Is a MERV 6 filter good?

Furnace filters with MERV ratings between 6-8 are the cheapest ones and are considered the bare minimum of efficiency. MERV 6-8 filters protect your HVAC system, but are not considered the most effective at catching large portions of airborne particles.

What MERV is good for Covid?

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 does MERV 6 mean?

MERV 6 is the lowest MERV rating offered by AirFilters.com. Though not recommended for allergy and asthma sufferers, filters with a MERV 6 rating are 8 times more efficient than the regular cheap fiberglass filters. Filters with a MERV 6 rating will remove large particles like allergens, dirt, debris, lint, dust, etc.

Is MERV 6 or MERV 8 better?

Filters in the 5-8 MERV value range are also able to trap particles with 3.0-10.0 microns in size, but they are more efficient in doing so. A MERV 5 filter will trap up to 34%, MERV 6 will stop 35-49%, MERV 7 will prevent up to 69%, and MERV 8 will catch up to 85% of particles.

What MERV rating is best for home use?

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.

Replacing Your Air Filter - Which One to Choose?

What MERV filter does carrier recommend?

Selecting a good quality filter with 12 – 16 MERV to remove a high percentage of offending particulates. Be sure to check your filter at a minimum of once per month.

Is MERV 5 too low?

MERV 5-8 Filters: MERV ratings of 5 to 8 indicate a medium-quality filter that's sufficient for most homes. They trap particles as small as 3 microns, which include mold spores, animal dander, and the highly allergenic droppings of dust mites.

Will MERV 8 hurt my furnace?

The short answer is that it can, but it's not really an issue except under extreme circumstances. Most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with higher MERV filters, which is why millions of homeowners depend on them.

Is MERV 4 good enough?

And so, many of the particles that are regularly around us, such as pollen and dust mites — even hair spray and mold spores — are not filtered out by a MERV 4 air filter. Because of that, for homes we recommend a MERV rating above 4.

Does MERV 8 filter smoke?

However, a MERV 8 filter captures less than 20% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns. That means things like pet dander, smoke, and some airborne bacteria are likely to get through a MERV 8 filter.

What MERV is HEPA?

A HEPA is the creme de la creme of air filters with an equivalent rating of a MERV 17 or higher. A HEPA filter at a MERV 17 rating will trap 99.97% of air particles that are 0.3 microns in size, but capture an even higher percentage of particles smaller or larger than that size.

Is MERV 8 or 11 better?

MERV 8 vs MERV 11 AIR FLOW

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.

Which air filter is best for Covid?

The longer they run, the more particles they will likely remove. When assembling a DIY air cleaner, choose a high-efficiency filter, rated MERV 13 or higher, for better filtration.

Does AC spread Covid?

With that said, coronavirus and air conditioning can be a potentially deadly combination, as air ducts and vents can be a safe space for the virus, even when the rest of the building is cleaned comprehensively.

What type of HVAC filter should I use?

HEPA Filter — HVAC replacement companies typically recommend HEPA filters because they can provide the highest protection level when it comes to airborne particles. This filter is capable of capturing small microns, and has a MERV rating between 17 and 20, meaning it can trap tobacco smoke and bacteria.

What is the right MERV for my furnace?

Remember, there are always other options out there to improve your indoor air quality if your system can't handle the MERV ratings you require. Generally speaking, our recommended MERV rating for furnace filters runs from 6 to 8 for a great balance between top furnace efficiency and home comfort.

What MERV Can my furnace handle?

MERV 13 is the highest MERV value safe for residential furnaces; the higher ratings are used primarily in commercial units. If you are wondering what MERV to try, keep these recommendations in mind; ASHRAE recommends MERV 6 or higher. US Department of Energy recommends MERV 13.

Does MERV 8 filter mold?

A MERV 8 filter traps pollen and dust, but also dust mites and mold spores.

Is MERV 8 or 10 better?

Although it is true that 10 is a larger number than 8, and MERV-10 does capture more particles than MERV-8 captures the question that remains is HOW MUCH more does it capture.

What MERV rating Do I Need 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.

Are pleated filters bad for AC?

Pleated filters are bad for your system because they block too much air, forcing the HVAC motor to work harder to pull in the air it needs and burning it out faster.

Can air filters 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.

Is a MERV 5 filter good?

Using an air filter with a MERV rating of about 5 to 8 is appropriate for most residential homes. MERV 5 – MERV 8 filters provide good filtration and will remove most pollen, mold spores, and dust mites.