Does a Higher MERV Rating Make Your AC Work Harder?

When it comes to residential HVAC systems, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a MERV rating of 13. But before you upgrade your filter, it is important to make sure that your system can handle the classification. A higher MERV rating often means lower airflow, which can cause your system to work harder and use more energy. If the MERV rating is too high, it can put too much strain on the system and lead to damage. Additionally, air may not reach the speed necessary to reach all parts of the house, resulting in temperature inconsistencies. If you want to remove more material from the air, you can use a filter with a different material.

These filters have much smaller pores, allowing them to trap more contaminants from the air stream. However, they also add more resistance. Filters with a MERV rating between 1 and 6 can remove particles between 0.3 and 10 microns with an efficiency of 20%.MERV 13 filters are effective at preventing droplets from passing through. While higher MERV ratings are best for air quality, they can be damaging to your HVAC system.

That's why it is essential to choose an air filter that matches the recommended MERV rating for your system. While you might think that a higher MERV rating means a better filter, that is not always the case. The MERV rating is important because it helps you understand the effectiveness of an air filter so you can select the one that best suits your needs. Air filters with a MERV rating equal to or greater than 8 are thicker, meaning less space for air to circulate. Washing an alcohol-based filter with high MERV content could be your best option if you want to avoid any strange or dangerous chemical reactions. A MERV rating of 13 to 16 is considered hospital-grade air quality, so it is unlikely that your home needs more than that.