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03.10.2024
Brooke Kirshne
When it comes to creating a healthy indoor environment, air quality is most important. While we may feel that staying indoors is a safer option, especially after the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, indoor air can actually be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is where the need for air filters comes in, they’re designed to improve indoor air quality by trapping particles and pollutants before they circulate in our spaces.
An air filter is an important component and one of the important parts of an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The filter acts as a medium between indoor air and the HVAC system, as air flows through it, the filter captures dust, allergens, and other airborne particles, preventing them from circulating throughout your space. This process increases the quality of indoor air and makes it safe and healthy. To identify the efficiency of an air filter MERV ratings were created and MERV 8 and 10 are one of the most used filters in residential places. In this blog, we’ll understand these two filter ratings in detail to help you decide which MERV rating is best suited for your needs.
Overview Of MERV Ratings
The word MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting value, it is an air filter efficiency rating system that was created by the ASHRAE (American Society Of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers) in 1987. After its creation, every filter has been assigned a rating that shows its capacity to filter particles from air. The ratings are given to a filter by checking the size of airborne particles the filter can capture. The size of particles is measured in micrometers. The MERV ratings are given in numbers and range from 1 to 20 and with the increase in number the efficiency of capturing small particles also increases. Here is the chart that will show you every MERV rating efficiency:
| MERV Range | Captures Contaminants | Application | Size of Particles Removed | Air Filter Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 | Pollen, Dust, Dust Mites, Sanding Dust, Textile & Carpet Fibers | Residential | Removes 65% to 80% of particles of size more than 10 microns. | Disposable Filters, Electrostatic Filters |
| 5-8 | Mold Spores, Pet Dander, Hair Spray, Fabric Protector, Cement Dust | Better Residential, Commercial, Industrial Workplaces | Eliminates 20% to 70% of particles of size 3.0 to 10.0 microns. | Pleated Filters, Electrostatic Filters |
| 9-12 | Auto Emissions, Lead Dust, Humidifier Dust, Welding Fumes | Superior Residential, Better Commercial, and Hospital Laboratories | Captures 35% to 90% of particles of size between 1.0 and 3.0 microns. | Pleated Filters |
| 13-16 | Bacteria, Tobacco Smoke, Droplet Nuclei (Sneeze), Insecticide Dust | General Surgery Rooms, Hospital Inpatient Care | Terminates 50% to 95% of particles of size 0.3 to 1.0 microns. | Pleated Filters |
| 17-20 | Viruses, Carbon Dust, All Combustion Smoke | Radioactive & Carcinogenic Materials, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | Removes 99.97% or more airborne particles of size 0.3 microns or less | HEPA Filters |
Differences Between MERV 8 and MERV 10 Air Filters
Let’s compare MERV 8 and MERV 10 air filters by looking at their advantages and disadvantages to help you choose the right one for your needs.
MERV 8 Air Filter?
An air filter that is rated 8 according to the scale of the MERV ratings is known as the MERV 8 air filter. These filters are made of fully synthetic materials like polyester, polypropylene, and fiberglass. There are many advantages and disadvantages of these filters and here they are:
Advantages
- Budget-Friendly: The price of a MERV 8 filter ranges between $5 to $20, so people who want a budget-friendly option can go for this air filter.
- Decent Filtration: With the MERV ratings of 8 these filters can provide a decent level of air filtration and capture particles like dust, mold spores, pet dander, etc.
- Low Airflow Resistance: These filters have low airflow resistance which means air will not face high pressure while passing through the filter. This puts less stress on your HVAC unit.
- Availability: A MERV 8 air filter is widely available so they can be bought easily when the current filter needs a replacement.
Disadvantages
- Low Filtration Efficiency: The MERV 8 filters have low filtration efficiency because they may not capture small particles which can keep the indoor air quality low.
- Frequent Replacement: The MERV 8 air filters require replacement every 1 to 3 months and this can also depend on the environment where it is used.
- Doesn’t Provide Sterile Environment: These filters don’t remove allergens efficiently which can lead to severe symptoms in individuals who are allergy sufferers.
MERV 10 Air Filter?
The air filters that are rated 10 according to the MERV rating scale are called the MERV 10 air filters. These filters are made of synthetic fibers and have a pleated design which increases their filtration surface area. Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of the MERV 10 air filter:
Advantages
- High Filtration Efficiency: MERV 10 air filters work well in your homes and office by trapping small particles like car emissions, dust from humidifiers, and more.
- Versatile Use: These filters are suited for both residential and commercial places so individuals who want an air filter in their office should go for MERV 10 filters.
- Provide Sterile Environment: A MERV 10 filter is effective at removing allergens and bacteria that can cause some people health issues like asthma and allergies.
- Protects HVAC Unit: By removing small airborne particles that can affect the components of the HVAC system the MERV 10 filter protects the unit.
Disadvantages
- High Cost: The MERV 10 filters come with a higher cost and their prices range between $10 and $30 which can be expensive for many individuals.
- Low Lifespan: The lifespan of a MERV 10 filter is low because this filter needs replacement every 1 to 3 months and this time can vary depending on its use.
- High Airflow Resistance: Due to the high MERV ratings of this filter it has a high airflow resistance, which will allow the HVAC unit to work more for proper air supply.
When To Choose MERV 8 Or 10 Air Filters?
The MERV 8 filters are specially designed for residential uses because they provide a moderate level of filtration which is required in most homes. The price of a MERV 8 filter is very low around $5 to $20 which is affordable for most people. So people who want a budget-friendly decent indoor air filtration solution then they should invest in a MERV 8 filter. On the other hand, people who want to clean their indoor air with high filtration efficiency without thinking about their budget should buy a MERV 10 air filter. These filters can remove small airborne particles like allergens that can affect some individual's health and may give them asthma-like problems. So it is important to know your requirements before buying an air filter.
Which MERV Rating Is Best For COVID-19 Protection?
Although COVID-19 is no longer a major concern, the pandemic has taught us an important lesson about how vital the quality of the air we breathe is. During the pandemic, we learned that tiny virus particles, like the SARS-CoV-2 virus, are small enough to be carried through the air. These particles attach to respiratory droplets measuring roughly 1 millimetre in size, which is why an effective air filter has become so important. MERV 8 filters are good for trapping larger particles like dust and pet dander, making them suitable for general household use.
However, MERV 10 filters offer better filtration, capturing smaller particles like allergens and fine dust, which makes them a better choice for improving air quality, especially for those with allergies or respiratory issues. While both MERV 8 and MERV 10 filters are effective for everyday use, MERV 10 provides stronger protection against a wider range of airborne pollutants, but for the highest protection, filters with MERV 13 or higher are needed to capture smaller particles, including viruses.
Conclusion
Now that you know the differences between MERV 8 and MERV 10 air filters, choosing the right one for your needs becomes easier. As a crucial part of an HVAC system, the air filter acts as a barrier between airborne particles and the air circulating throughout your space. When air flows through the filter, pollutants like dust, pollen, and other particles are effectively captured, improving air quality. With various air filters available on the market, each has different levels of filtration efficiency, measured by the MERV rating system.
The MERV ratings range from 1 to 20 and it measures the efficiency of filters based on their ability to capture particles according to size. The particle sizes are measured in micrometers (microns). The MERV 8 and MERV 10 air filters are one of the most used filters in homes and commercial places. If you’re looking for the ideal MERV rating for your needs, Custom Filters Direct has you covered with a wide selection of customizable MERV-rated air filters. So contact us today at (877) 812-7983.
