When it comes to air quality, the higher the MERV rating, the better. But is a filter with a MERV rating between 7 and 13 enough to maintain healthy air quality in commercial and residential buildings? According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the answer is yes. Filters in this range are usually little different from those with a higher MERV rating, but they allow the system to work much more efficiently. The MERV rating is an important factor when it comes to selecting an air filter.
It helps you understand the effectiveness of a filter so that you can choose the most suitable one for your particular needs. Generally, people want higher ratings, but some applications need a MERV rating with an intermediate scale. Unlike other scales, which emphasize the need to increase the amount of particles that pass through an air filter, the MERV was designed to provide a balance between particulate filtering and energy efficiency. For example, hospitals, nuclear power plants, and other demanding environments often require air filters with a MERV rating of 16 to 20.
It's best to comply with the furnace manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system. The higher a filter's MERV rating, the less dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. Generally speaking, our recommended MERV rating for oven filters ranges from 6 to 8, to achieve a perfect balance between maximum oven efficiency and home comfort. Although MERV 8 is known to be effective at filtering contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores, and lint from the air, a higher MERV rating will further clean the air.
Air filters below MERV 5 will not be enough to maintain good air quality inside your home, while those above MERV 13 could compromise the performance of your home's air conditioning unit. Filter technology has advanced significantly over the years and the MERV ratings are designed to help us determine the most effective and efficient air filter options for heating and cooling systems and more. A MERV rating of 1 to 6 is the lowest range of MERV ratings, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should rule out a filter with a rating within this range. In conclusion, while filters with a higher MERV rating are more efficient at capturing particulates and pollutants in the air, a filter between MERV 7 and MERV 13 is good enough to maintain healthy air quality in commercial and residential buildings. It's best to select a filter with the highest possible MERV rating for your specific air conditioning system.
