Filters with a MERV 8 rating can trap pollen, dust, lint, dust mites, mold, and other large particle impurities. As noted above, the answer lies in a few factors. Each air filter has its advantages and disadvantages, but both MERV 8 air filters and MERV 11 air filters are suitable for residential use. MERV 8 air filters are most commonly used in residential buildings and they trap about 80% of the particles suspended in the air.
Furnace filters with this MERV rating are capable of blocking contaminants in the 30 to 10 micron range and other larger particles. It retains dust, mold, pollen, dust mites, bacteria and pet dander. When buying an air filter, most people wonder if the MERV 8 is a good enough air filter for their homes. It's often the most affordable air filter option and, for most homes, it's an appropriate way to keep the air healthy. Filter technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, and the MERV ratings are designed to help us determine the most effective and efficient air filter options for heating, cooling and other systems.
This comparison chart helps highlight the differences between the MERV 8 and MERV 11 filters to make it easier to decide which one is best suited for your home. This means that 81.5% of the dust particles introduced to the MERV filter were successfully filtered from the air. The worst percentage of the six tests is selected as the official measure used to determine the MERV rating of a filter. Using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high is just as bad as using one that is too low. 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 clean the air.
Air filters with higher MERV ratings can filter more, but the thickness of the filter material can restrict airflow. The MERV rating indicates the efficiency of the air filter when it comes to filtering particles of certain sizes. MERV 8 air filters are almost as affordable as less efficient products, making them good value for money. It may seem that they are almost the same thing, but the MERV 8 and MERV 11 air filters have some clear differences. MERV 16 to 20 filters are generally only found in hospitals, clean rooms, and nuclear power plants. As the MERV classification system is standard, it makes it a little easier to compare filters with different MERV ratings.
For some time now, the MERV 8 and MERV 11 filters have been competing for the best MERV rating on the market. In conclusion, MERV 8 air filters are suitable for residential use as they are effective at trapping airborne contaminants such as pollen, dust mites, sawdust, mold spores and lint. They are also almost as affordable as less efficient products making them good value for money. However, if you want to further clean your home's air quality then you should consider using a higher rated filter such as MERV 11. It's important to remember that using an air filter with a MERV rating that is too high can restrict airflow so it's important to find a balance between efficiency and airflow.
