Which Air Filter is Right for Me?

Flowers spreading pollen.

Reducing the amount of dust, pollen, and other pollutants in the air inside your home is a critical step in safeguarding your family’s health. Air filters in your HVAC system perform this essential task, and you can tell how well they perform by their MERV rating.

MERV is a term frequently used to compare air filters because it helps you select the best HVAC air filter for your home heating/cooling system. If you have been looking at filters and asking questions like “What is a MERV rating and why do I need it?” or “What MERV air filter should I buy to reduce dust?” today’s post will help. We will explain MERV ratings and how they help you find the right air filter for your system.

Why MERV Ratings?

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. When applied to air filters, this rating tells you how efficient they are at cleaning the air. The value ranges from 1 to 20, with 1 representing the lowest efficiency filter, such as metal mesh or a perforated metal screen, and 20 representing the highest level of filtration, like the kind necessary in pharmaceutical research or cleanroom industries.

You don’t have to resort to extreme MERV ratings to get healthy air for your home. The best HVAC air filter for your application will have the MERV rating you need to maintain your health and not strain the equipment in your HVAC system. In most cases, a filter with a rating that is suitable for the typical home is sufficient, but when occupants have certain health considerations or other conditions are present, a more robust filter may be needed.

What MERV-Rated Air Filter Do I Need to Buy?

You should buy the filter that gives you the healthiest air possible, while at the same time not putting unusual resistance to airflow in your heating and cooling system since that may strain your system and reduce its life. For most residential systems, this means the best HVAC air filter for your home will probably have a MERV 8 or MERV 13 rating. These filters are economical, easy for homeowners to replace, efficient, and drop-in compatible with your current system.

Dirt roads create lots of dust

Why Should I Buy A MERV 8 Filter?

According to the EPA, MERV 8 filters can eliminate dust and other particles from 1-3 microns in size from the air with at least 20% efficiency or more and particles from 3-10 microns with at least 30% efficiency or greater. This type of filter can reduce the concentration of many objectionable materials in the air, such as mold spores, different kinds of dust (road dust, cement dust, etc.), dust mites, carpet fiber debris, and more.

A MERV 8 air filter can also help remove some tree, grass, and weed pollen, but may not be efficient enough in your home. For greater efficiency and cleaner air, the best HVAC air filter for your home may be a MERV 13.

Why Should I Buy a MERV 13 Filter?

“What air filter should I use for pollen?” and “What MERV rating do I need for pet dander?” are questions you might ask if you suffer from irritated eyes, ears, or nasal passages. These may be signs your MERV 8 filter isn’t cutting it.

MERV 13 filters like our SwiftSelect 13 series can remove at least 50% or more of airborne particles that are 0.3 - 1 microns in size. They are at least 85% efficient or more at removing particles from 1 - 3 microns and at least 90% efficient or more at trapping particles that are 3 - 10 microns in size. They may reduce the irritation of allergens and the amount of suspended particles in the air.

Better efficiency and the ability to trap smaller particles may make a MERV 13 HVAC air filter the best choice for your home, especially if any of the following conditions are present:

  • Asthma
  • Pets
  • Allergies
  • Health-compromised occupants
  • Nearby industries
  • Nearby heavy traffic
  • Nearby dirt roads, construction, and agricultural activity

Where Can I Find The Best MERV Air Filter Replacements?

FilterSwift makes premium pleated air filters for commercial and residential applications. Our MERV-rated filters offer more surface area to catch dirt without increasing air resistance. FilterSwift products allow you to remove dirt from your home before you breathe it.

The questions “What MERV rating do I need to reduce allergy symptoms?” and “What kind of MERV air filter should I buy if I live near dirt roads?” should be easy to answer with the information we’ve provided today. So now that you know what MERV rating you want, it’s time to go shopping.

A woman blowing smoke, a common air pollutant.

Shop Premium Air Filters

Getting the best HVAC air filter for your home is easy with FilterSwift, and our competitively-priced products fit most household budgets. Our fulfillment process is fast and secure, and orders get shipped on the same day we get them whenever possible. And in case you get anxious, we send you tracking information so you always know where your order is.

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