What MERV rating should I use in my house?

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.

Does MERV 11 restrict airflow?

Be aware, too, that some retailers also use their own rating system instead of MERV. A decade ago, it used to be that if you had an HVAC system that used panel filters rated 6 through 9 MERV, putting in a MERV 11 or higher filter would restrict airflow (known as filter pressure drop).

Is MERV 13 too high for residential?

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.

Is MERV 12 too high for HVAC?

When in doubt, choose a MERV 8 to MERV 10 filter rated for high airflow, so it won't damage your furnace or air handler. Or you can ask a certified HVAC technician what filter is best for your furnace or air handler.

What is a good MERV rating for AC?

According to the ASHRAE, the best rating for residential HVAC systems is MERV 13. But before you upgrade your filter, make sure your specific system can accommodate that rating. A higher MERV rating often means lower airflow, which can cause the system to work harder—use more energy—to do its job.

Replacing Your Air Filter - Which One to Choose?

Do MERV 13 filters help with 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.

Will MERV 12 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.

Will MERV 13 damage my furnace?

What Are MERV 13 Air Filters? 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 11 OK for my furnace?

Increased usage can lead to more wear and tear, so make sure to regularly maintain your furnace. MERV 11 filters however, are not considered to be too high for residential use. Anything higher than a MERV 11 is designed for commercial or households with family members suffering from respiratory issues.

Are MERV 14 filters bad for HVAC?

So if you're using a filter with holes that are smaller than recommended (such as a MERV 14), you're essentially plugging up your HVAC system. And that can be expensive. Not to mention, it can cause other problems, too.

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 11 or 13 better?

MERV 11 furnace filters have a particle arrestance of a little over 90%. In comparison, MERV 13 HVAC filters have a particle arrestance of around 98%. Naturally, it is significantly more efficient. MERV 11 rated air filters are ideal for those who live in a moderately polluted area, have mild allergies, or own a pet.

Is MERV 8 or 11 better?

A MERV 11 rated filter captures 85% or better of particles between the sizes of 0.3 and 10 microns. This may not seem like a significant difference compared to the MERV 8 filter, but a MERV 11 is also more capable of capturing between 65% and 79% of smaller particles.

Is MERV 11 too high for HVAC?

In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn't too high for residential use. Generally speaking, anything under a MERV 13 air filter should provide very efficient air purification in a home without impacting airflow.

Is MERV 10 good enough?

A filter with a MERV rating of around 10 to 12 is sufficient to remove most allergy-causing particles from your home's air.

Is MERV 11 better than 12?

MERV rating 9-12

Filters in this range can trap more than 85% of the particles sized 3.0-10.0 microns. A MERV 9 will trap less than 50% of particles sized 1.0-3.0 microns, MERV 10 will stop up to 64%, MERV 11 will get up to 79%, and MERV 12 is capable of catching up to 89%.

How often should you change a MERV 11 filter?

Change Filters Often

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.

What does MERV 11 remove?

MERV 11 is effective at controlling dust, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Applicable in most commercial buildings, residences, industrial workplaces, and paint booths.

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.

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.

Can my furnace handle a MERV 14?

MERV filters 1-4 are only good for blocking large particles from damaging your furnace. 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.

Are MERV 11 filters good for coronavirus?

Therefore, a filter with a MERV rating of at least 13 would efficiently capture the COVID-19 virus particles, and it could help reduce the spread of COVID-19 indoors. Filters with a MERV rating of 11 can capture some coronavirus particles (65%), but MERV 13 are more effective, removing 85% of particles at 0.3 microns.

How often should MERV 14 filters be changed?

Your furnace's owner's manual will specify the best MERV rating for your furnace, and in general, filters with a MERV rating of 6 through 9 should be changed every 90 days, while those with a MERV rating of 10 through 12 should be changed every 60 days.

What MERV level 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.

Does MERV 8 filter mold?

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