Merv 8 filters are a common choice for homes, commercial buildings, paint booths, and industrial workplaces. These filters are 90% efficient at trapping particles 3 to 10 microns in size, and are classified as a Merv 8 filter by the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA). This means that they filter at least 70% of E3 particles (3.0-10.0 µm) and 20% of E2 particles (1.0-3.0 µm). However, they are not designed to trap the smallest particles that fall into category E1, such as pet dander.
When it comes to air filtration, the Merv 5-8 range can only capture air pollutants of 3.0 microns or greater. This means that Merv 8 filters capture medium-sized particles, such as aerosols, mold and dust. For most homes, this isn't enough to protect against harmful viruses and bacteria, smoke, and other forms of air pollution. Essential was found to have a stop rate of 81.5%, meaning that 81.5% of the dust particles introduced into the filter were successfully filtered out of the air.
If you have allergies, pets, or live near smoke pollution, choosing a MERV 13 filter is the ideal choice. MERV 13 filters also remove bacteria, tobacco smoke, car fumes, insecticide dust, pet dander, and more. When it comes to choosing an air filter for residential use, the standard recommendation is to choose an oven filter with a merv index between 7 and 13. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, with 1 being the lowest level of filtration and 20 being the highest. Anything higher than a MERV 11 is designed for commercial or domestic homes with family members suffering from respiratory problems.
MERV 8 air filters are almost as affordable as less efficient products, making them good value for money. However, if you're trying to choose between a MERV 8 air filter and a MERV 11 air filter, it's important to remember that the higher the MERV rating of a filter, the less dust particles and other contaminants can pass through it. In conclusion, Merv 8 filters are good enough for an average household but may not be enough for those with allergies or respiratory problems. For these cases, it's best to opt for a higher MERV rating such as 11 or 13.
