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21.11.2024
Brooke Kirshne
Are you getting confused about which air filter should you choose MERV 8 or MERV 13 for the better air quality that fits the needs and lifestyle you desire? Let’s find out so you can have a healthier and more comfortable environment by properly maintaining the indoor air quality and the efficiency of your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system. Both MERV 8 and MERV 13 are some of the most popular air filter options that most people choose for their HVAC systems. They are particularly designed to meet all kinds of requirements and fulfill the needs.
However, there are multiple differences between them and it is essential that you understand these similarities so that you can make the right and more informed decisions that suit the environment of your home, office, or any other building. Here, we will discuss important pieces of information and help you gain knowledge about what MERV ratings are, understand the role of MERV 8 and MERV 13, the major differences between these two, and understand the pros and cons of these filters. All of this vital information will help you make the best choice for your HVAC systems.
What Is A MERV Rating?
MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It is a system that is built especially to check the effectiveness of the air filter quality in capturing harmful particles in the air. It was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, or ASHRAE for short. The standard scale helps the consumers to compare the filters and better understand the level of their performance. MERV ratings range from 1 to 16, the higher the number of ratings the better the air filter will work in trapping smaller airborne particles. The main purpose of these MERV ratings is to provide you with a clear idea of their filtration ability so that you will be able to choose the right filter for your HVAC system. The MERV air filters get their ratings by going through a test of their capability to capture particles of different sizes, from large dust mites to microscopic allergens and bacteria.
Understanding The Role Of MERV 8 Air Filters
MERV 8 air filters are a practical and trustworthy choice that provides you with basic air filter needs. They are designed specifically to trap large airborne particles that size about 3 microns such as dust, pollen, mold spores, and the hair and fur of your pets. These MERV 8 air filters hold a nice reputation for offering a comfortable indoor environment. It maintains a perfect balance between the efficiency of the air filtration and keeping the airflow of your HVAC system. This makes them most appropriate for places like homes, offices, and other spaces. One of their best features is to reduce allergens and pollutants which eventually makes sure that you have a healthier indoor atmosphere without putting extra workload on your HVAC systems.
Understanding The Role Of MERV 13 Air Filters
MERV 13 are great quality air filters that provide you with high performance in capturing pollutants in the air. These air filters are well known for trapping even smaller particles that size about 1 micron which include dust mites, pet fur, mold spores, pollen, bacteria, and even some kinds of viruses. They have advanced level filtration ability that helps in improving the indoor air quality. This makes it a popular choice for people who are cautious about having a healthy and clean environment. MERV 13 air filters are mostly used in places that require better air quality like schools, offices, healthcare facilities, and many more. There are multiple benefits of the MERV 13 air filter like reducing airborne particles and providing cleaner and safer air for people.
Differences Between MERV 8 And MERV 13 Air Filters
There are multiple differences between MERV 8 and MERV 13 air filters. Below you will see a table that will help you better understand the differences according to different factors of air filters.
| Factor | MERV 8 Air Filters | MERV 13 Air Filters |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | It can capture large particles like dust, mold spores, and pollen. | It can capture both larger and smaller particles like bacteria, viruses, and smoke. |
| Arrestance | The ability to remove airborne particles is greater than 90%. | The power to remove pollutant particles is greater than 98%. |
| Dust-Spot Percent | The dust-spot efficiency percentage is less than 25-30%. | The dust-spot efficiency percentage is less than 90%. |
| Airflow | It helps maintain the efficiency of the HVAC system by offering low resistance to airflow. | It has high resistance to airflow which reduces the efficiency of the HVAC system. |
| HVAC Compatibility | MERV 8 is built in a way that it becomes compatible with most of the standard HVAC systems. | MERV 13 requires HVAC systems that are capable of handling higher airflow resistance. |
| Cost | These are more affordable as they generally lower the overall expenses. | These are quite expensive because of their ability to provide higher filtration ability. |
| Durability | It can last up to 3 months with regular use. | It can last up to 4 to 6 months. However, the frequency of replacing it depends on several factors like the amount of usage, and environmental conditions. |
Comparing The Pros And Cons Of MERV 8 And MERV 13 Air Filters
Now that you have learned about the differences it is important that you know about the pros and cons of both MERV 8 and MERV 13 air filters. This valuable information will let you help pick the right air filter according to your needs and desires.
MERV 8 Air Filters:
Pros:
- This air filter is a cost-effective option that is widely available. Because of its affordability, it is an ideal option for standard residential and light commercial applications.
- It helps improve the air quality by trapping airborne particles like dust, pollen, and other pollutants.
- These MERV 8 air filters are specially built to maintain a smooth airflow and reduce any workload on your HVAC systems.
Cons:
- It can operate in big places like schools and hospitals that strictly require good air quality.
- They are not good at fighting against small particles like smoke, allergens, and bacteria.
MERV 13 Air Filters:
Pros:
- This air filter is good at capturing small air particles like smoke, bacteria, and some harmful viruses providing you with great indoor air quality.
- It is ideal for people who suffer from allergies, asthma problems, or any other kind of respiratory issues.
- It can operate in large spaces like schools, homes, and other big facilities where advanced pollutant control is needed.
Cons:
- MERV 13 air filters are more expensive and require more frequent replacement when there are high demands in the environment.
- The ability of high filtration can cause restriction to the airflow which can increase the risk of your HVAC systems getting damaged.
Conclusion
You have learned about what the MERV rating is, along with the role of both MERV 8 and MERV 13 air filters and the difference between them. You have discovered how MERV 8 is an affordable option that helps you fight against large particles like dust and pollen. On the other hand, MERV 13 can provide you with better and more advanced filtration by capturing small particles like bacteria and viruses. However, it costs more than MERV 8 because of these features. By remembering all this information you will be able to select the right MERV air filter according to your filtration needs and the ability of your HVAC system.
Visit Custom Filters Direct, we offer our customers a massive variety of MERV air filters including both MERV 8 and MERV 13 options. Every filter we have is made of high quality and can satisfy your specific needs. Our custom air filters are designed to improve the air quality and support the HVAC systems by enhancing their efficiency and providing you with healthier spaces. If you have any more queries then you can contact us at 877-958-5612 or connect with us via email at info@customfiltersdirect.com. We have friendly and skilled staff members with years of knowledge and will be happy to help you find the perfect filter for your home or business.
