What Does Merv Mean For Air Filters

MERV rating is an abridgement forMinimum Efficiency Reporting Value.

A MERV rating tells you, on a scale of ane-16, how effectively your filter traps the small particles you lot don't desire circulating through your home. The higher a MERV rating, the college the amount of particles the filter traps.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) established the ratings organization in 1987. Each filter'south rating represents its lowest possible operation, meaning every MERV rating answers the question, "worst example scenario, how many particles will this filter trap?"

MERV 8

MERV eight pleated filters are made with synthetic media. They catch modest particles and allergens, between three-10 microns in size. They are a decent upgrade from cheaper disposable products.

MERV eleven

MERV xi pleated filters are also made with synthetic media and are step up from Merv 8, without a pregnant price increase. A very practiced upgrade, providing good indoor air quality.

Merv 13 Furnace Filter

MERV 13

MERV 13 pleated filters are besides constructed with synthetic media. Fantabulous filtration notwithstanding, non suitable for most hvac systems due to air flow resistance. Check with your furnace manufacturer to ensure that your arrangement is designed for this type of filter.

So should I buy filters with loftier MERV ratings?

Yous'd adopt a 5-star hotel to a 2-star hotel but should you prefer a filter with a MERV rating of 16 to one with a rating of ix? Probably non.

If your filter has a loftier MERV rating, you know it'southward highly effective in preventing things like pollen, leaner and pet dander from circulating throughout your domicile; even so, it may be overly effective in preventing air itself from circulating, which is a bad thing. The end result of less air circulation may exist poorer overall air quality in your habitation. Furthermore, more than resistance means more work for your HVAC system. If you're using a filter with a MERV rating that'southward not compatible with your system, inefficiency and loftier energy costs may be the consequence. Over the long-term if your HVAC system becomes overworked, y'all may be faced with costly repairs.

What MERV rating should my filter accept?

The answer to this question will vary based on your HVAC organisation, but mostly aiming for a MERV rating betwixt eight and 13 is ideal for the typical domicile. Remember, you should make sure your filter and your system piece of work in harmony. Filters with high MERV ratings may remove more harmful contaminates from your home, but they may actually reduce the quality of the air yous breath if you select a filter with a MERV rating that'due south too high for your HVAC system. You'll also have to change these filters more frequently than filters with a lower MERV rating.

HVAC system aside, you may be thinking 8 to xiii is a pretty wide range. If three families had identical HVAC systems in their homes that were compatible with filters that accept a variety of MERV ratings, should they all be using the same type of filter? Once again, it depends.

Is this your Household?

Household 1

Perhaps ane household is comprised of two newlyweds who are working hard to jumpstart their careers. They accept no time for pets, neither of them fume and they rarely have guests over. They select an air filter with a MERV rating of 8. There are only two of them, they accept no allergies, they don't fume and don't often accept guests over to bring in dust and dirt.

Household 2

A family of five resides in the 2d household. The children are between the ages of viii and fifteen. They're all salubrious kids who are into sports, and their parents enjoy hosting team dinners for each of their chilren, who have friends over often either way. They likewise have a young lab. They select an air filter with a MERV rating of eleven.

No i in this family suffers from a breathing condition that would warrant ownership a filter with a higher MERV rating, merely more dirt, dust and other contaminants find their way into this home every time they have guests over. Lucy the lab joins the guests and family members themselves in churning up these contaminants within their home, and she leaves behind pet dander. They need an air filter that traps a few more particles than our offset household, just they don't need the highest level of protection.

Household 3

Finally, a family of six lives in the third household. Everyone chips in to take care of Grandma, who lives with them, and has emphysema. They don't have any pets because the children seem to have the aforementioned allergies that their female parent does, but occasionally host friends and family. They select an air filter with a MERV rating of 13. Because virtually of the family take allergies and the grandmother has a severe animate problem, and because there are six people bringing contaminants in as opposed to one or ii, a relatively high MERV rating is in their all-time interest.

Do some research about your system to find out what MERV rating is ideal for you lot. And, don't forget to change your filters, otherwise the MERV rating volition be the least of your worries!