Changing your HVAC filter should be second nature, but have you ever thought about what type of air filter you are picking up for your home? We’re not talking about the brand you are getting, but rather the MERV rating that you are getting. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (or MERV) is a rating system used to compare filters made by various manufacturers. MERV ratings will range from 1 (low efficiency; minimum filtration) to 20 (highest efficiency; highest filtration).
Still using those cheap air filters like those made of fiberglass in your home? Unfortunately, fiberglass air filters are doing more harm than good and are not as effective at capturing airborne contaminants. For most households, the highest recommended MERV rating is MERV 13 filters. Keep in mind that a MERV rating higher than 13 could negatively affect some HVAC systems, so it is advisable to verify that your unit can handle a higher MERV rating before you make your purchase.
Why is considering air flow when it comes to selecting the right furnace filter so important? MERV 13 air filters will reduce more particles in your home’s air, they also reduce the amount of airflow through your system. This can put a strain on your furnace and HVAC system which can cost you a lot of money to repair and can increase your monthly energy bill.
According to Alex Hertzog, our in-house air filtration expert, MERV 11 air filters are recommended.
“The MERV 11 air filters remove a higher percentage of contaminants in the air that will increase indoor air quality and maintain the efficiency of the HVAC unit. It is also highly recommended if there are pets in the home, which can greatly reduce the air quality in your home.”
The chart below shows what you can remove from your air with MERV 8, 11 and 13 filters.
FiltersFast.com carries a wide selection of high quality, pleated air filters for your home in various MERV ratings. We also have air filters in 1-in., 2-in., 3-in. and 4-in. depths. For your home however, the better option is our FiltersFast.com MERV 11 air filters. Guaranteed to effectively reduce dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens from your indoor air, you will get a quality filter for your furnace without paying a high price. Make sure you verify the size that you will need and place your order. Wondering how to figure out what size furnace filter you need? Check out this video:
Looking for an easier way to stay on top of changing your home’s filters? Join our FiltersFast.com Home Filter Club filter subscription service and free shipping and up to 10% off every order*. Our convenient filter subscription offers you the convenience of having a replacement air filters and other home filters sent to your home at the frequency that works best for you.
The FiltersFast.com Brand MERV 11 furnace filters represents a better option for your home than a MERV 8 and lower. Know the MERV rating you are getting and what it will filter out from your air.
Selecting the right furnace filter for your home is important, changing it regularly is just as important. It is recommended that you change your AC filter every 1-3 months for best results.
Have a question about finding the right HVAC filter for your furnace? Let us know in the comments. We’re happy to help!
*Offer subject to change.
Katie says
Chin,
Thank you for reaching out to us. According to the EPA, the PM number is a reference to a particle size; micrometer or micron as it’s more commonly known in air filter parlance. MERV 11 filters can filter particles as small as 0.3 micron or PM0.3. Note, with poor air quality more frequent filter changes will be needed. Also, as doors and windows are opened and closed that too will introduce more of that particulate matter.
https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics
Chin Ma says
Because of the recent California fire, the PM2.5 number at our area is 250 according to http://www.purpleair.com; will MERV 11 AC filter be able to reduce the number to 20 inside our house?
Katie says
Ralph,
A MERV 15 Air Filters will remove 85-95% of particles the size of 0.3-1.0 microns. We do not have enough information to confirm that a MERV 15 will remove coronavirus. MERV 15 filters are not recommended for residential application. Please consult with a HVAC professional to find out what MERV rating your system is equipped to handle.
RALPH DiGENNARO says
will a merv 15 filter remove caronaviris
Katie says
Allison,
We’re glad you learned something from reading our blog! We would recommend consulting a heating an air professional to make sure your system can handle MERV 11.
Allison says
Thanks for the info. I have always used a lesser MERV rated filter and just changed it allot. I just built a new house and have no carpet, one cat that mostly stays outside so not much hair. I think I am going to pull the trigger on two K&N filters that are re-useable like the car & truck air filters. They say they are MERV 11 so hopefully my new AC units will be fine with that rating.
Katie says
Hi Kathie,
That is a great question! It is recommended that you change your air filter every 1-3 months. How often you change it is completely up to you. There are many factors as to why you would need to change it more frequently. A couple of reasons for needing to changing it more frequently could be if you have pets, an older home, or people in your home suffer from allergies. We would recommend checking it every once in a while and changing as often as works for you.
Kathie Hardin says
how often should you change the merv 11 filters ?
Katie says
A Asthana,
We have many blog posts about the difference between different MERVs. Here’s one that explains the differences between different ratings scales and talks about the efficiency of different MERVs. https://www.filtersfast.com/blog/merv-mpr-and-fpr-ratings-explained/
Please let us know if you have any additional questions.
A Asthana says
What is the REAL difference between MERV 13 and MERV 12? I can’t find MERV-13 which I currently use and am worried about a lower efficiency level of particulate removal
Katie says
DEMET,
Please email [email protected] and they can help you with this quote.
Thanks!
DEMET GUCLU says
Hello ,
Can you submit a quote for the below items.
001 AIR FILTER 24″ X 24″ X 4″, MERV-11,P# 855148004, CAMFIL 100 EA
002 AIR FILTER,24″x24″x12″,P#DU4V1511/DU4VES2424/855080-008,MERV13, CAMFIL 600 EA
Shipping Information
City State Zip Code
NORTH BRUNSWICK NJ 08902
Katie says
Charmaine,
Thank you for reaching out to us. We would recommend reaching out to the manufacturer of your unit to confirm whether MERV 13 is compatible. If you do not feel comfortable using these, please initiate a return.
Charmaine says
Hi…I’m not sure if I screwed up or not. From what I can tell, merv 11 is recommended for our Goodman furnace . I ordered merv 13 after reading what it filters out. Now I’m worried that the furnace will be working too hard with the 13. Should I return the 13’s for 11’s?
BLazy says
Hello Barbara,
Switching to a Merv 8 or 11 will be cheaper to replace and may save on energy but I believe you would need a dual zoned hvac system (an additional thermostat placed upstairs) to acheive the comfort levels you desire on both floors at the same time. I have a similar dilemma but can’t afford the upgrade. Instead I chose to supplement the upstairs with a window ac unit and infrared heater. Hope this helps!
Kory says
Hello Barbara,
A MERV 14 may be too restrictive on the air flow, it is definitely a possibility. Do you have pets or smoke in your home? If not, you could measure down to a MERV 8 or a MERV 11 and see if that helps with the air flow.
Barbara says
Our home is 5 years old and our HVAC System is an Amana. It came with a MERV 14 filter and we have always used that size when replacing it. I have a 2 story home and only 1 zone (a Schell Home). I do find that it is very difficult getting the right amount of heat or AC upstairs. We have to turn up or down the thermostat downstairs in order to cool or heat upstairs which can be annoying as we either freeze or are too hot downstairs. Anyway, I have heard from other comments that this size filter can restrict airflow. Is this true? And maybe we should use a different size in order to get the flow correct upstairs?
Catharine says
I had switched from a merv 11 to an 8 and I started sneezing all the time. I had been using the 8 for about 4 months and we were all getting sick due the mold and bacteria. There was more dust that settled. I switched because it was a little cheaper but I always buy my filters from a supplier not places like Home Depot or Lowes. They are way over priced. A lot of the A/C companies buy them their then charge you double. They don’t care over merv 8 so I buy them direct from the distributor right to my door. I will never switch back.
Gregory Clark, PE says
Most furnance motors are sized to handle a Merv 11 with a properly sized duct system. A Merv 13 in some cases might be too much restriction of air flow. You can check with the manufacturer but your duct sizing is part of the equation and they really can’t answer the question without knowing the duct layout. Older duct layouts depend on what type of furnace they were sized for orginally.
Joel Lantz says
In response to Julie Billow’s 10/26/14 question, larger-Merv-number filters remove everything that smaller-Merv-number filters remove PLUS smaller particles that smaller-Merv-number filters CANNOT remove.
For example, a Merv 11 filter, having smaller pores than a Merv 8, removes all the bigger particles that a larger-pore Merv 8 filter removes AS WELL AS the smaller particles that only a Merv 11 filter can remove. A Merv 13 filter, having yet smaller pores, removes all the bigger particles that a Merv 11 filter removes AND all the still-bigger particles that a Merv 8 removes — AS WELL AS yet-smaller particles that only a Merv 13 filter can remove.
brian says
Merv 8 will give you a lower electric bill than merv 11. Less air can blow through an 11 or 13 which makes your unit work run longer to cool or heat a room to the desired temp.
Kory says
MERV 8 would be a great choice, especially if you are concerned about air flow restriction. Merv 8 will provide adequate filtration by removing 17.1% of particles that are 0.3-1 micron, 47% of particles that are 1-3 microns and 70.3% of particles that are 3-10 microns.
Kory says
The chart is giving a range of particles sizes that each contaminant is. For example, a mold spore can range from 2 microns to 10 microns and some of this contaminant will be removed by MERV 8 and MERV 11 will remove all of the mold spores. The MERV 13 removes even smaller particles and will remove all of the mold spores as well.
Kory says
Hi Roger, it seems like the manual doesn’t come with a recommended MERV Rating. Most homes should use either a MERV 8 or a MERV 11 air filter. The MERV 11 will give you more efficiency in capturing airborne particles.
Russell Kiel says
I would like to use the highest rated Merv rating that I can like the Merv 11 that you talk about, but I have an old house with 5″ round heating ducts and concerned with too much rescriction. I do have a brand new furnace and was thinking maybe going with Merv 8?? What do you guys think?? Thanks for any information on this.
Russ
roger w. riddell says
what merv rated air filter is recommended for a trane xv95 natural gas furnance? thanks
Julie Bilow says
Well, I have looked at your chart and my question is
According to the chart, a 13 or 11 doesn’t do ALL of what an 8 does.
To me it would seem logical that the higher ratings would cover all the 8 does and a 13 would also cover the 8 and 11.
Wouldn’t 11 and 13 also filter pollen, dust mites, and plant spores?
Can you explain this to me?
Thanks
Julie