What MERV Rating Should I Pick For My Filter?

What if you were told you are breathing in pet dander? Sounds terrific right? It might not be what you want to hear or even are aware of, but without proper air filtration, breathing in such a thing could be a daily occurrence. Therefore, it is important to understand the basics of air filtration as well as the most common air filter ratings.

Air Filters

Filters come in all shapes and sizes and regardless of the rating or equipment they are being used in, all air filters serve an important purpose.

Filters withhold unwanted particles from entering into the air cycle that circulates back through equipment and ultimately into a space. Although no filter can remove all pollutants, air filters improve indoor air quality. In fact, according to the EPA, since most people spend 90% of indoor time in their homes, most exposure to pollutants will occur in the home.

So, whether the piece of equipment you are purchasing or upgrading an air filter for, such as a Sante Fe dehumidifier, air handler for your 5 Ton Bosch heat pump or a commercial Fantech ERV system, all air filters serve as an important component to a space’s overall equipment and clean air makeup.

MERV Options

However, for a straightforward residential setting, most pollutants will be captured with (3) three common MERV options.

These options can be categorized into economical, midrange and premium tiers: MERV 8, MERV 11 and MERV 13. Each of these offer a different capture ability.

MERV 8: Filters out 84.9% of airborne particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. This includes lint, household dust, dust mite debris, mold spores, pollen and pet dander.

MERV 11: Just as with the MERV 8, a MERV 11 filters out 85% of particles between 0.3 and 10 microns including smoke and smog particles. While the capture percentage isn’t much of a change from the MERV 8, a MERV 11 is more capable and has a higher percentage of capturing smaller particles. In addition, a MERV 11 is a recommended choice for pet owners.

MERV 13: This level of filtration filters out 90% of particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. A notable benefit of a MERV 13 filter is the ability to capture 90% or better of smaller particles in the air. Furthermore, a MERV 13 will also capture cough/sneeze debris, bacteria, viruses as well as candle soot (constantly burn candles and have black air filters? It is your filter capturing the candle soot).

Conclusions

Whether you live in Salisbury, Berlin, Ocean Pines, Ocean City, Bethany, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Seaford, Delmar, St. Michael’s, Easton, Cambridge or Crisfield, breathing in air is a constant and the quality of it is vital. Dependent on environment and needs, it is important, if possible, that an appropriate MERV rating is selected to ensure proper particle capture.

So now that you understand a little more about air filtration and MERV ratings, what are you going to do?

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Published: April 05, 2023