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While filters rated with higher numbers perform better, any filters with a rating over 13 can damage your residential HVAC system. An air filter’s MERV rating is a scale from 1-16 that describes the minimum efficiency of the air filter. A low MERV rating means that the filter does not remove as many particulates from the air. Most air filters that are able to remove common allergens will have the word “allergy” or “allergen” on their packaging. Sometimes particles such as pollen, pet dander, and fine dust are able to sneak by your filter unless you get one with a higher MERV rating. For instance, the last time I went to the hardware store there was an entire aisle that was dedicated to just air filters!
But without an adequately MERV rated furnace filter, that’s exactly what you’ll be doing in your own home. Filters block out the particles we don’t want to breathe and improves the air quality inside our homes. A higher MERV rating often means lower airflow, which can make the system work harder and use more energy to do its job.
What is the best merv rating for home use?
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.
Fiberglass filters start at about $3, and pleated filters start at about $5. You should also know about the best furnace filter brands and the different types and sizes of filters. Once you know what the different MERV ratings mean, you can pick out the rating that will improve your air quality without choking your furnace in the process. For most of us, this means we often overlook what actually happens in the process. Even during a single breath, the air you breathe contains particles of dust, dirt, allergens and other microscopic contaminants that easily enter your lungs.
Air filter MERV rating
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.
Because they work so well at removing airborne pollutants, they must be regularly checked to ensure proper airflow. They remove large airborne particles that could otherwise damage your heater or air conditioner, but they do little in the way of improving your indoor air quality. Due to the dusty air in our area, Mesa homeowners with these filters should replace them about once a month. In 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. Pleated – In terms of maximum performance, pleated HVAC filters are the best.
Is a merv 11 filter a hepa filter?
Additionally, some crafty HVAC pros will put a filter size label near the filter compartment, along with the dates you need to change it. However, UV filters are not the best for filtering out dust particles and other kinds of contaminants, and you should use them in conjunction with a MERV filter. Our Essential+ filter has an initial pressure drop that's slightly higher than the Essential+, but not by anything significant as it comes in at about 0.03 WG.
Disposable pleated filters are more effective than disposable fiberglass filters, and they’re available in higher MERV ratings . Reusable metal filters are more convenient, but much more costly as well. They’re made of polyester or cotton paper sheets and are good at trapping small particles.
When Should You Change Your Filters?
Some systems cannot handle the reduced airflow, so an air filter rated between MERV-8 and MERV-10 will be sufficient. These filters can catch the majority of airborne particles, helping to improve your indoor air quality . Since MERV-8 doesn’t heavily restrict airflow, you shouldn’t have any issues. MERV 8 filters aren’t the best choice for residential HVAC systems, according the ASHRAE. Environmental Protection Agency, which would fall into the MERV 16 rating.
Filter replacements are one of the simplest ways to keep your furnace in top-notch shape. TimesMojo collects the most frequently asked questions on various topics and provides them to its users. The website is updated with new questions every day, so it is always up-to-date. Aside from that, this filter helps to prevent respiratory illness and infections such as asthma. If you are seeking better protection against these health problems, use MERV 11 instead.
HEPA filters are often considered the best when it comes to removing contaminants from at-home air. A filter with a MERV rating between 1 and 6 can remove particles between 0.3 and 10 microns with an efficiency of 20%. Basically, the higher the MERV rating, the greater the air filtration capabilities of a particular filter. Selecting the right MERV rating for your air filter is a balancing act between the capabilities of your HVAC system and the indoor air quality you want to achieve.
Filters that are more tightly woven make it harder for air to pass through. This creates a decrease in air flow and a higher pressure drop. As long as you have an air filter installed in your air return, there's no way to avoid pressure drop.
Find out what the highest MERV-rated filter is that still allows for maximum airflow in your system. Look for cleaners with MERV ratings of 10 or higher, as this indicates a more efficient filter. Healthy Climate® air cleaners feature filters with MERV 11 ratings and up.
ASHRAE standard 52.2 describes the methods and procedures for evaluating the performance of air filters as a function of particle size. In layman’s terms, it sets forth the minimum amount of particles that a filter must capture in order to obtain a specified MERV rating. Medium Efficiency Filters These filters begin to provide average quality air filtration with merv ratings between 5 and... These filters are composed of polyester or cotton folds and are more expensive than fiberglass filters.
A MERV rating of 1-6 is the lowest range of MERV ratings, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you should write off a filter with a rating in this range. These types of filters do have their uses in certain situations. Most aluminum and mesh filters and cheap air filters fall within this range. The chart also uses percentages based on the chances of an air filter capturing dust particles based on the size of the microns. As the MERV rating goes up, a filter has higher chances of capturing smaller and smaller particles.
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