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 good?
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 .
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. A filter with a MERV rating of 13 to 16 captures particles greater than 0.3 micrometers.
What MERV rating do I need for Covid 19?
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.
What MERV rating is best for home use?
As a general rule, residences do not use higher than MERV 8 filters . We do recommend that everyone uses filters that have at least an 8 MERV rating. These filters will remove the majority of pollutants from your indoor air.
Is MERV 12 bad for HVAC?
High MERV filters, specifically MERV 12 to MERV 16 filters, stop more and smaller particles of pollutants, allergens and other junk that leads to bad indoor air quality (IAQ). That’s a fact. ... It turns out that sometimes due to unintended consequences of high MERV filters, the cure is worse than the problem.
What does MERV 12 filter out?
MERV rating 9-12
This range of MERV values can begin trapping particles in the 1.0-3.0 micron range. In this range, we start to see pet dander, lung-damaging dust, and auto-emissions trapped . Filters in this range can trap more than 85% of the particles sized 3.0-10.0 microns.
Is MERV 11 better than 12?
We do not carry MERV 12; MERV 11 does just as good a job . ... MERV 12 filters trap 80 to 89 percent of average particles of 1.0 to 3.0 microns, with an average particle size efficiency of 90 percent or better. As you can see, they’re pretty close. That’s why you’re just as good going with a MERV 11 as with a MERV 12.
Can I replace Merv 11 with MERV 12?
In general no. In order to use a Merv 12 to replace a Merv 11, you need to know if you system can handle the extra pressure drop caused by the higher efficiency Merv 12 . My heat pump/ ventilation system cannot support the pressure drop of a Merv 12. Compressors operated above design limit will die sooner than normal.
What MERV rating is HEPA?
All HEPA filters have a rating of a MERV 17 or higher . A HEPA filter with a MERV 17 rating will trap 99.97% of air particles that are 0.3-1.0 micron in size and an even better % of particles below 0.3 microns and above (HEPA filters are rated at their worst performance).
Will MERV 13 hurt my furnace?
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.
What is the difference between Merv 8 and MERV 11?
MERV 8 vs MERV 11 AIR FLOW
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 MERV rating can my furnace handle?
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. Your system may handle MERV 14-16 with no discernable stress.
How do I choose a MERV rating?
- 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.
What MERV rating Do I Need for allergies?
MERV ratings of 9-11 mean at least 90% particulate resistance. If you suffer from extreme allergies, you’ll want to look for a filter with at least a MERV rating of nine . These filters capture particles as small as one micron. MERV ratings of 12-16 are reserved for rooms that need absolute cleanliness.
Does MERV 12 filter smoke?
Controls all of the contaminants listed for MERV 1-12 above, in addition to bacteria, tobacco smoke, automobile fumes, sneeze particles, insecticide dust, copier ink fumes, pet dander, and cosmetic dust. Filters down to particles 0.3 to 1 micron in size.
