Will MERV 11 filter 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 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.

Can high MERV filter damage my furnace?

If the MERV rating on your furnace is too high, it may force your furnace to work too hard and leave it vulnerable to damages.

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).

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.

Is MERV 13 Too Much For My Furnace?

Are MERV 11 filters good?

MERV 11 rated air filters have a filtration efficiency of a little over 90%, making them highly efficient. MERV 11 furnace filters effectively trap pollen, dust, lint, dust mites, and mold, along with smoke, pet dander, smog, auto emissions, bacteria, and other such fine particles.

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.

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.

Is MERV 12 better than MERV 11?

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%.

What is a good MERV rating for furnace filters?

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. Choosingthe right MERV rating for your furnace filter has a major impact on your indoor air quality, your HVAC system and, most important, your family's well-being.

Can I use higher MERV filter?

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 hurt my HVAC?

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 13 safe for my HVAC?

Many home HVAC systems will have a MERV-8 filter installed as the default. Upgrading to a MERV-13 rated filter, or the highest-rated filter that your HVAC system fan and filter slot can accommodate, could improve the system's efficacy in removing viruses from circulated air.

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.

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 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.

Does MERV 11 filter smoke?

A MERV 11 filter traps all that stuff plus pet dander, smoke, smog, and airbornes from coughs and sneezes. A MERV 11 is a must if you have kids or pets. It will filter out a lot of the most common air pollutants and irritants. Allergy sufferers definitely need one of these too.

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.

Why are the highest rated MERV filters not used in residential applications?

Why are the highest rated MERV filters not used in residential applications? Most residential air conditioning equipment can not operate correctly at pressure drops exceeding .

Do you have to turn off furnace to change filter?

To Change Your Home Air Filter, You'll Need To Turn Off Your Furnace. To prevent the HVAC unit from turning on while you are changing the filter, make sure you turn the thermostat to the “off” position. This will help protect your HVAC system from loose debris or maybe a loose filter fitting escaping into the duct.

What is the most common MERV rating?

In the U.S., the MERV 8 filter has proven to be the most common filter on the market.

Can I use a MERV 13 filter in my Trane furnace?

Clear The Air's Trane Perfect Fit Merv 13 filters are the best possible choice in residential HVAC filtration. It removes 96% of allergens, fine particles, dust, pollen, dust mites, bacteria, mold spores, pet dander, smoke, gases & odors.

Is MERV better than HEPA?

High Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA have an even higher performance than MERV 16. 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.

Do HEPA filters stop 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 MERV 10 good?

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