If your family has health problems or allergies, then you may want to look for a high-efficiency filter that is MERV 11 or higher. But for most homes, a MERV 7 or 8 filter could be the sweet spot between performance and cost. A higher MERV rating means greater resistance, which means less airflow. When researching HVAC systems, airflow will increase a lot because it is very important to the performance and longevity of your oven or your air handler.
Airflow is also the key to a comfortable home. Overall, our recommended MERV rating for oven filters ranges from 6 to 8 to strike a great balance between maximum oven efficiency and home comfort. Once you understand how the MERV rating table works, you can choose air filters with the MERV ratings that are right for you. It's best to comply with oven manufacturer's recommendations or consult an HVAC professional to determine exactly which MERV rating is best for your specific system.
Choosing the right MERV rating for your oven filter has a big impact on indoor air quality, your HVAC system, and most importantly, the well-being of your family. With the lowest MERV rating (1-), your filter will continue to capture pollen, dust mites, cockroach debris, sanding dust, spray paint dust, textile fibers, and carpet fibers. In general, air filters with higher MERV ratings remove a higher percentage of contaminants in the air and, therefore, improve the indoor air quality of your home. Filter technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, and MERV ratings are designed to help us determine the most effective and efficient air filter options for heating and cooling systems and more.
For example, a better MERV rating doesn't always mean a filter is the best option for your oven. The type of MERV rating isn't the only thing you need to consider when maintaining your HVAC system. If you need a visual breakdown of what MERV ratings look like for air filters, take a look at these comparison tables. According to the U.
S. Environmental Protection Agency, filters in the 7-13 range often have little difference with higher MERV ratings, but will allow your system to operate much more efficiently. The lowest ratings, MERV 1 - 8, are the least efficient at filtering particles, but they do allow the lowest air resistance. While the air filter is designed to control the amount of unwanted air particles entering your home, your filter's MERV rating is meant to show you which filter is best for your home.
A filter with a MERV rating between 1 and 6 can remove particles between 0.3 and 10 microns with an efficiency of 20%. The best MERV rating for your home will depend on what you want to filter and the amount of airflow your HVAC system needs to operate.
