When choosing an air filter for your home, you want to know you are taking care of your health, keeping your air clean, and not putting undue strain on the HVAC system that keeps your home heated and cooled. One of the tools you can use to measure how well your filter works is the MERV rating. 

You may see filters rated anywhere between one and sixteen, but what does that mean for you, and what filtration level is best for you and your family? If you need help choosing, here is a quick breakdown of the MERV rating system, what a filter with a MERV 8 rating can do for your home, and whether it is time to upgrade to a more robust system for your family. 

Definition of MERV 

MERV stands for minimum efficiency reporting values, a standard rating system that measures how many particles that air filter can remove from the air. 

These filters range from a MERV 1—which removes a few particles from the air—to a MERV 16. There are also high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. HEPA filters are typically used in medical settings and remove more than 99.7 percent of particles from the air. 

Is a MERV 8 Rating Good Enough for My Home? 

When looking for a filter for your home, you want to know that you are keeping the air you breathe as clean as possible. That means asking whether a MERV 8 rating is good enough for your home, or whether you need something with a more robust filtration system. 

For most families, a filter with a MERV 8 rating is just right for your needs. These air filters remove particles that can impact the air quality in your home, keeping you safe.

This filter is a strong middle ground. Stronger filters take more effort for air to pass through them. That can lead to mechanical issues or strain on your HVAC system, meaning you may be paying more for your energy bill. 

When a Higher Rating May Be Right for You 

An air filter with a MERV 8 rating may be perfect for most families. For those without certain factors that can impact the air quality in their home, this filter offers the support they need without putting a strain on their HVAC system. So when would you possibly need something more powerful? 

If you have any of the following impactful factors in your home, you may want to consider a filter with a MERV 11 rating or higher: 

• Your city has high pollution levels: Some people live in areas with smog and other common pollution issues that may impact the air quality of their homes. Wildfires, smog, and other air pollutants are harder to filter out and may require a more robust system that can capture these elements. 
• You have pets: As much as you love your furry friends, their hair can irritate your respiratory system. If you have pets and especially if you have allergies, you may need a harder-working filter. 
• You smoke: Cigarettes release a strong odor, smoke, and plenty of chemicals and particles that can impact your home’s health and air quality. These particles can also be more difficult to filter out from a typical air filter. If you smoke in your home, a stronger air filter can help keep your home fresh. 

You may also want to consider MERV 8 carbon air filters. These air filters offer a different form of filtration called adsorption, which can help remove gaseous particles a traditional air filter may not. 

Ready for a New Filter? We Can Help 

Keeping the air in your home fresh, clean, and free of irritants can improve your quality of life in many ways. Even in the short term, you may find yourself breathing freely without allergies or sinus issues impacting your quality of life. In the long term, you may notice health benefits associated with fewer VOCs impacting your health and quality of life. 

Getting the right air filter for your home is vital to your health and your family’s health. The team at FilterKing understands that you have an important decision to make, and we are here to help. If you are unsure which of our many filters is right for you, call us. We can help you the right filter for your home.