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 house without affecting airflow. The Merv 11 filter is best for pet owners and people living with certain health conditions, such as mild allergies and mild asthma. It offers more filtration for cleaner air than the Merv 8, but it doesn't filter as much as the Merv 13 (the highest suggested option for residential use).
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) suggests Merv 13, but it may not be the most efficient option for some residential HVAC systems. In fact, the Merv 11 may even be too restrictive. It is best to adhere to the oven manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which Merv rating is best for your specific system. Merv 11 filters are more efficient than Merv 8 filters because they can capture smaller particles.
They offer additional protection against pet dander, dust mites, automatic emissions and dust that damages the lungs. This is a good choice for homes with pets or those looking for even better air quality than what the Merv 8 can offer. It is also our most popular type of air filter. A Merv rating will let you know how many particles can escape through the filter and how efficiently the airflow can circulate through your system.
Since filters with a high Merv rating offer high resistance to airflow, their pressure drop is also higher. Buying an oven filter can be a bit tricky for someone doing it for the first time, because of something called a Merv rating system. Anything higher than a Merv 11 is designed for commercial households or households with family members suffering from respiratory problems. A Merv rating above 13 will likely wear or damage your equipment, and a Merv rating lower than 8 may not effectively remove particulates from the air in your home.
All of those considerations are discussed below, and after reading this Pick HVAC guide for Merv 8 vs Merv 11 vs Merv 13 air filters, you'll understand which one to choose. Experts recommend changing Merv 8 filters every 2 to 3 months to keep them running at full capacity. Using your home's highest Merv rated filter would restrict that airflow, making it difficult for your HVAC to function properly. Using a Merv 13 rated filter is best for protecting against virus-spreading bacteria, but adding air quality solutions to your home should also be considered. Overall, the highest Merv rating that is safe for residential use is Merv 13, although such a high rating may not be necessary in a residential home unless someone has severe dust allergies or asthma and needs an advanced air filter. Merv 11 air filters block at least 65-79% of airborne particulates in the 1.0 to 3.0 micron size range.
MERV 17 to MERV 20 filters are commonly used in surgical operating rooms, clean rooms and other contexts that require complete cleaning. A high merv filter also means that the HVAC system has to work harder because there is more to block airflow. In conclusion, when considering which type of air filter to use in your home, it's important to consider both efficiency and safety. The highest MERV rating that is safe for residential use is MERV 13, although such a high rating is rarely needed in a residential home unless someone has severe dust allergies or asthma and needs an advanced air filter. The MERV 11 offers more filtration than the MERV 8 but doesn't filter as much as the MERV 13; it's best for pet owners and people living with certain health conditions such as mild allergies and mild asthma.
