it a matter of equipment or duct system?
It's not a matter of your equipment,it has to do with how restrictive your duct system is.
Is a MERV 8 Air Filter Good Enough?
MERV 8 air filters are very common because it’s a pretty well-rounded option, so you might think that they’re great on price but bad on performance. They are affordable and can provide above average air filtration in homes. We aren’t surprised that MERV 8 air filters are the highest-rated products we sell.
What is the Difference Between MERV 11 vs MERV 8 Air Filters?
This comparison table helps highlight the differences between MERV 8 and MERV 11 filters so it would be easier to decide which one will work best.
What does MERV mean on air filters?
The MERV rating is there to tell you how efficient the air filter is in filtering out particles of certain sizes. This affects the types of air pollutants the air filter is able to capture.
How many microns are in a MERV 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 of fine particles, but a MERV 8 air filter can’t.
What filter can trap particles in the air?
A MERV 8 air filter can trap and block the following particles in the air:
What is a Merv 11 filter?
A MERV 11 air filter has a higher efficiency rating. Meaning, it can capture finer particles and clear more contaminants out of the air. But is MERV 11 too high for your needs?
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.
