With the recommendation of a MERV 13 or higher, is this the best air filter for residential use? A MERV 13 filter is a great start and can capture more particles than a typical MERV 8 filter. However, it's not as effective at trapping small virus-sized particles as HEPA filters can. A MERV 13 will trap less than 75% of air particles that are 0.3 to 1.0 microns in size (the coronavirus measures 0.1 microns). It is also difficult for many existing HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems to adopt a MERV 13 due to the increased load on the fan caused by the finer filter medium, which can reduce airflow if the system is not designed to support that type of filter.
On average, many installations are limited to a MERV 8 or MERV 9 type filter. ASHRAE recommends using MERV 13 filters whenever possible, with MERV-A 13-A or MERV 14 filters being preferred. This is driving the use of higher-efficiency filters in many buildings. In places where the air conditioning filter cannot be improved or the outdoor air increased during the winter, it is recommended to add cleaning capacity to the units in the room.
These units must include filters with a high MERV or better to remove most of these virus-laden particles. While the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) suggests the MERV 13, it may not be the most efficient option for some residential HVAC systems. Considering the threat posed by the spread of COVID-19 and other germs, upgrading a building's air filter to a HEPA is a much more effective step than simply to a MERV 13, considering the small size of the virus (0.06 to 0.12 microns); the more efficient the filter, the better. Therefore, filters with a MERV rating greater than 13 can filter particles with a size close to 0.3 microns.
MERV 13 air filters will provide good air quality in your home when purchased through an air filter. While MERV 8 is known to be effective at filtering airborne contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores and lint, higher MERV rates will further cleanse the air. MERV 13 filters, for example, also remove bacteria, tobacco smoke, car fumes, insecticide dust, pet dander and more. A HEPA filter is basically the ultimate solution in terms of air filters and far exceeds what a MERV 13 can do.
In conclusion, while a MERV 13 filter is an improvement over lower rated filters such as MERV 8 or 9, it may not be enough for some residential HVAC systems due to its limited ability to capture small virus-sized particles. For maximum protection against airborne contaminants such as COVID-19 and other germs, it is recommended to upgrade your building's air filter to a HEPA filter.
