MERV 8 vs MERV 11 Air Filters: Which Should I Use?

Any kind of home or business property must have excellent indoor air quality in order to maintain comfort and health. A large number of people are suffering from long-term respiratory issues, and even small amounts of indoor air pollution can worsen these conditions. Yet, poor air quality can put anyone at risk for both short- and long-term health consequences, not only those with respiratory conditions. For the HVAC system in your home, this is the reason why choosing the correct air filter is important.

When choosing an air filter, you might be wondering if it would make sense to choose a higher filter level in order to capture larger amounts of particles. MERV 8 and MERV 11 air filters are two common choices for use at home, and we are going to discuss them in more detail in this guide. We'll compare their differences and help you choose which one you should buy based on your needs. You will understand more about using the correct filter that will improve the quality of the air inside your home by the time you finish reading this article.

MERV Rating On Air Filters

It's important to learn about MERV ratings and how they affect filter performance in order to choose the right air filter for your needs. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Dust, pollen, and various other airborne particles can be efficiently captured by an air filter using this common method of measurement. Your quality of indoor air can be maintained to a greater level with a filter because of this rating system. The MERV rating system ranges from 1 to 16.

A rating of 1 indicates that the filter is not particularly effective at capturing particles, while a rating of 16 indicates that it is highly effective at capturing the most tiny particles. The air quality in your residence or place of business will be enhanced by using filters with higher MERV ratings, which will capture more of the dust and pollutants that lower MERV ratings let pass through. Knowing these ratings will help you in choosing a filter that will suit your requirements and maintain the quality of the air you breathe.

Essential Ratings You Should Be Aware Of

Since a MERV 20 filter can capture almost all contaminants in a home, many people believe that this is the most beneficial choice when choosing an air filter. For most residential and even commercial buildings, this level of filtration is not required, though. To make sure that you get the filter that best meets your requirements, it is important to know about MERV ratings before making any purchases.

• MERV 1 to 4: At the bottom end of the scale are filters with a MERV rating of 1 to 4. Only particles 10 microns or larger (particles typically visible to the naked eye), such as pollen, textile fibers, pet hair, dust bunnies, and sawdust, can pass through these filters. These filters don’t work well for most indoor spaces and are often used as pre-filters or in small window AC units when other units are used to help with filtration.
• MERV 5 to 8: Better filtration can be offered by MERV 5 to 8 filters, which are more commonly used. In addition to everything that the lower-rated filters capture, they can additionally capture particles as small as 3 to 10 microns, which include mildew, mold, fungus, dust lint, and cement dust in places like factories. Commercial buildings and central home air conditioning systems can benefit from these filters. Although they are not as efficient as filters with higher ratings, these filters are also used in some small industrial settings.
• MERV 9 to 12: Both homes and businesses can benefit from using MERV 9 to 12 filters. Bacteria, coal dust, humidifier dust, nebulizer dust, and other particles of sizes of 1 to 3 microns can all be captured by these filters. Although not required everywhere, these filters work well in hospital labs, premium commercial buildings, and homes with higher air quality requirements.
• MERV 13 to 16: Particles that are as small as 0.3 to 1 micron are captured by highly efficient filters with MERV ratings ranging from 13 to 16. The majority of the uses for these filters are in medical environments, such as surgical rooms and intensive care units. They can be useful in homes, too, particularly for those who have pets or who have severe allergies. MERV 13 to 16 filters can capture all of the particles that lower-rated filters are unable to capture, as well as tiny bacteria, tobacco smoke, dust from insecticides, pet hair, and copier toner. 
• MERV 17 to 20: The highest-rated filters, MERV 17 to 20, are rarely used outside of specific circumstances. These filters are created for use in hazardous material handling labs, such as those in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants and research facilities that must follow strict safety standards. They are capable of capturing radon particles, smoke, odors, small allergens, carbon dust, virus vectors, and smells from sea salt. Since very tiny particles are typically only encountered in medical or lab environments, filters exceeding MERV 17 have no use for average homes or workplaces.

Difference Between MERV 8 And MERV 11 Filters

Selecting the right air filter can be difficult if you are not aware of MERV ratings. With this useful comparison table, let's explore the main differences between MERV 8 and MERV 11 filters to help you make a better choice.

Is The MERV 8 Air Filter Suitable For Your Needs?

Homeowners often choose MERV 8 air filters due to their high level of air purification efficiency. In addition to dust, mold, allergens, dust mites, germs, and pet dander, these filters are capable of capturing approximately 80 percent of airborne particles. They are created to block particles with a size range of 3.0 to 10 microns. A MERV 8 filter is an excellent option for maintaining healthy indoor air quality because it provides a decent blend of price and quality for the majority of households.

A MERV 8 filter, however, might not be enough if you have multiple pets, suffer from severe allergies, or have asthma. In such situations, it might not be able to handle the increased quantity of pet dander along with other allergens. To guarantee improved air quality, you might also require a filter with a higher MERV rating if you live in a location with high levels of pollution or smoke. The environment in your house and your specific needs will determine which filter is best for you.

Is The MERV 11 Air Filter The Right Choice For You?

Here are some things to consider if you are unsure if the MERV 11 air filter is best for you. As it captures a wider variety of particles, including dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and even smog, the MERV 11 filter is more effective compared to the MERV 8. It filters over 85% of airborne contaminants and can capture particles as fine as 1.0 to 3.0 microns. For individuals who have multiple pets, have respiratory problems, or live in a location with high levels of air pollution, this makes it an excellent option.

Despite its outstanding efficiency, the MERV 11 filter has a greater cost. Individuals who don't have pets or respiratory issues could not benefit from it. An HVAC system may experience increased strain if a higher-efficiency filter, such as the MERV 11, restricts airflow. In most houses, especially those without any specific worries about air quality, a lower-rated filter may be sufficient. All things considered, if you require additional protection against air pollutants and can bear the higher expense and possibility of limited airflow, the MERV 11 is an excellent option. These filters are not only ideal for residential use but are also suited for industrial HVAC systems that demand high air quality standards.

Airflow Comparison: MERV 8 vs. MERV 11

Airflow and HVAC system efficiency are the main areas of difference between MERV 8 and MERV 11 air filters. Better indoor air quality is achieved through the MERV 11 filters' exceptional ability to capture extremely fine particles, including those as small as 2.5 microns. The HVAC system has to work harder because of the increased resistance it creates due to its greater capacity to capture particles. This could result in more frequent filter changes and increased energy costs. For houses with pets or individuals with allergies, MERV 11 filters are a great choice if you require high air quality.

MERV 8 filters, on the other hand, provide your HVAC system with greater airflow and reduced resistance, resulting in increased efficiency and stable humidity and temperature control. Their softer nature can result in longer-lasting filters and reduced energy expenses for the system. Most houses with medium air quality requirements and a need for less maintenance will benefit from MERV 8 filters. They balance efficient filtration with controllable system performance, even though they are not as effective at capturing the tiny particles as MERV 11 filters are.

Conclusion

MERV 8 and MERV 11 air filters can be chosen depending on what your living space requires. If you are looking for a budget-friendly filter that can deal with common particles such as pollen, dust, and mold spores in your house or business, MERV 8 filters are a good option. They offer excellent protection while contributing to clean air. However, MERV 11 filters offer higher filtration, capturing small particles while providing cleaner air without straining your HVAC system, whether you have allergies, pets, or live in a highly polluted area.

Custom Filters Direct offers excellent filters that are designed to improve indoor air quality. Give us a call at 1-877-958-5612 if you require air filters. Find the perfect filters for your house or place of business with our assistance. Custom Filters Direct is a reliable source for maintaining air quality and your HVAC system's functioning.

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