While the highest MERV ratings are the most effective for air quality, they can harm your HVAC system. A higher MERV rating means a higher resistance, which means less airflow.Sep 20, 2019
What's a disadvantage of the highest MERV rated filters?
The higher MERV filters have higher resistance. When you add more resistance, you can get a bigger pressure drop across the filter. And that's where the problems begin. The blower in the furnace or air handler is rated for a certain amount of pressure drop.Nov 4, 2018
What MERV rating can my furnace handle?
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.Mar 20, 2012
Can high MERV filter damage my furnace?
While the highest MERV ratings are the most effective for air quality, they can harm your HVAC system. A higher MERV rating means a higher resistance, which means less airflow. ... If the MERV rating on your furnace is too high, it may force your furnace to work too hard and leave it vulnerable to damages.Sep 20, 2019
Is MERV 13 too high for furnace?
MERV 13 is the highest MERV value safe for residential furnaces; the higher ratings are used primarily in commercial units. If you are wondering what MERV to try, keep these recommendations in mind; ASHRAE recommends MERV 6 or higher.
Does MERV 13 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.Jan 12, 2021
Is MERV 13 too high for residential?
One factor to consider is air flow through the system. ... 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 commercial units.
Will MERV 11 hurt my furnace?
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.
Is MERV 8 A good furnace filter?
MERV 5 – MERV 8 filters provide good filtration and will remove most pollen, mold spores, and dust mites. Using MERV 5-8 filters will keep your HVAC system more efficient than using higher-rated filters, as long as you replace your filters regularly.Jan 1, 2020
Is MERV 8 good enough for Covid?
Filters with MERV-13 or higher ratings can trap smaller particles, including viruses. Many home HVAC systems will have a MERV-8 filter installed as the default. ... By itself, using an upgraded HVAC filter is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.Jan 12, 2021
What does MERV 8 mean on furnace filter?
To be classified as a MERV 8 filter according to NAFA (National Air Filtration Association), a filter must filter out at least 70% of E3 (3.0-10.0 µm) particles and 20% of E2 (1.0-3.0 µm) particles. ... This means that 81.5% of dust particles fed into the filter were successfully filtered out of the air.