A thicker filter (4-5 inches) has more surface area and therefore allows more room for air to pass through. Thick filters, due to their increased surface area, also have other benefits like: Higher dust-holding ability (meaning it can catch a lot without blocking airflow)
Is a 5 inch filter better than a 1 inch?
Enhance Indoor Air Quality Replacing your standard one-inch air filter with a pleated 5-inch filter can result in better air quality inside your home. That's because bigger air filters feature higher MERV ratings, leading to better filtration of pollutants and allergens.
Is it better to have a thicker furnace filter?
The general best practice is to use the thickest air filter you can for maximum efficiency. Higher MERV ratings work best when the filter is 4” thick or thicker because they trap extremely small particles, which means contaminants will build up quickly on the screen.
Do higher for filters restrict airflow?
Generally, a filter with a higher MERV rating will reduce airflow. However, there are many other factors at play such as the size of the filter and the type of blower motor in your HVAC system.Generally, a filter with a higher MERV ratingMERV ratingMinimum Efficiency Reporting Value, commonly known as MERV, is a measurement scale designed in 1987 by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to report the effectiveness of air filters in more detail than other ratings.https://en.wikipedia.org › Minimum_efficiency_reporting_valueMinimum efficiency reporting value - Wikipedia will reduce airflow. However, there are many other factors at play such as the size of the filter and the type of blower motor in your HVAC system.19 Oct 2020
Can MERV be too high?
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.20 Sept 2019
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.
Can I use a higher MERV rating restrict airflow?
Generally, a filter with a higher MERV rating will reduce airflow. However, there are many other factors at play such as the size of the filter and the type of blower motor in your HVAC system. Filters for central HVAC systems are usually the primary form of particle removal for residential and commercial buildings.19 Oct 2020
Is MERV 13 too high for residential?
Filters within a MERV rating of 17-20 are almost never necessary in a residential home. A MERV rating of 13-16 is considered hospital level air quality, so it is unlikely your home needs any more than that.20 Sept 2019
Does a high performance air filter make a difference?
One of the benefits of a high flow air filter is that, unlike regular filters, you don't have to change it every year. In fact, a high flow air filter can actually increase your horsepower by about 3 to 5 HP and increase your torque as well. At the same time, this can lead to increased fuel efficiency.27 Jan 2012
What is considered a high efficiency filter?
HEPA is a type of pleated mechanical air filter. It is an acronym for "high efficiency particulate air [filter]" (as officially defined by the U.S. Dept. This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).3 Mar 2021
What is a high capacity HEPA filter?
It is an acronym for "high efficiency particulate air [filter]" (as officially defined by the U.S. Dept. of Energy). This type of air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).3 Mar 2021
What is air filter capacity?
When the filter reaches the end of its life, the weight of the dust on the filter is considered the capacity of the filter. Any dust, which passes the filter, is captured by an absolute filter down stream of the air cleaner in the test laboratory.
Is a MERV 11 filter too restrictive?
Is MERV 11 too restrictive? Though MERV 13 is suggested by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), it might not be the most efficient choice for some residential HVAC systems. In fact, MERV 11 may even be too restrictive.31 Mar 2021
Can my furnace handle MERV 11?
The short answer is that it can, but it's not really an issue except under extreme circumstances. Most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with higher MERV filters, which is why millions of homeowners depend on them.
Is MERV rating/11 good?
A MERV 11 air filter has a higher efficiency rating. Meaning, it can capture finer particles and clear more contaminants out of the air. Meanwhile, air filters with a MERV 14 rating or higher are designed for commercial HVAC systems that can handle the thicker filter material.