Filters in this range are usually 1-2-inch pleated filters. So the low-MERV filter is hitting the ACCA design pressure drop. A MERV rating between eight and 11 is adequate for most homes. Is MERV 11 too high? In general, an air filter with a MERV of 8 is enough for the average home. Once the filter dirt catching capacity is at the end that will cause the air flow to be restricted which will cause numerous problems. It will filter out … Efficiency. High-efficiency and high-MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating filters seem beneficial because they filter out very small particulates, such as pollen, dander, and other allergens. The higher the efficiency, the more effective it will be. They are used in both residential and commercial applications and they can improve your home’s indoor air quality by removing harmful contaminants such as mold spores, hair spray fumes, and smaller dust particles. Messages 28 Location Near Mobile. MERV is a good way to help judge the effectiveness of an air filter. To be safe, you should check if your furnace manufacturer has a maximum MERV rating your model of … Generally, your furnace filter will have an optimum MERV filter rating that allows it to do its job as well as possible. MERV 11 to 13 are high-efficiency filters that come in a variety of configurations. The efficiency of the air filter should be a top consideration. Filters with a MERV 11 rating have a dust spot efficiency of 60-65% and are 30 times more efficient than regular fiberglass filters. 01-23-2009, 06:22 PM #15 This means more energy is used, which will increase your utility bill. Disposable pleated high MERV filters (11 to 13 MERV): High-efficiency filters can trap 0.3 micron particles like bacteria and some viruses. Some are five inches thick, others range up to 12 inches thick, and some of these filters are designed to last up to a full year. A high-MERV filter traps more particles, but not all systems are equipped to handle them. They also found that air flow in the high-MERV filters dropped by 7% and 11% in the two HVAC systems compared to the low-MERV filters. one of those 4" thick ones flows alot more than a 12x20x1" Reactions: 2strokeNorthstar, RitcheyRch and JLawrence08648. A MERV 11 would be considered an “allergy” filter that does a good job of removing particles in all size ranges. These filters can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns and other debris like microorganisms and bacteria. In some cases, using an air filter that is too restrictive for your system may cause low air flow problems as well.MERV 13 is the highest MERV value safe for residential furnaces; the higher ratings are used primarily in … *****PLEASE CALL WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING AVAILABILITY ON MERV 11 & MERV 13 FILTERS***** ... You may think that selecting high MERV rating filters will remove more of the harmful particles from your home, but too high of a MERV rating could actually reduce the air quality of the air you breathe in your home. The best way to clean the air in your home, and keep it clean, is with a whole-home filtration solution with a high MERV rating, which works with your heating and cooling system to distribute healthier, filtered air throughout your entire home. In some cases, using an air filter that is too restrictive for your system may cause low air flow problems as well. Is MERV 13 too restrictive? Or in English, “how effective is your air filter?” MERV ratings range from 1-16. Periodic changes to the filter design can add to the price. However, if someone in your home suffers from allergies, you probably want to go with a MERV 13. These filters can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns and other debris like microorganisms and bacteria. Regular Joe Shmoes living in a regular house in a regular environment don’t need to spend the money on a higher price tag for MERV 13, 14, 15, or 16. The mid-MERV is twice as much and the high-MERV is three times as much. Be aware that as the MERV rating increases, the filter gets more restrictive and it will take more pressure and energy to push air through. Two to five inch thick versions of these filters fit in box-like housings mounted onto the air handler and can last up to one year. Since I have an infinity controller, I will make note of static pressure before and after replacing it. It also helps if you tell us what size. There is a battle among pleated HVAC filter manufacturers – MERV-8, MERV-9, and MERV-10 Which is “best” for your facility and how different are these prodcuts really, seeing as not too long ago they were all MERV-6 or 7? One of the issues with the furnace is that 1 inch MERV 8 pleated filter I installed is being bent toward the blower like a sail when the blower runs. Because high-MERV filters can trap more particles, they are likely to clog faster than low-MERV filters. Choosing the right furnace filter is like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Is MERV 13 too restrictive? An air filter’s minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating measures how effectively the filter stops dust and other contaminants from passing through the filter and into the air stream. MERV ratings classify filters on a scale on 1 to 20, and the higher the rating, the more particles the filter is able to capture. MERV 8 rated filters are high quality filters. You’ll also have to change these filters more frequently than filters with a lower MERV rating. I may even be temped to go to MERV … If you have pets and dander is an issue, a MERV 11-13 will be much more effective at cleaning your indoor air. I will order MERV 11 filters. Merv 11 in 1" will remove the same particulate as a Merv 11 in 2" the difference is that the 1" will plug up faster then a 2" and be more restrictive. MERV is a good way to help judge the effectiveness of an air filter. Filters with higher MERV ratings trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV ratings. This rating, which ranges from 1-20, represents how well filter can catch smaller airborne particles ("1" meaning it can only catch large airborne particles, "20" meaning it can catch very small airborne particles.) These filters can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns and other debris like microorganisms and bacteria. Other Rating Systems. Eventually, the fan motor can burn out, resulting in overheating and failure of the entire system. The scaling of MERV is not linear; the difference between a MERV 6 and a MERV 8 is nearly double in the percentage of particles captured. MERV 11 to 13 are high-efficiency filters that come in a variety of configurations. MERV 11 to 13 are high-efficiency filters that come in a variety of configurations. Here are some benefits and drawbacks of high-efficiency and high-MERV rating filters. If the pressure drop seems acceptable, I will stick to MERV 11. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Nov 27, 2020 #3 ET16 said: I am thinking of upgrading my current washable HVAC filters that I got at Home Depot a couple of years … Iam not a fan of 1" filters. It is high efficiency furnace (92%) that had a MERV 8 1 inch pleated filter installed just outside the blower cabinet in the return duct. They capture nearly all of the largest particles, as well as most of the smallest ones. If your family has health or allergy issues, then you may want to look for a high-efficiency filter that’s MERV 11 or higher. V. vweosdriver. In addition, you may not get the air velocity required to reach all parts of your home leaving inconsistencies in temperature. Filters with high MERV ratings may remove more harmful contaminates from your home, but they may actually reduce the quality of the air you breath if you select a filter with a MERV rating that’s too high for your HVAC system. You need to find the rating that is not too high, not too low, but just right. A common mistake residential customers make is to install a filter that has too high of a MERV rating for their system and/or use it for too long. This is the first time in the seven years it's been in operation that I've been having problems. Choosing filters with deeper pleats (e.g., four-inch pleats) will increase the surface area of the filter and potentially reduce the pressure drop while increasing or maintaining a high MERV rating. Efficiency is based on the size of the particles captured by an air filter. The compressor head pressure will go up, causing higher electricity use. If you need the highest quality furnace filter with the cleanest air than this is the type to get. Using an air filter with too high of a MERV for your system can have a similar effect of a clogged air filter, if a filter becomes clogged, airflow will be reduced, which causes the fan motor to work harder. This chart also shows that as the efficiency of the media increases, the resistance also increases. 5-8 MERV – Air filters with MERV ratings of 5-8 last longer than their less expensive counterparts. The MERV filter rating is the domestic and international industry standard rating system established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers. If the MERV rating on your filter is too high, it may force your furnace to work too hard and become vulnerable to damages. The more sensitive a person is to allergens, the greater the need for a high-efficiency filtration system. 2) Being too much of a health nut. This is due to the fact that, if a MERV rating is too high, it can cause your entire unit to be put under too much pressure. However, homeowners should also be wary of climbing too high up the MERV rating scale. But this isn’t necessarily so. In most households, a MERV 11 filter provides enough purification to keep the home healthy. MERV is a good way to help judge the effectiveness of an air filter. High-efficiency pleated; MERV Rating 11-16 Made from 4-5 inches of cotton or similar material makes these types of filters have the highest MERV rating. This can be pet allergies, pollen allergies, or even allergies to mold and dust. MERV is a good way to help judge the effectiveness of an air filter. High-MERV (11) 0.32 i.w.c. MERV 11-13 air filters are somewhat of a middle ground between the cheap ones and the more expensive ones. Once you know what the different MERV ratings mean, you can pick out the rating that will improve your air quality without choking your furnace in the process. Another reason you would want to get a MERV 13 filter is if there is a smoker in your home. Look for cleaners with MERV ratings of 10 or higher, as this indicates a more efficient filter. Some homeowners want cleaner air, so they buy an HVAC filter with a high "MERV rating." The other two systems were created by "3M" (MPR) and "The Home Depot" (FPR) to differentiate their offerings. Unless you’re working in a clean room, medical facility or lab, anything higher than MERV 11 is overkill. MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is a measure of the efficiency with which filters remove particles of specific sizes. The test protocol for determining MERV ratings is described in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 52.2-2007, Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size. MERV 11. Yet these types of filters have some negative consequences too. Low-efficiency filters typically lie within MERV 1-4 and high-efficiency filters are MERV 13 and beyond. MERV 13 is the highest MERV value safe for residential furnaces; the higher ratings are used primarily in commercial units. MERV 8 filters remove basically the same particulates as a MERV 6, but they are more efficient; with a dust spot efficiency of 30-35%, they are 20 times more efficient than regular fiberglass filters. But for most households, a MERV 7 or 8 filter might be the sweet spot between performance and cost. IIRC merv 11 is abit high but possibly not too high. 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