Indoor air quality significantly impacts the health and comfort of your home, and an air filter is one of the most effective ways to keep your indoor air fresh and clean. Air filters don’t offer equal protection against airborne pollutants — instead, MERV filter ratings determine how effectively an air filter traps particles. Read on to understand what MERV air filter ratings mean, their impact on filtration and HVAC performance, and how to choose the best option for your home.
What are MERV Ratings?
Minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) is a standardized system that measures air filter efficiency. Using a scale of 1 to 16, this rating indicates how effectively a filter captures particles between 0.3 and 10 microns for the purpose of optimizing indoor air quality.
The higher the MERV rating, the more particles a filter can remove. A filter with a low MERV rating may only efficiently block particles larger than 10 microns, such as large pieces of dust. In comparison, filters at the top end of the MERV scale can remove most particles measuring between 0.3 and 10 microns, such as smoke and airborne pathogens.
Understanding Air Filters and MERV Ratings
MERV ratings evaluate a filter’s efficiency, but it’s important to understand how different air filters function. Air filters use dense fibers to capture airborne particles, including dust, pollen, dander, and bacteria. Filters with higher MERV ratings trap smaller particles more effectively, but their density may also limit airflow and impact HVAC performance.
In other words, a higher MERV rating doesn’t necessarily equate to better air quality. For instance, filters with high MERV ratings are usually reserved for medical facilities or other buildings that require the highest potential air quality. Compared to filters with lower ratings, these filters don’t offer significant benefits to most homes and can instead restrict airflow, strain your HVAC system, and cause hot and cold spots throughout your home.
MERV Rating Scale
Choosing the right MERV rating depends on aligning filtration capability with your home’s needs. Review the applications of different MERV ratings to help you select the right filter without sacrificing air quality or system performance.
MERV 1–4
Filters rated between 1 and 4 offer the most basic level of filtration, mainly capturing large particles such as dust, lint, and pollen. For particles between 3 and 10 microns, these filters only capture up to 20% and are best for homes with minimal air quality concerns.
MERV 5–8
Offering a balance between moderate filtration and airflow efficiency, filters in the MERV 5 to 8 range are among the most popular for residential HVAC systems. These filters can capture between 20% and 70% of smaller particles, such as mold spores, pet dander, and dust.
MERV 9–13
MERV 9 to 12 filters are designed to capture finer particles and offer more robust filtration. They are ideal for homes with pets or individuals who suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions since they can remove between 75% and 90% of particles measuring 3 and 10 microns.
More importantly, filters rated 11 to 13 offer 20% to 50% efficiency against fine particulate matter measuring 0.3 microns, which presents the greatest long-term health concerns and is the most difficult for filters to capture. Many residential HVAC systems can accommodate these filters without major modifications, though they may require more frequent filter replacements.
MERV 14–16
Filters rated between MERV 14 and 16 offer a much higher level of air purification, capturing up to 95% of particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. Hospitals, laboratories, commercial buildings, and other areas requiring optimal air quality most often use these filters, but residential HVAC systems generally aren’t equipped to handle them.
Factors Affecting MERV Ratings
Choosing the right MERV filter depends on its compatibility with your HVAC system and the specific needs of your home.
HVAC system compatibility
Not all HVAC systems work with high-MERV filters, and using a filter with too high of a rating may impact performance. For instance, older HVAC systems weren’t designed to handle high-MERV filters and generally aren’t compatible with them. Check your system’s specifications or consult an HVAC professional — you may need to upgrade components or replace your system to accommodate better air filtration.
Local air quality
Areas with high pollen, wildfire smoke, or industrial pollution may benefit from higher MERV filters that can prevent fine particles from circulating indoors. Likewise, consider smoking, pet dander, and other indoor air quality factors when selecting a filter.
Household needs
Homes with individuals who suffer from allergies or have respiratory conditions may need more comprehensive air filtration. High MERV ratings may help reduce exposure to fine particles and prevent exacerbating health conditions.
Importance of Choosing the Right MERV Rating
The right MERV rating helps achieve optimal air quality without compromising HVAC performance. Consider these factors:
- Preventing system strain: Choosing a low MERV rating may provide inadequate filtration, but too high may strain your HVAC system. Most systems can accommodate MERV ratings between 5 and 13, which provide moderate to enhanced filtration.
- Minimizing maintenance costs: The right filter prevents dust and debris buildup without overworking HVAC equipment, preventing premature component wear or system replacement.
- Reducing energy consumption: Selecting a MERV rating that balances filtration and airflow prevents strain and high energy consumption, leading to lower energy costs.
MERV Ratings and Indoor Air Quality
Dust, allergens, and other airborne pollutants can contribute to poor indoor air quality, which likewise compromises comfort and health. High MERV ratings help capture smaller and more harmful airborne particles from various sources, such as:
- Bacteria and viruses.
- Dust and dirt particles.
- Pet dander, pollen, and other allergens.
- Mold spores.
- Volatile organic compounds.
- Smoke from cooking, wildfires, and smoking.
Contact the Team at High 5 to Learn More About Our Air Filtration Solutions
From indoor air quality to HVAC solutions, High 5 can help your household breathe more easily. Call the team at High 5 and discover why we’re a leading HVAC contractor in Denver. Our team is standing by ready to help, offering all the HVAC services you need in one place.
