Overall, the best MERV rating for a home is between 8 and 10. These filters will capture a large part of the particles in the air and improve indoor air quality without causing your energy costs to increase significantly. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. MERV ratings are a rating system designed by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers) to inform the effectiveness of air filters. Not all filters are created equal. The higher the number, the better the filter.
Although your HVAC system may not handle a larger number. While most professionals recommend MERV 8-12 for home HVAC systems, we also offer MERV 13 air filters. This rating is more efficient than MERV 8 and 11 with the ability to filter even more allergens from the air. If you or someone in your family has severe respiratory allergies, this will be a good filter option for you. This is the maximum MERV rating you would want in your home.
MERV 13 air filters place a slight strain on your HVAC system operations, as less air can pass through. In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn't too tall for residential use. Generally speaking, anything under a MERV 13 air filter should provide very efficient air purification in a home without affecting airflow. Meanwhile, air filters with a MERV 14 rating or higher are designed for commercial HVAC systems that can handle the coarsest filter material. One thing to keep in mind is that a MERV 11 air filter may need to be changed a little more frequently than a MERV 8 air filter. They may seem to be almost the same, but MERV 8 air filters and MERV 11 air filters have a few different differences.
Since the MERV rating system is standard, it makes it a little easier to compare filters with different MERV ratings. A MERV rating will let you know how many particles can escape through the filter and how efficiently the airflow can move through your system. Air filters with higher MERV ratings can filter more, but the thickness of the filter material can restrict airflow. The best MERV rating for your home will depend on what you want to filter and the amount of airflow your HVAC system needs to operate. The lowest ratings, MERV 1 - 8, are the least efficient at filtering particles, but they do allow the lowest air resistance. Air filters with the highest MERV ratings are designed to trap the smallest particles and tend to be coarser.
If you're not sure what type of filter and which MERV ratings are best for your home, call Phyxter Home Services. MERV 8 air filters are very common because they are quite a complete option, so you might think that they are excellent in price but poor in performance. If your home's HVAC system is not capable of handling MERV 13, opt for a filter with the next highest possible rating. In particular, using an air cleaner with a MERV rating that is too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. Filters with higher MERV ratings should be changed more frequently (at least every three months) to avoid restricted airflow that can cause the system to operate inefficiently or even damage it. Each air filter has its advantages and disadvantages, but both MERV 8 air filters and MERV 11 air filters are suitable for residential use.
