Chances are, You take the air that you breathe for granted. You probably only think about the air quality in your home when you get sick. However, you can get sick a lot less often if the air in your home is clean.
Many different particles are floating around the average room that can aggravate allergies or asthma. Viruses are often passed from one person to another through the air.
The best way to keep a clean house is to get the highest quality air filter that you can for your HVAC system.
How do I know what the best air filter is?
Air filters are rated by the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values scale which is shortened to MERV. The MERV rating scale goes from 1 to 20. The higher a filter’s MERV rating is, the better it will clean the air. Most residential homes have filters with a rating between 1 and 12.
According to people who sell filters, such as Filter King, it is best to get a filter with a MERV rating of 13. Although it is only slightly higher than the average rating of filters that a person would have in their home, a filter that is a single point higher can make a huge difference.
What Makes MERV 13 special?
Particles in the air come in many different sizes. Some of those particles are relatively harmless, but others can cause severe illness if a person inhales them. Particles that can be in the air include:
- Germs
- Mold Spores
- Dust
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Bacteria
- Pet Dander
- Cigarette smoke
- Smog
The MERV rating is based on the size of the particles that a filter can capture from the air. The best air filters will be able to capture particles as small as 0.15 microns. Those filters are normally used in hospitals, laboratories, or around radioactive material. They have a rating between 14 and 20. A MERV 13 filter is the very best filter you can get for home use. A filter with a rating higher than 13 would be too much for the average home’s HVAC system to handle. It would force the system to work much harder, and your energy bills would go up, so your HVAC would not work as well.
Not every home’s HVAC system can use a MERV 13 filter. The filters are about 2 inches thick, so it is important to check your owner’s manual to make sure you can use a MERV 13 filter in your system.
Why It is Better Than Other Home Filters
Filters with a MERV rating between 8 and 12 can capture dust, mold, and pollen. It will also filter out particles from carpets and other textiles commonly found in the home. The EPA considers this type of filter acceptable for home use and safe for most HVAC systems. However, there are many particles that these filters will not eliminate.
A MERV 13 filter will capture bacteria, smoke, smog, and particles that carry viruses. As powerful as it is, it is not strong enough to capture the coronavirus particles because they are 0.12 microns in size.
Smog can be very harmful to your lungs, and it also smells. If you live in a place with lots of smog, these filters can make the air quality better.
It isn’t healthy for anyone to smoke, but A MERV 13 filter can help reduce the effects of second-hand smoke if you live with a smoker. Pets are a very important part of the family, but they have a lot of danger. You will never have to worry about giving up a pet because you have allergies if you use this special filter.
Particles from concrete outside can often get into a person’s home, but a MERV 13 filter can capture these dangerous particles.
Is it expensive?
A MERV 13 filter is more expensive than filters with lower ratings. However, because it is thicker, it will capture more particles and last longer than other types of filters. You do not have to change a MERV 13 as often as you would lower-rated filters. It is a good idea to order your filters from a company that offers them in bulk.
If you buy high-quality air filters and change them as often as your HVAC manufacturer recommends, the air in your home will be clean and comfortable. You and your family will be protected from viruses and pollutants that can make you sick.
We hope you found this blog post on MERV 13: The King of Air Filtration useful. Be sure to check out our post on 5 Tips for Checking an HVAC System When Buying a New Home for more great tips!
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