What is the Best MERV Rating Filter for Your Home?

Overall, the best MERV rating for a home is between 8 and 10. These filters will capture a large part of the particles in the air and improve the interior. A MERV rating of between 6 and 13 generally meets the needs of most residences. This range offers a good balance between air filtration, airflow and affordability. If you select an air filter with a MERV 13 rating, it can last up to six months before you need to replace it.In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn't too tall for residential use.

Generally speaking, anything under a MERV 13 air filter should provide very efficient air purification in a home without affecting airflow. Meanwhile, air filters with a MERV 14 rating or higher are designed for commercial HVAC systems that can handle the coarsest filter material. For example, if you have someone in your household who suffers from allergies, you may want a higher MERV rating.MERV 17 to MERV 20 filters are explicitly used in an industrial or scientific application, such as surgical operating rooms, cleanrooms and other applications that require absolute cleanliness. A filter with a MERV rating between 1 and 6 can remove particles between 0.3 and 10 microns with an efficiency of 20%.

It's best to comply with oven manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system. We can advise you on what system and what MERV ratings you need to provide the best quality air for your family.

MERV 8

air filters are almost as affordable as less efficient products, making them good value for money. MERV 11 air filters can filter a large percentage of fine particles, but a MERV 8 air filter cannot. MERV 8 air filters are very common because they are quite a complete option, so you might think that they are excellent in price but poor in performance.

One of the best ways to determine which MERV rating you should use is to compare the options side by side.Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. While you may automatically think that a higher MERV rating means a better air filter, that's not always the case. Filters that are MERV 16 to 20 are generally only found in hospitals, cleanrooms, and nuclear power plants. MERV 17 to MERV 20 filters are commonly used in operating rooms, cleanrooms, and other settings that require absolute cleanliness.