A filter with a MERV rating of nine to 12 captures particles greater than one micrometer. This includes most dust and common pollutants. Hospital laboratories and superior residential air conditioners fall within this range. A filter with a MERV rating of 13 to 16 captures particles greater than 0.3 micrometers.

Is MERV 12 too high?

Filters within a MERV rating of 17-20 are almost never necessary in a residential home. A MERV rating of 13-16 is considered hospital level air quality, so it is unlikely your home needs any more than that.

Is MERV 12 good enough?

Sometimes particles such as pollen, pet dander, and fine dust are able to sneak by your filter unless you get one with a higher MERV rating. A filter with a MERV rating of around 10 to 12 is sufficient to remove most allergy-causing particles from your home’s air.

Is MERV 11 or 12 better?

The difference between 11 and 12, therefore, is quite negligible. We do not carry MERV 12; MERV 11 does just as good a job. MERV 12 filters trap 80 to 89 percent of average particles of 1.0 to 3.0 microns, with an average particle size efficiency of 90 percent or better. As you can see, they’re pretty close.

What does MERV 11 or 12 mean?

MERV rating 9-12

A MERV 9 will trap less than 50% of particles sized 1.0-3.0 microns, MERV 10 will stop up to 64%, MERV 11 will get up to 79%, and MERV 12 is capable of catching up to 89%.

What is MERV rating for Covid?

What kind of filter should I use in my home HVAC system to help protect my family from COVID-19? Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERV, reports a filter’s ability to capture particles. Filters with MERV-13 or higher ratings can trap smaller particles, including viruses.

What MERV rating is HEPA?

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are not MERV-rated, but a HEPA filter is typically considered as MERV 17 to 20, which is the highest group in MERV ratings.

What does MERV 12 mean on air filters?

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. A filter with a MERV rating of nine to 12 captures particles greater than one micrometer. This includes most dust and common pollutants. Hospital laboratories and superior residential air conditioners fall within this range.

Is MERV 13 too restrictive?

MERV 13 air filters are the highest-rated air filters for home use. Any air filter with a rating higher than 13 will restrict air flow to the point of which could cause damage to your HVAC system, resulting in an added expense to fix it.

Can I replace Merv 11 with MERV 12?

In general no. In order to use a Merv 12 to replace a Merv 11, you need to know if you system can handle the extra pressure drop caused by the higher efficiency Merv 12. My heat pump/ ventilation system cannot support the pressure drop of a Merv 12.

How often should you change a MERV 12 filter?

Your furnace’s owner’s manual will specify the best MERV rating for your furnace, and in general, filters with a MERV rating of 6 through 9 should be changed every 90 days, while those with a MERV rating of 10 through 12 should be changed every 60 days.

Can my furnace handle MERV 11?

The short answer is that it can, but it’s not really an issue except under extreme circumstances. Most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with higher MERV filters, which is why millions of homeowners depend on them.

What MERV 13 filter?

A MERV 13 air filter is one of the best filters on the market. These will trap all of the typical airborne contaminants, including several more. While a MERV 13 filter can catch dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria, it can also filter out smoke, smog, and even virus carriers.

Is MERV 11 or 13 better?

The MERV 13 is less popular and is the highest rating that is recommended for residential use. Anything above 13 is mainly used for commercial/industrial purposes. A MERV 11 rated furnace filter can trap the majority of harmful contaminants that are present in the air.

Does MERV 12 filter smoke?

Controls all of the contaminants listed for MERV 1-12 above, in addition to bacteria, tobacco smoke, automobile fumes, sneeze particles, insecticide dust, copier ink fumes, pet dander, and cosmetic dust.

How many microns does MERV 13 filter?

MERV 13 filters are a step up from the MERV 8 or 9 rating. A MERV 13 filter can capture less than 75 percent of air particles that are 0.3 to 1.0 micron in size.

How long do MERV 13 filters last?

For Merv 8, 11 and 13 filters, we recommend that you change your filter at least every 3 months, however changing your filter every 2 months provides better filtration which provides healthier and cleaner air in your home.

Can I use a MERV 13 filter in my furnace?

The ideal MERV filters for both air filtering and furnace efficiency are 7-13, experts say. These filters can be used without any modifications to your equipment. Your system may handle MERV 14-16 with no discernable stress. However, many residential systems require modifications to pull air through these filters.