Is MERV 16 better than MERV 13?

MERV rating 13-16

MERV 13-16 filters are capable of trapping 90% or more of particles in the 1.0-10.0 micron range. MERV 13 will prevent less than 75% of the 0.3-1.0 micron particles from passing through, MERV 14 will get up to 84%, MERV 15 up to 94% and MERV 16 can trap 95% or more of the smallest particles.

Is MERV 16 too high?

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.

Are MERV 16 filters worth it?

MERV, otherwise known as Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a measurement scale that rates the effectiveness of filters at trapping airborne particles. The scale ranges from 1-16, with 16 being the most effective.

Is MERV 16 a hospital grade?

In general, filters with a rating of MERV 16 or below are considered to be HVAC-system-grade filters for residential, commercial and general hospital use. MERV 17 through MERV 20 filters are typically used in surgical operating rooms, clean rooms and other contexts that require absolute cleanliness.

What MERV rating is best 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.

Filter Airflow and Pressure Drop Demo (now with MERV13)

Is MERV 13 too high for HVAC?

MERV 13 air filters are the highest-rated air filters for home use. Any air filter with a rating higher than 13 will restrict air flow to the point of which could cause damage to your HVAC system, resulting in an added expense to fix it.

Is MERV 16 a HEPA?

HEPA Filters: High Efficiency Particulate Air

While a MERV 16 filter captures >95% of particles in the entire test range (0.3-10.0 microns), a HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles with a size of 0.3 microns. The filtering efficiency is even higher for particles larger or smaller than 0.3 microns.

Can my furnace handle MERV 16?

All central air furnaces and air conditioning units can handle MERV 16 filters; however, since MERV 16 filters tend to be quite deep when compared to traditional filters, the installation of a dedicated aftermarket housing is required, which is not always feasible.

How long do MERV 16 filters last?

The basic recommendation for furnace filters replacement is every 3-4 months for MERV 8, every 6 months MERV 10 and 11 and every year for MERV 16.

What is the benefit of a MERV 16 carbon filter?

Highly effective protection against allergens

The Carbon Clean 16's MERV 16 Precision PleatTM helps protect your family from more than 95% of allergy-aggravating particles ranging in size down to 0.3 microns. It helps remove germs like viruses, bacteria and mold.

What does MERV 16 mean?

The MERV value is from 1 to 20. Higher MERV values correspond to a greater percentage of particles captured on each pass, with a MERV 16 filter capturing more than 95% of particles over the full range.

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.

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 there a downside to high MERV filters?

If the higher-MERV filter reduces air flow, as is the case with systems using PSC motors, it has only a very slight impact on fan energy use. But if ECM motors are used, the impact can be significant (see Figure 4).

What's the difference between MERV 11 and MERV 16?

The higher the MERV number, the smaller the holes, and fewer airborne particles can pass through.

Is higher MERV better?

Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings indicate how effective air filters are at trapping airborne particulates, such as dust, dirt and pollen. The higher the MERV rating, the fewer particles are able to pass through.

How often do MERV 13 filters need to be replaced?

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.

Do HEPA filters have MERV ratings?

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 a HEPA air purifier remove coronavirus?

Portable air cleaners and HVAC filters can reduce indoor air pollutants, including viruses, that are airborne. By themselves, portable air cleaners and HVAC filters are not enough to protect people from the virus that causes COVID-19.

Is there a MERV 15 filter?

MERV 15 filtration is capable of capturing particles between 0.3 micros and 1.0 with 98% efficiency. A MERV 15 furnace filter is perfect for anyone suffering from allergies, asthmas or have elderly residents and anyone with compromised immune systems.

What MERV rating is equivalent to 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 13 good for residential?

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.

Do pleated furnace filters restrict airflow?

Because they restrict airflow to your HVAC system. Pleated, high-MERV filters definitely capture a lot of pollutants, but they also restrict the movement of air into your blower or furnace. As a result, the fan has to work harder to heat and cool your home, reducing efficiency.

What level of furnace filter should I use?

The higher the MERV, the better the filter. Typical MERV ratings for residential furnace filters are between 6 and 12. If you're concerned about indoor air quality, the Environmental Working Group recommends a MERV 10 or higher.