When researching air conditioning systems, air flow will increase a lot. A higher MERV rating means greater resistance, which means less airflow. This is because it is very important for the performance and longevity of your oven or your air controller. Airflow is also the key to a comfortable home.
The short answer is yes, but it's not really a problem, except in extreme circumstances. Most modern HVAC systems have no problem operating with higher MERV filters, which is why millions of homeowners rely on them. The main risk of high-efficiency air filters comes from the fact that they are not modified for long periods of time. If you don't stop changing the filters, it's unlikely that you'll experience any filter-related problems in your air conditioning system.
The MERV rating is a good indicator of the effectiveness of an air filter in a split central air conditioning system. The higher the rating, the better the filter. As the MERV rating increases, fewer and fewer contaminants and dust pass through the filter, improving the quality of the incoming air flow. Using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high is just as bad as using one that is too low.
Air filters with higher MERV ratings may filter more, but the thickness of the filter material may restrict airflow. Restricted airflow can reduce comfort, increase energy use, and accelerate the wear and tear of air conditioning components. In particular, using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high can damage the compressor, heat exchanger, and air conditioner coil. For example, a general filtration with an 8 MERV filter will filter down to approximately 10 microns, while a 13 MERV filter will only have about 0.3 microns through.
If someone has an allergy or respiratory problem, choose a MERV 11 air filter or even a MERV 13 air filter. Each air filter has its pros and cons, but both MERV 8 air filters and MERV 11 air filters are suitable for residential use. Low-efficiency filters are usually within the MERV 1-4 and the high-efficiency filters are those of the MERV 13 and later versions. Raising only three MERV rating levels can be a smart decision that makes the air cleaner, or a harmful option for the entire air conditioning system, considering the air flow capacity of the MERV 8 versus the MERV 11.
One thing to keep in mind is that the MERV 11 air filter may need to be changed a little more frequently than the MERV 8 air filter. Here's what you need to know to make sure you have the right MERV rating compared to the right airflow filter for your space. The MERV scale is not linear; the difference between a MERV 6 and a MERV 8 is almost double in terms of the percentage of particles captured. MERV 11 air filters can filter a large percentage of fine particles, but a MERV 8 air filter cannot.
It may seem that they are almost the same thing, but MERV 8 air filters and MERV 11 air filters have some clear differences. This comparison chart helps highlight the differences between MERV 8 and MERV 11 filters to make it easier to decide which one works best. Based on the above-mentioned characteristics, a MERV 8 is considered a superior filter compared to air filters with a lower MERV rating. If you're concerned about the effects of inhaling fine air particles, that's another reason to choose a MERV 11 air filter over a MERV 8 air filter.
Since the MERV classification system is standard, it makes it a bit easier to compare filters with different MERV ratings. If you're trying to choose between a MERV 8 air filter and a MERV 11 air filter, here's what you need to know.
