Can I use MERV 12 instead of MERV 11?

Can I use MERV 12 instead of MERV 11?

MERV 12 filters trap 80 to 89 percent of average particles of 1.0 to 3.0 microns, with an average particle size efficiency of 90 percent or better. As you can see, they’re pretty close. That’s why you’re just as good going with a MERV 11 as with a MERV 12. You will get decent results from either.

Is MERV 12 too high?

9-12 MERV – These filters are more efficient and usually offer the best indoor air quality improvement for residential applications. Deep pleated filters fall into this category. Because they work so well at removing airborne pollutants, they must be regularly checked to ensure proper airflow.

Is MERV 12 good enough?

The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the air filter is at catching harmful pollutants in your home’s air. MERV 5–8 (good): These filters are better at catching small particles (3–10 microns) like mold spores, hair spray, dust mites and animal dander. MERV 9–12 (better): The best option for residential use.

Is a MERV 12 filter too restrictive?

If your filter is either too dirty or too resistant it can cause airflow problems hurting efficiency and performance. To determine resistance, filters use the MERV rating system….Learn how to maintain your. home and HVAC this fall.

MERV Minimum Particle Size
9–12 3.0–1.0 μm
13–16 1.0–0.3 μm
17–20 < 0.3 μm

What MERV rating do I need for Covid 19?

What kind of filter should I use in my home HVAC system to help protect my family from COVID-19? Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, or MERV, reports a filter’s ability to capture particles. Filters with MERV-13 or higher ratings can trap smaller particles, including viruses.

Which MERV rating should I buy?

We do recommend that everyone uses filters that have at least an 8 MERV rating. These filters will remove the majority of pollutants from your indoor air. If you have serious medical conditions making it difficult to breathe, you might want to get a filter with MERV 9-12 rating.

What MERV rating should I get for home?

Using an air filter with a MERV rating of about 5 to 8 is appropriate for most residential homes. MERV 5 – MERV 8 filters provide good filtration and will remove most pollen, mold spores, and dust mites.

Is MERV 13 too restrictive?

“MERV” is the standard rating system used in the HVAC industry to determine how well a filter works. And MERV 13 is the highest rating recommended for home use. (Anything above it will restrict airflow too much and could damage your HVAC system).

What MERV rating Do I Need for allergies?

MERV ratings of 9-11 mean at least 90% particulate resistance. If you suffer from extreme allergies, you’ll want to look for a filter with at least a MERV rating of nine. These filters capture particles as small as one micron. MERV ratings of 12-16 are reserved for rooms that need absolute cleanliness.

What’s the difference between Merv, MPR, and FPR?

The three air filter rating systems differ in ranges and were created by separate organizations. MERV ratings extend from 1 to 16. MPR measures ratings based on sizes 0.3 to 1 microns. FPR ratings are on a scale from 4 through 10.

What MERV rating is best?

Here at FilterTime, we recommend a MERV rating between 8 and 13 for residential use. Air filters with a MERV rating of 8 are good standard filters, ones with an 11 MERV rating are better due to the additional protection from pet dander, and filters with a rating around 13 are the best because they reduce…

What Merv should I use?

Most residential HVAC systems will use air filters with MERV ratings from 7-12. A higher MERV value of 5-16 would be recommended for commercial buildings. Anything above a 13 MERV rating is considered to be a High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance ( HEPA ) filter, often used for hospitals and scientific research lab applications.

Will a Higher MERV filter affect my air flow?

Higher Is Not Better You might think that a higher MERV rating would automatically be better, but it’s not. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the pores are for air to flow through an HVAC filter. This can create more resistance in airflow than a system is designed to manage, thus making it inefficient.