Air filters with MERV 13 or higher are recommended for those who prioritize air quality and may have to manage asthma, severe allergies, and other similar circumstances. A higher MERV rating means greater resistance, which means less airflow. When researching HVAC systems, airflow will increase a lot. This is because it is very important to the performance and longevity of your oven or your air handler.
Airflow is also the key to a comfortable home. The higher the MERV rating, the less airflow there will be. There will be a lot of references to airflow when looking at HVAC systems. That's because it's critical to the efficiency and lifespan of your oven and your air controller.
Generally, a filter with a higher MERV rating will reduce airflow. However, there are many other factors at play, such as the size of the filter and the type of fan motor in your HVAC system. With the Filter King filter selection tool, you can mark exactly the size, thickness and MERV rating you're looking for. 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.
E1, E2, and E3 particles are particle range sizes used in air filter tests to determine a MERV rating. If your home's HVAC system is not capable of handling MERV 13, opt for a filter with the next highest possible rating. Hospital-level air quality requires a MERV rating of 13 to 16, which is unlikely to be needed in your home. Unlike other scales, which emphasized the need to increase the number of particles passing through an air filter, MERV was designed to offer a balance between particle filtering and energy efficiency.
If you are susceptible to allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, you may want to use a filter with a MERV rating of approximately 10 to 12.The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) of an air filter is a method of determining the effectiveness of a filter in trapping particles of various sizes. With the lowest MERV rating (1-), your filter will continue to capture pollen, dust mites, cockroach debris, sanding dust, spray paint dust, textile fibers, and carpet fibers. Sometimes particles such as pollen, pet dander, and fine dust can sneak through the filter unless you get one with a higher MERV rating. The table below shows the different MERV classifications and their typical uses, as well as the typical material and shape with which they are made.
While the air filter is designed to control the amount of unwanted air particles entering your home, your filter's MERV rating is meant to show you which filter is best for your home. The MERV scale ranges from 1 to 20, with filters in medical facilities, such as hospitals, that have a MERV rating of 20 or higher. MERV 5 — MERV 8 filters provide good filtration and remove most pollen, mold spores and dust mites.
