In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter is not too tall for residential use. Generally speaking, anything under a MERV 13 air filter should provide very efficient air purification in a home without affecting air flow. It is important to note that 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 fan motor in your air conditioning system.
Research has shown that HVAC systems with high MERV filters have a greater pressure drop throughout the filter. This is because the thickness of the filter material in a MERV 11 filter is greater than that of a MERV 8 filter. Therefore, in order for sufficient air to pass through the filter, a greater amount of energy is consumed. Increased use can cause more wear and tear, so be sure to maintain your oven regularly.
MERV 11 filters are an excellent choice if you need to take your filtration to the next level without restricting air flow too much. They remove an impressive amount of materials in the air, including harmful microscopic particles. They are often found in places that require better air filtration, such as commercial buildings and facilities for the elderly. They're more expensive than MERV 8 filters, but they're still easy to find and won't break the bank.
Using an oven filter with a MERV rating higher than that required in your use case may have adverse effects. Airflow is also the key to a comfortable home. This is because it is very important to the performance and longevity of your oven or air controller. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with 1 being the lowest filtering capacity and 20 the highest filtering capacity.
For most Canadian homes, the MERV-rated oven filters in this range are sufficient to filter out a good majority of the impurities in the air. ASHRAE recommends MERV 13 and 14 for maximum efficiency, depending on the season and intensity of your HVAC equipment's operation. What you probably already know is that the MERV rating is a measure of how effectively the filter removes materials from the air that flows through it. While higher MERV ratings are more effective for air quality, they can damage your HVAC system if it cannot handle them.
The best practice is to change the MERV 11 filter every 1 to 3 months for maximum efficiency. It is essential to remember that any product greater than a MERV 11 is designed for businesses or households with family members who suffer from respiratory problems. If your home's air conditioning system can't handle the MERV 13, opt for a filter with the next highest possible rating. Driving air flow and ambient air changes to the maximum while a MERV 13 filter or higher can be used is the direction that would protect most people.
I would like more companies to promote the installation of pressure gauges and magnehelic gauges, as well as simplistic information brochures that explain why moving to a MERV 13 from a 50-micron filter can be problematic, or letting a filter double its depth due to dust accumulation.
