9-12 MERV – These filters are more efficient and usually offer the best indoor air quality improvement for residential applications. Deep pleated filters fall into this category. Because they work so well at removing airborne pollutants, they must be regularly checked to ensure proper airflow.

Is MERV 12 good enough?

The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the air filter is at catching harmful pollutants in your home's air. ... MERV 5–8 (good): These filters are better at catching small particles (3–10 microns) like mold spores, hair spray, dust mites and animal dander. MERV 9–12 (better): The best option for residential use.

Can I use MERV 12 instead of 11?

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. That's why you're just as good going with a MERV 11 as with a MERV 12. You will get decent results from either.

Is MERV 12 better than MERV 10?

MERV rating 9-12

This range of MERV values can begin trapping particles in the 1.0-3.0 micron range. ... 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%.

Does MERV 12 filter coronavirus?

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. ... By itself, using an upgraded HVAC filter is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.

What is a MERV Rating?

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Can I use a MERV 12 filter in my furnace?

The short answer is this: The best MERV rating for your heating and air conditioning equipment is the MERV recommended by the manufacturer. It's usually in the range of 8-12 MERV. ... When in doubt, choose a MERV 8 to MERV 10 filter rated for high airflow, so it won't damage your furnace or air handler.

Can I replace MERV 11 filter 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.

What is a MERV 12 filter?

Filters with a MERV rating between 9 and 12 capture much smaller particulates, including pet dander and auto emissions. It provides efficient air filtration with a spot dust efficiency between 35% and 75%. They are a good option for anyone dealing with mild to moderate allergies or respiratory issues like asthma.

Does MERV 12 filter wildfire smoke?

Higher efficiency filters (MERV 9–12) will work even better, and a true high efficiency filter (MERV 13–16) can remove as much as 95% of the particles that pass through it.

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.

Do I really need MERV 13?

In most households, a MERV 11 filter provides enough purification to keep the home healthy. However, if someone in your home suffers from allergies, you probably want to go with a MERV 13. This can be pet allergies, pollen allergies, or even allergies to mold and dust.

Are MERV 11 filters bad for HVAC?

A MERV 11 air filter has a higher efficiency rating. ... In particular, using an air filter with a MERV rating that's too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn't too high for residential use.

Are allergen filters bad for HVAC?

In most cases, high-efficiency filters (i.e., restrictive filters) won't harm HVAC equipment, but they don't offer as many benefits as a homeowner might believe. A PSC motor can only provide a certain level of air output, regardless of filter conditions.

What MERV level should I use?

We do recommend that everyone uses filters that have at least an 8 MERV rating. These filters will remove the majority of pollutants from your indoor air. If you have serious medical conditions making it difficult to breathe, you might want to get a filter with MERV 9-12 rating.

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.

Is MERV 13 the best?

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.

What MERV rating does Rheem recommend?

4. What MERV rating does Rheem recommend? Rheem recommends filters of MERV 8 and above. This MERV level is strong enough to remove substances like pollen, dust mites, dust and pet dander from the air.

Is MERV 11 or 13 better?

A MERV 11 rated furnace filter can trap the majority of harmful contaminants that are present in the air. ... A MERV 13 filter is capable of filtering out all particle impurities like dust, lint, pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, smog, and smoke. On top of this, it can also trap bacteria and viruses.

Is MERV 11 better than 16?

Generally speaking, it's not recommended to go above an 11 MERV rating. The higher the MERV rating, the more tightly woven the filter is, which makes it difficult for air to pass through. If your AC doesn't get enough airflow, it can cause something called a pressure drop, which can lead to high AC bills and AC damage.

Is MERV 11 good?

The MERV 11 filter is best for pet owners and people who live with certain health conditions, such as mild allergies and mild asthma. It offers more filtration for cleaner air than the MERV 8 but doesn't filter as much as the MERV 13 (the highest option suggested for residential use).

Can a furnace filter be too restrictive?

All furnace filters have a MERV rating which indicates filter efficiency. ... The makeup of these high-efficiency filters can be too restrictive for the unit, creating a barrier to good airflow. The HVAC system may struggle to pass air through the air filter and expend more energy in its attempts.

What's a disadvantage of the highest MERV rated filters?

One disadvantage of the highest MERV rated filters is that: The pressure drop across high MERV filters is more.

Is MERV 13 too restrictive?

“MERV” is the standard rating system used in the HVAC industry to determine how well a filter works. ... And MERV 13 is the highest rating recommended for home use. (Anything above it will restrict airflow too much and could damage your HVAC system).