What Kind of Air Filter is Best?
If you’ve ever found yourself in the air filter aisle, debating which filter is the best choice for your home, this guide is for you!
As a general rule of thumb, if your family has no pets and doesn’t struggle with allergies, you don’t need to invest in the most expensive air filter out there. An everyday filter with a MERV rating of 1-4 should work just fine.
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, which indicate the level of filtration and ranges from 1 to 20. The higher the number, the better the filter is at trapping particles. Most homeowners select filters with a MERV rating in the 5-8 range to ensure they’re trapping most allergens that end up in their homes, but not starving their system of much needed airflow.
Here’s a more detailed overview of each MERV range:
MERV 1-4
MERV ratings in the 1-4 range will filter large particles such as pollen, dust mites, sanding dust, and textile fibers. (Grainger) These filters will be your basic and most affordable option, but they may not be the best choice for families with pets or allergies.
MERV 5-8
MERV ratings in the 5-8 range will filter the particles listed above, as well as dust lint and mold spores. These are considered more high-quality filters for a home that needs a little extra help ensuring good air quality. If you are mildly affected by pet allergies, a filter in the 7-8 range may be a good option.
MERV 9-12
MERV ratings in the 9-12 range can trap the particles listed above, as well as pet dander, auto emissions, and lead dust. These are commonly used in areas that require extra filtration, such as hospital laboratories and homes of people with serious allergies and/or asthma. (Nano Home)
MERV 13-16
MERV ratings in the 13-16 range catch oil droplets, smoke particles, and a large range of bacteria. These are ideal for spaces where high air filtration is essential, like indoor smoking areas or hospitals.
MERV 16+
Filters with MERV ratings of 16 or higher are often only used in production facilities for pharmaceuticals and electronics. These filters trap the smallest smoke particles, viruses, and microscopic allergens.
HEPA
HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters are a type of pleated mechanical air filter. In theory, these filters can “remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).” (EPA) These kind of filters aren’t meant to be installed in your home’s HVAC system, but you can use them in standalone air purifiers.
Keep in mind that each of MERV ratings are only general guidelines, and factors such as furnace age, airflow, your pet situation, or allergies may influence your home’s individual filter needs. Choosing the highest MERV rating possible may not be the best call if your system wasn’t designed to handle high filtration levels. When in doubt, ask your HVAC technician!
Looking to improve your home’s indoor air quality? Here at W.E. Brown, we offer an array of indoor air quality services that can reduce particulates and other contaminants in your indoor air, improving freshness and airflow throughout your home. Visit our indoor air quality page to learn more.
