If you're looking for an air filter to help protect against allergies, pets, smoke pollution, or just everyday dust and debris, you may be wondering what the best MERV rating is for your home or business. The answer depends on your particular needs and circumstances. MERV 8 filters are ideal for an average household. They are much better than fiberglass filters and are still quite reasonably priced.
This type of filter will be able to trap anything larger than 3 micrometers, which is enough to trap common pollen, dust, and debris. MERV 11 is better, and MERV 13 could be called the best filtration among these three. How well an air filter traps particulates is an important consideration, but there are other factors to think about when answering the question, which is the best MERV? Filters with a MERV rating of 8 to 13 are usually high-end filters for domestic use or high-quality commercial filters. These filters are often the right choice for use in homes and many businesses.
Pleated filters that are MERV 8 to 13, unlike fiberglass, can effectively filter small particles and decrease pressure drop. MERV 13 filters are ideal for commercial and residential environments that want and need higher air quality. Basically, the higher the MERV rating, the greater the air filtration capabilities of a particular filter. Strict building codes and an increase in foot traffic generally mean that commercial properties must opt for a filter with a higher MERV rating.
A MERV rating is important because it helps you understand the effectiveness of an air filter so you can choose the right one for your particular needs. A higher Merv air filter rating indicates that an air filter is more effective at collecting finer particles. Experts recommend changing MERV 8 filters every 2-3 months to keep them operating at full capacity. A MERV score of 1 to 6 is the lowest range of MERV ratings, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should cancel a filter with a rating in this range.
The difference between MERV 8 and MERV 13 rated filters is reduced to two microns. This may not seem like a significant difference compared to the MERV 8 filter, but a MERV 11 is also better able to capture between 65% and 79% of the smallest particles. And while that doesn't seem to make much of a difference, it's vital to examine how things work at the molecular level. So the question arises, is it really worth upgrading from MERV 8 to MERV 13? Is there a big difference between the two? The answer depends on your particular needs and circumstances. If you have allergies, pets, or live near smoke pollution, choosing a MERV 13 filter is the ideal choice.
But if you simply need a filter to trap pollen, dust mites, and hair, a MERV 8 filter should definitely do its job.
