Overall, the best MERV rating for a home is between 8 and 10. These filters will capture a large portion of the particles suspended in the air and will improve indoor air quality without significantly increasing energy costs. Generally, a MERV rating between 6 and 13 meets the needs of most residences. This range offers a great balance between air filtration, airflow and affordability. If you select an air filter with a MERV 13 rating, it can last up to six months before it needs to be replaced.
When it comes to oven filters, our recommended MERV rating ranges from 6 to 8 to achieve an optimal balance between maximum oven efficiency and home comfort. Filters with higher MERV values trap small particles more effectively than filters with lower MERV scores. Although MERV 8 is known to be effective in filtering contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores and lint from the air, higher MERV ratings will further clean the air. In general, filters with a MERV 16 rating or lower are considered suitable filters for HVAC systems for residential, commercial and general hospital use.
Using an air filter with a MERV rating higher than recommended by the boiler or air conditioner manufacturer may affect its performance. The best MERV rating for your home will depend on what you want to filter and how much airflow your HVAC system needs to operate. However, a high MERV rating on an air filter generally means that the filter is thicker and that the HVAC system will have to work harder to circulate air throughout the house. Conversely, a high MERV rating indicates that the filter does a good job of removing particles from the air.
Filter technology has advanced significantly over the years, and MERV ratings are designed to help us determine the most effective and efficient air filter options for heating and cooling systems and more. The higher the MERV rating, the more excess air pressure or air resistance the filter can put on your HVAC system. For example, if an air filter can capture at least 20% of E1 particles, 65% of E2 and 85% of E3 particles, you'll get a MERV 11 rating. Choosing the right MERV rating for your oven filter has a major impact on indoor air quality, the air conditioning system and, most importantly, the well-being of your family.
A MERV rating will let you know how many particles can escape through the filter and how efficiently the airflow can move through your system. The best MERV rating for residential use is the one that properly cleans the air in your home without decreasing airflow or straining HVAC equipment. This classification is more efficient than MERV 8 and 11 because it can filter even more allergens from the air. The lowest ratings, MERV 1 to 8, are the least efficient at filtering particles, but allow for the lowest air resistance.
