When it comes to furnace filters, the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating is an important factor to consider. This rating measures how effectively the filter prevents dust and other contaminants from passing through and into the air stream. To achieve an excellent balance between maximum furnace efficiency and home comfort, our recommended MERV rating ranges from 6 to 8.It's essential to understand how the MERV leaderboard works so you can pick the right filter for your needs. Every time you take a medication or use your mobile phone, you are enjoying a product whose development and manufacture depend on high MERV filtration.
Sometimes, particles like pollen, pet dander, and fine dust can slip through the filter unless you get one with a higher MERV rating. If your home's air conditioning system isn't capable of withstanding a MERV 13, opt for a filter with the next highest possible rating. MERV ratings range from 1 to 16, and filters with a higher MERV rating trap small particles more effectively than filters with a lower MERV rating. Therefore, using a filter with a rating located at the higher end of the MERV scale places a significant burden on your air conditioning system. E1, E2, and E3 particles are particle sizes used to test air filters to determine the MERV classification.
Although the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends MERV 13, it may not be the most efficient option for some residential air conditioning systems. While MERV 8 is known to be effective at filtering pollutants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores, and lint from the air, a higher MERV rating will further clean the air. It's best to follow the oven manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system. The MERV rating system is designed to determine the filter's ability to remove particulates from the air. However, a high MERV rating on an air filter generally means that the filter is thicker; therefore, the air conditioning system will have to work harder to get air around the house.
For example, if you have someone in your house who has allergies, you might want to get a higher MERV score. The MERV classification is higher because it is the international standard and makes it easy to compare filters from different brands. In general, filters with a MERV 16 rating or lower are considered suitable filters for air conditioning systems for residential, commercial, and general hospital use.
