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How do I know which furnace filter to buy?
First, locate the filter slot in your furnace/air handler. Some homes have filters behind their return vents as well. Furnace filter size is measured using length, width, and depth. For example, a furnace filter that measures 18”x16”x1” is 18 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 1-inch deep.
What quality furnace filter should I buy?
The higher the MERV, the better the filter. Typical MERV ratings for residential furnace filters are between 6 and 12. If you’re concerned about indoor air quality, the Environmental Working Group recommends a MERV 10 or higher.
What MERV rating filter should I use?
In general, the best MERV rating for a home is somewhere between 8-10. These filters will capture a large portion of the airborne particles and improve indoor air quality without making your energy costs rise significantly.
Will MERV 11 hurt my furnace?
A MERV 11 air filter has a higher efficiency rating. In particular, using an air filter with a MERV rating that’s too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. In most cases, a MERV 11 air filter isn’t too high for residential use.
What size filter do I need?
Follow these 3 easy steps to measure your HVAC filter size: Step 1 – Measuring Length and Width (L x W). (If your filter is not a square, the smallest measurement goes first). Step 2 – Measure the thickness (Depth) of your filter from front to back. Step 3 – Put Your measurements together (L x W x D).
How do I choose an air filter?
Size, MERV rating and material – these are the three primary factors used to pick the proper air filter for your home. 1) Filter Size. 2) Material & MERV Rating. Rating Average Filtration Efficiency. Be Careful About High MERV Ratings.
Does MERV 13 filters restrict air flow?
MERV 13 air filters are the highest-rated air filters for home use. Any air filter with a rating higher than 13 will restrict air flow to the point of which could cause damage to your HVAC system, resulting in an added expense to fix it.
Can a furnace filter be too restrictive?
All furnace filters have a MERV rating which indicates filter efficiency. The makeup of these high-efficiency filters can be too restrictive for the unit, creating a barrier to good airflow. The HVAC system may struggle to pass air through the air filter and expend more energy in its attempts.
Is a MERV 12 filter too restrictive?
If your filter is either too dirty or too resistant it can cause airflow problems hurting efficiency and performance. To determine resistance, filters use the MERV rating system.Learn how to maintain your. home and HVAC this fall. MERV Minimum Particle Size 9–12 3.0–1.0 μm 13–16 1.0–0.3 μm 17–20 < 0.3 μm.
Is MERV 10 good?
A filter with a MERV rating of around 10 to 12 is sufficient to remove most allergy-causing particles from your home’s air.
Is MERV 11 a good filter?
MERV 11 rated air filters have a filtration efficiency of a little over 90%, making them highly efficient. MERV 11 furnace filters effectively trap pollen, dust, lint, dust mites, and mold, along with smoke, pet dander, smog, auto emissions, bacteria, and other such fine particles.
Is MERV 8 good enough?
A MERV 8 air filter is efficient at trapping a majority of indoor particulates that could debilitate those with asthma and allergies, or even cause long-term respiratory problems.
Are MERV 13 filters worth it?
A MERV 13 filter is a step in the right direction and captures more particles than a typical MERV 8 filter. However, it is not as good at capturing small virus sized particles like a HEPA can. A MERV 13 will trap less than 75% of air particles that are 0.3-1.0 micron in size (the coronavirus is 0.1 microns).
What MERV rating should I get for home?
As a general rule, residences do not use higher than MERV 8 filters. We do recommend that everyone uses filters that have at least an 8 MERV rating. These filters will remove the majority of pollutants from your indoor air.
Is MERV 8 good enough for Covid?
Filters with MERV-13 or higher ratings can trap smaller particles, including viruses. Many home HVAC systems will have a MERV-8 filter installed as the default. By itself, using an upgraded HVAC filter is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.
How do I know what size filter I need for my furnace?
Furnace filters are sized by width, length and thickness. The size on the filter is usually expressed in inches (example: 16″x20″x1″). A filter that is the wrong size will typically not fit, or may not stay in place, once installed. The owner’s manual for your furnace should tell you what size you need.
Can I use a different size furnace filter?
While a 4-inch-thick filter is more efficient than a 1-inch filter, the right size depends on your furnace. If you measure the filter slot, and it’s large enough to accommodate the thicker filter, then you can use it. However, if the slot is less than 4 inches wide, you’re stuck with using that thickness.
What happens if furnace filter is too small?
An improperly sized air filter doesn’t do its job. When it’s too small, it lets dust, mold, and other contaminants into your air vents. These then spew into your air, providing air quality problems.
