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Since higher-rate filters allow less air to flow through your furnace, it’s a good idea to check if your system has a maximum MERV rating. The wrong type of air filter can force your furnace to work harder and increase the risk of it breaking down. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, which is a rating system designed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers . The rating indicates the size of particles the air filter is designed to capture. Ranging from 1 to 20, the larger the number, the better the filter is at catching small particles.
The end count compared to the total amount of particles is then converted into a percentage representing how many particles were successfully filtered out of the air. The worst percentage out of the six tests is selected as the official measurement used to determine a filter's MERV rating. If we didn't use the worst score, it would just be called ERV, which is nowhere near as cool of a name. MERV ratings are determined by a filter's effectiveness at filtering particles of different sizes.
Disposable Pleated Filters
For example, if an air filter can capture at least 20% of E1, 65% of E2, and 85% of E3 particulates, it will earn a Merv 11 rating. When buying oven air filters, don't confuse MERV with other sorting systems that may appear on packaging . The following table shows the different MERV classifications and their typical uses, as well as the typical material and shape with which they are made.
Industrial or lab-standard “Clean rooms” are the primary use for MERV 17 through 20 filters. It’s easy to jump to the filters with the highest ratings and assume those would be best for your furnace, but they’re not. In general, most household furnaces operate efficiently while keeping residents safe using a filter with a MERV rating of 7-12.
What It Can Remove
They make furnace filters with MERV ratings of 8, 11, and 13. When shopping for furnace air filters, don’t confuse MERV with other rating systems that may appear on packaging . This isn’t to say one system is right and the other is wrong – they’re just rated by different standards.
It will filter out a lot of the most common air pollutants and irritants. Filters with MERV-13 or higher ratings can trap smaller particles, including viruses. Many home HVAC systems will have a MERV-8 filter installed as the default.
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They are wider than fiberglass and electrostatic filters, allowing them to trap more particles. Upgrade your HVAC system to fit thicker pleated filters if anyone in your family has asthma, allergies, or breathing difficulties. A filter with a MERV rating of around 10 to 12 is sufficient to remove most allergy-causing particles from the air in your home. In contrast, a high MERV rating indicates that the filter does a good job of removing particles from the air.
If choosing the right air filter for your HVAC system is confusing, you’re not alone! From the right size to the best MERV rating, making sure you have the best air quality in your home or office can be a challenging process. For example, a better MERV rating doesn't always mean a filter is the best option for your oven. The higher MERV rating means that an air filter will capture the most dust, while the lower rating means that a filter will capture the least amount of dust. This rating is more efficient than MERV 8 and 11 with the ability to filter even more allergens from the air.
So you should have a good idea of the rating that will be appropriate for your household. You just need to consider type, size, and brand to find the best filter for your furnace. Filters with mid-range MERV ratings from 4-12 are typically used in residential spaces.
Higher MERV ratings aren't always necessary and can decrease your unit's efficiency. The best MERV rating will be the one that suits your needs and lets your unit run efficiently. One of the best ways to determine what MERV rating you should use is to compare the options side-by-side. Below is a quick rundown with details on some of the most common MERV ratings for air filters. Usually, 1” air filters require replacement every two to three months, while larger box-style filters 4” thick can last up to a full year.
This will allow them to freely circulate around your home, which may trigger allergies if you’re sensitive to these particles. You could buy an air filter with a lower rating, such as a MERV-5 filter. However, although airflow is optimized, the size of the pores in the filter allows more particles to pass through. While MERV 13 and 14 are recommended by the ASHRAE, it’s best to select a filter with the highest MERV rating possible for your specific HVAC system. The type of air filter is an important thing to keep in mind as it can determine how clean and healthy the air quality in your home will be.
In most cases, you should replace lower MERV filters every month. You might spend less on these filters, but you’ll need to change them far more often than higher-rated filters. While one can’t filter outdoor air, you can filter indoor air! The air in your home is the one place you truly have control over, thanks to filtration.
Generally, a merv rating between 6 and 13 meets the needs of most residences. This range offers a good balance between air filtration, air flow and affordability. If you select an air filter with a merv 13 rating, it can last up to six months before it needs to be replaced.
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.
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