However, a Merv 8 filter captures less than 20% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns. That means things like pet dander, smoke, and some airborne bacteria are likely to pass through a Merv 8 filter. Note that the MERV 5-8 range can only capture air pollutants of 3.0 microns or greater. As a result, MERV 8 filters capture medium-sized particles, such as aerosols, mold and dust.
For most homes, this isn't enough. Harmful viruses and bacteria will continue to circulate in your home, as will smoke and other forms of air pollution. If you have allergies, pets, or live near smoke pollution, choosing a Merv 13 filter is the ideal choice. But if you simply need a filter to trap pollen, dust mites, and hair, a MERV 8 filter should definitely do its job.
To further increase indoor air quality, household air purifiers employing HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters can, in theory, remove 99.97 percent of mold, pollen, bacteria and other particles as small as 0.3 microns, according to the U. MERV stands for “minimum efficiency report value”, and is a measure of how well a central air filter removes particles from the air. Filter technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, and Merv ratings are designed to help us determine the most effective and efficient air filter options for heating and cooling systems and more. Medium MERV filters provide much more filtration than basic MERV 1-4 filters with central air systems, which capture only visible to the naked eye contaminants, such as pet hair and dust rabbits, but not fine particles such as smoke.
The common air filter in residential applications today generally has a merv rating between MERV 5 and MERV 13.So why do we suggest MERV 13 specifically? Your home's HVAC system ultimately determines which air filter you can use. While a Merv 13 filter can trap dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria, it can also filter smoke, smog, and even virus carriers. While MERV 8 is known to be effective at filtering contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores, and lint from the air, higher MERV ratings will clean the air even more. MERV 1-4 filters are virtually ineffective because they only capture the largest particles and are considered the minimum threshold for air filtration.
Upgrading to a MERV 13 filter is both cost-effective and the most efficient option to ensure clean, quality air for your indoor space. The higher the MERV rating of a filter, the less dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. It's best to comply with oven manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system. However, for particles common in home air, such as pet dander and mold spores, a MERV 13 air filter is an excellent choice for many homeowners.
A higher MERV rating often means lower airflow, which can make the system work harder and use more energy to do its job.
