Indoor air quality is an important factor in the health and comfort of your family. Selecting the right air filter is essential to make sure your home is free from allergens and other airborne particles. Low-efficiency filters are usually in the MERV 1-4 range, while high-efficiency filters are MERV 13 and higher. The higher the filter rating, the smaller the particles it will capture and the higher the percentage of particles it will trap.
The MERV scale is not linear; the difference between a MERV 6 and a MERV 8 is almost double in terms of the percentage of particles captured. Using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high can be just as bad as using one that is too low. Air filters with higher MERV ratings can filter more, but the thickness of the filter material can restrict airflow. This can lead to decreased comfort, increased energy use, and accelerated wear and tear of heating, ventilation and air conditioning components. In particular, using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger and air conditioning coil. If someone has an allergy or respiratory problem, opt for a MERV 11 air filter or even a MERV 13 air filter.
While filters with low MERV ratings may be cheaper, they can cause costly system problems in the long run. On the other hand, filters rated higher than MERV 13 can negatively affect the performance of the heating and air conditioning system. For example, demanding structures such as hospitals, clean rooms and nuclear power plants often require air filters with a MERV rating of 16 to 20. MERV 11 air filters can filter out a large percentage of fine particles, but a MERV 8 air filter cannot. The MERV classification serves to indicate how efficient the air filter is at filtering particles of certain sizes. This comparison chart helps highlight the differences between the MERV 8 and MERV 11 filters to make it easier to decide which one will work best.
With the lowest MERV rating (1-), the filter will continue to capture pollen, dust mites, cockroach debris, sanding dust, spray paint dust, textile fibers and carpet fibers. It may seem that they are almost the same thing, but there are some clear distinctions between a MERV 8 and a MERV 11 air filter. Keep in mind that as the MERV rating increases, the filter becomes more restrictive and more pressure and energy will be needed to pass air through it. If the filter is too dirty or too strong, it can cause airflow problems that impair efficiency and performance. To determine resistance, filters use the MERV rating system.
In short, the higher the MERV rating, the stronger the filter will be. A filter with a higher MERV score can help remove more contaminants from the air. This will reduce common allergic symptoms such as runny nose, persistent sneezing, sore throat, skin rashes, eye irritation, headaches and fatigue. Both MERV 8 air filters and MERV 11 air filters are suitable for residential use. The MERV rating is essential to finding the right furnace filter for your home. If you're trying to decide between a MERV 8 air filter and a MERV 11 air filter here's what you need to know:.
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