When it comes to air filtration, the Merv rating is an important factor to consider. A Merv 11 filter has a higher efficiency rating, meaning it can capture finer particles and remove more pollutants from the air. But is a MERV 11 filter too tall for your needs? The short answer is yes, but it's not really a problem, except in extreme circumstances. Most modern HVAC systems have no problem working with higher MERV filters, which is why millions of homeowners depend on them.
The main risk of high-efficiency air filters comes from the fact that they are not modified for long periods of time. If you keep abreast of changing filters, you are unlikely to experience any filter-related issues with your HVAC system. However, a Merv 8 filter captures less than 20% of particles smaller than 0.3 microns. That means things like pet dander, smoke, and some airborne bacteria are likely to pass through the Merv 8 filter.
Using an oven filter with a higher Merv rating than your use case requires can have adverse effects. The thickness of the filter material in a MERV filter 11, for example, is greater than that of a MERV filter 8.Therefore, in order for sufficient air to pass through the filter, a greater amount of energy is consumed. More use can cause more wear and tear, so be sure to maintain your oven regularly. However, MERV 11 filters are not considered too tall for residential use.
Anything greater than a MERV 11 is designed for commercial or domestic households with family members suffering from respiratory problems. Because MERV 11 filters have fibers that are denser than MERV 8 filters, they tend to fill with trapped debris more quickly. The best practice is to change the MERV 11 filter every 1 to 3 months for maximum efficiency, again depending on the season and the labor intensity of your HVAC equipment. A MERV rating of 13 to 16 is considered hospital-level air quality, so it's unlikely that your home will need more than that. According to the U.
S. Environmental Protection Agency, filters in the 7-13 range often have little difference to higher MERV ratings, but will allow your system to operate much more efficiently. If you're new to selecting air filters, you may still not be sure what the best option is despite the detailed explanation above. Air filters with higher Merv ratings can filter more, but the thickness of the filter material can restrict airflow. MERV 1 to 4: Effective for controlling larger particles such as sanding dust, spray paint dust, lint and carpet fibers.
If your family doesn't have any difficulty breathing, a lower filter such as a 7 will save you some money on your energy bill. The MERV scale is not linear; the difference between a MERV 6 and a MERV 8 is almost double in the percentage of particles captured. While the air filter is designed to control the amount of unwanted air particles entering your home, your filter's MERV rating is meant to show you which filter is best for your home. The most important aspect of how to select an air filter for your home or workplace is knowing the air quality. Based on the above-mentioned characteristics, a Merv 8 is considered a superior filtration compared to air filters with a lower MERV rating. This means that an oven filter with a lower rating would retain a lower percentage of debris and impurities compared to a filter with a higher rating. You should also remember to replace the filter every month, three months, six months or a year depending on the filter.
MERV 13 filters are rarely used in residential homes except for someone with extreme filtration needs such as an immunocompromised person or someone receiving hospice care at home. For most Canadian homes oven filters with MERV ratings in this range are sufficient to filter out most airborne impurities.
