When it comes to selecting the right MERV rating for your home's HVAC system, it's important to understand the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) classification system. According to ASHRAE, the best rating for residential HVAC systems is MERV 13. However, before you upgrade your filter, make sure that your specific system can handle this classification. A higher MERV rating often means lower airflow, which can cause the system to work harder and use more energy to do its job.
In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter is suitable for residential use. Generally speaking, anything under a MERV 13 air filter should provide very efficient air purification in a home without affecting air flow. Meanwhile, air filters rated MERV 14 or higher are designed for commercial HVAC systems that can handle the thicker filter material. Overall, our recommended MERV rating for oven filters ranges from 6 to 8 to achieve a great balance between maximum oven efficiency and home comfort. The same goes for homes with smokers or pets, as MERV 11 air filters better eliminate odors.
Pleated filters that are MERV 8 to 13, unlike fiberglass, can effectively filter small particles and reduce the pressure drop (this is the closest thing to MerVana you can find). In general, air filters with higher MERV ratings remove a higher percentage of pollutants in the air and therefore improve the quality of your home's indoor air. 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. Choosing the right MERV rating for your oven filter has a big impact on indoor air quality, the air conditioning system and, most importantly, the well-being of your family. The lowest ratings, MERV 1 to 8, are the least efficient at filtering particles, but allow for the lowest air resistance.
This classification is more efficient than MERV 8 and 11 because it can filter even more allergens from the air. Conversely, a high MERV rating indicates that the filter does a good job of removing particles from the air. Since a high MERV rating means that more particles will be removed from the air, you can first consider using air filters with the highest MERV rating. If you're not sure what type of filter and what MERV ratings are best for your home, call Phyxter Home Services. You might think that an air filter with higher MERV ratings would be more beneficial, but in some cases, it's not.
In fact, as the MERV rating increases, air flow decreases, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to push air through the furnace, increasing the possibility of a potential breakdown.
