The use of air filters with higher MERV ratings can be beneficial for air quality, but it can also damage your HVAC system. A higher MERV rating means greater resistance, which can lead to reduced airflow. However, there are many other factors that come into play, such as the size of the filter and the type of fan motor of the HVAC system. In general, the answer is yes, but it's not usually a problem unless in extreme cases.
Most modern HVAC systems are designed to work with higher MERV filters, so millions of homeowners rely on them. The main risk of using high-efficiency air filters is that they are not modified for long periods of time. If you're aware of changing your filters regularly, you're unlikely to experience any issues with your HVAC system. Using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high is as bad as using one that is too low. Air filters with higher MERV ratings may filter more, but the thickness of the filter material may restrict airflow.
This can decrease comfort, increase energy use, and accelerate wear of HVAC components. In particular, using an air filter with a too high MERV rating can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. In general, filters with higher MERV ratings capture higher percentages of particulate matter as well as smaller particles. And MERV-13* is practically where you want to be. Research shows that overall, HVAC systems with high MERV* filters have a higher pressure drop across the filter. A MERV rating is a good indicator of the effectiveness of an air filter in your central HVAC split system.
The higher the rating, the better the filter. As the MERV rating increases, fewer and fewer pollutants and dust pass through the filter, making the incoming airflow of better quality. Never cascade filters because the cumulative constraint on the system will be too large. With an inclination of 45 degrees, each filter is approximately 1.4 times the area of a filter that spans the same half of the duct horizontally or with an inclination of 0. I recommend changing your air filters every 1 or 2 months to maintain maximum levels of performance and energy efficiency.
The Awair Element indoor air quality monitor is one of the best tools to monitor how good or bad your IAQ really is and whether or not your filters keep PM2.5 levels low enough. The same applies to households with smokers or pets, as MERV 11 air filters better eliminate odors. The use of a filter designed just to do so does not jeopardize the operation of the system if it is maintained regularly. You can clearly see how the air filter reduces the total external static pressure by increasing the pressure drop. Not all filters have a Merv rating &, many of them are purchased at big box stores. If you are new to air filter selection, you may not yet be sure which option is best despite the detailed explanation above.
I would like more companies to push for the installation of Magnehelic pressure gauges and gauges, as well as simplistic information brochures explaining why jumping into a MERV 13 from a 50 micron filter can be problematic, or letting a filter double its depth due to dust accumulation (I saw it, like a handyman, the furnace still it worked (more or less). Also, if I tried this modification of the MERV13 filter myself, I would make many filter discs and change them after each exposure to several people. In conclusion, using an air filter with a higher MERV rating can reduce airflow in some cases but it's not usually a problem unless in extreme circumstances. Most modern HVAC systems are designed to work with higher MERV filters and changing them regularly will help ensure maximum performance and energy efficiency.
